The Dawson County High School football team dropped to 1-1 in 8-AA North play with its loss to Banks County, 19-14, on Friday night.

The Tigers controlled the flow of the game through most of the first half.

Our defense was very strong in the first half and our offense was moving the ball, said coach Jeff Lee.

The Tiger defense did not give up a first down until the second quarter. Turnovers kept the game close in the first half.

We fumbled on the 1-yard line on our first drive and threw two interceptions that ended drives, Lee said.

Banks was able to drive down the field and score just as the half ended tying the game, 7-7.

We felt like we were in control for most of the half, said Lee. Momentum is a funny thing and Banks had it at halftime.

Banks struck first in the second half, but the Tigers were able to answer back and take the lead, 14-13, thanks to a missed extra point by Banks County.

A costly penalty on third down allowed Banks to go up 19-14. The Tigers got the ball back with only 37 seconds on the clock and were only able to make it to the 35-yard line before time expired.

Running back Zack Martin had a strong showing for the team picking up 144 yards rushing on 23 carries and scored both Tiger touchdowns.

You want to have a chance to win at the end of the game and we have been putting ourselves in position to win, Lee said.

The loss drops the Tigers to 2-4 on the season. This Friday the team hosts Union County at 7:30 p.m.