Dalton nearly spoiled the national coming-out party of the nation's No. 1-rated football prospect, but a costly late penalty stalled a potential go-ahead drive and the Catamounts fell to Harrison 28-26 Thursday night in Kennesaw.
The win might prove costly for the Hoyas as heralded quarterback Justin Fields, who recently committed to the University of Georgia, left the ESPN2-televised game late with a hand injury. Harrison (6-2, 5-0) took sole possession of first place in Region 6-AAAAAA, while Dalton fell to 6-2, 4-1.
Before he exited, though, Fields was nearly unstoppable, accounting for more than 300 total yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run on the Hoyas' first drive and a 34-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Tyrese Brunson on the first half's final play.
Dalton dominated between those two plays, scoring 16 consecutive points on a pair of Jaymyr Gibbs touchdown runs sandwiched between a sack by Roger Quintero that resulted in a fumble and recovery by Jerry Alverado.
Ivan Mora added a field goal on the next drive, and after forcing a three-and-out defensively, the resulting Dalton drive reached the 19 before stalling. The Cats didn't capitalize, though, as the snap on the field-goal attempt was mishandled. Moments later Fields, who had 238 total yards at the half, ran for two first downs before hitting Brunson on the Hail Mary.
The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third, with J.P. Tighe's 1-yard run giving Dalton a 23-21 lead, but Fields ripped off three runs for 47 yards leading to Brunson's TD run and a 28-23 lead. The quarterback's night ended minutes later after Noah Bartoo's tackle fractured a finger on his right hand.
The Catamounts put together a lengthy drive early in the final quarter as Tighe and fullback Sebastian Oroszco had big runs. Gibbs ripped off 12 yards to the Harrison 11, and three more runs reached the 3, forcing a fourth-and-2. However, the Cats were called for illegal substitution and were forced to settle for the Mora field goal.
Harrison, even without Fields, ran off the final 4:43, converting on three third downs, to seal the win.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.