Dalton holds off Coffee County in Georgia quarterfinals, 30-28

DALTON 30, COFFEE COUNTY 28

The star: The Dalton special teams had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, a blocked field goal and a 45-yard punt return to lead the victory. Up next: Dalton (13-0) will host Valdosta (12-1) next in a state semifinal next Friday night.

DALTON, Ga. - Dalton High School football coach Matt Land was so overcome with emotion after the game that he couldn't hold back the tears.

His Catamounts held off a furious comeback by visiting Coffee County to win 30-28 Friday night at Harmon Field and advance to the GHSA AAAAAA semifinals.

"They've got more fight in them than anybody I know," said Land, pausing several times to collect himself. "It is truly an honor it's an honor for me to be their head coach."

Once again, Dalton (13-0) leaned on its special teams and defense to defeat Coffee County (7-6). The Trojans outgained Dalton by more than 200 yards, but the Catamounts came up with big play after big play all night.

The teams traded punches to open the game, as both took their opening drives down the field for touchdowns. Dalton's Ahmaad Tanner opened the scoring with a 12-yard run just two minutes into the game, only to have the Trojans answer a couple of minutes later.

Momentum swung on a special-teams play at the end of the first quarter as a punt blocked by Jai'den Montgomery was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Matthew Howell, giving the Cats a 13-7 lead.

The Trojans took the ball down the field again on their next possession, but Dalton's defense solidified and the Cats came up with yet another big special-teams play with senior Maddux Houghton's blocked field goal.

"They're not called average team - they're called special team for a reason," Land said. "Special guys make special plays."

The Trojans moved the ball throughout the game, but Dalton's defense had three interceptions and one fumble recovery, all in Dalton territory. The Catamounts also stopped the Trojans on two fourth-down attempts.

Dalton running back Tanner had 28 carries for 234 yards and three touchdowns. The Catamounts had only 36 yards through the air.

Dalton almost let the lead slip away as Coffee County scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. But the comeback came up just short as a 2-point conversion was batted down with just over three minutes left, and the defense held one more time on the final drive that ended with a Houghton interception.

"We had a huge lead," Houghton said. "I think we lost focus just a little bit, but then we came out with a win."

"We knew it was going to be a tough game coming in," said Kyric McGowan, senior wide receiver and defensive back said. "It's real fun when you come out with a win in a game like this."

Land had another exciting moment as he conducted the coin toss to determine home-field advantage via Skype after the game. Another cheer from him and the team went up as Dalton won the toss and will host Valdosta (12-1) next Friday night.

"Valdosta's coming here to play us," Land said. "I'm just a blessed man to be able to be a part of what's happening here with this football team."

Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com

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