Dalton's Kelvis Rhodes (21) cuts upfield for a touchdown as teammate Keith Adams, at right, opens a hole blocking a Salem defender just before the half at Harmon Field in Dalton.DALTON 23, SALEM 6Stars: Kelvis Rhodes and Tyler Nolan were an effective rushing tandem for the Catamounts with 130 and 100 yards.Up next: Dalton (9-2) will take on Northside Warner Robins next week. Salem's season ends at 6-5.
DALTON, Ga. - Dalton's and Salem's football teams exchanged words as they lined up to take the field, and once the opening whistle sounded, words turned to action. After all of the crushing hits and broken tackles were delivered, the host Catamounts had the final say with a 23-6 Georgia Class AAAAA playoff win Friday night.
In what was expected to be a high-scoring game, the defenses took center stage in the biting cold, and the script was flipped from shootout to hard-nosed grind.
"We knew coming in that it was going to be a slobber-knocker," Dalton coach Matt Land said. "Our kids worked hard to get here, and I'm excited for them."
The Catamounts took the opening possession down the field, but a sturdy Seminoles defense held them to a 22-yard field goal. Both teams traded big plays, marching toward the end zone before finding a defensive barrier instead.
The Seminoles knotted the game at 3 in the second quarter before the Catamounts made a long gain count. Kelvis Rhodes, who came in after missing a quarter and a half, surged ahead for 21 yards and punched it in from the 3-yard line one play later with just under four minutes to play in the half.
Another Khimahni Brooks field goal cut the lead to 10-6 heading into the locker room. Salem outgained the home team 198-114 in the first half but despite converting three fourth-downs into firsts could not put a touchdown on the board.
"We didn't finish. That's been our thing this season," said Seminoles coach John Starr. "[Dalton] did a good job keeping us in front of them. We knew they would be a bend, don't-break defense. You have to finish."
The Salem defense followed suit, and unrest started to build around the home team's stadium, as a team that was used to putting points on the board was held to 10 through three quarters of play.
"We're used to being a fast-scoring offense, and you kind of get spoiled with that," Land said. "In the playoffs, you're going to see great teams, and it's going to be tough."
Pressure mounted with Salem sitting on the Dalton 16-yard line and the guests' first lead in sight. After Salem converte its first four, on another fourth down, the Catamounts defense stood in the way once again. This time, the Seminoles could not move the sticks.
With the ball back in their hands, the Catamounts moved across midfield and Rhodes took care of the rest. He shed multiple defenders and shifted into high gear to rack up 41 of his 130 yards on the way to the end zone.
Leading 17-6, Dalton then picked off a tipped pass and put the game away. Payton Veraldi connected with Zek Cobb, who broke a few tackles of his own. The Seminoles could not answer, as another pass was intercepted, and the Catamounts were able to run the clock out.
"The defense really stepped up, and the offense was able to capitalize," Land said. "That's teamwork."
Tyler Nolan also reached the century mark with 10 carries for the Catamounts. Cobb led the way receiving with five catches and 81 yards.
The Seminoles offense was paced by quarterback Gerald Walker, who racked up 272 yards through the air. He completed 24 of his 40 passes. Kanome McIntosh caught nine for 108 yards.
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com