TUNNEL HILL, Ga. – As a former defensive back in high school and college, Matt Land bristled at the idea that Friday night’s intracounty showdown with Northwest Whitfield would be an offensive showcase.
The Dalton coach needn’t have worried – the Catamounts’ defense put the clamps on the Bruins’ high-powered attack and the offense woke up enough in the second half to post a 10-3 win.
“I felt it would be a low-scoring game, at least from our defensive standpoint,” said Land, whose team held Northwest to 286 total yards and just 76 in a scoreless first half. “I loved our kids’ efforts. The execution wasn’t there, especially on offense, but the kids’ efforts overcame the execution problems.”
After a first half in which the Cats (2-0) managed just three first downs and 63 total yards against a stunting front seven, Dalton’s offense – after a stiff chewing from the coaching staff – went 78 yards on its first possession of the third quarter. A quick hitch to the right sideline on second down to Zeke Cobb set the wheels in motion for the game’s biggest play.
Two plays later, Dalton quarterback J.P. Tighe looked left, pumped right and hit Cobb in stride at the 20-yard line. The 6-foot-4 senior got out of one potential tackle and pushed through another to score from 44 yards out.