The season is on the line for Head Coach Jed Lacey’s varsity boys’ soccer team. The Tigers picked up two big wins last week to set up a showdown with

Riverside Military Academy for a chance to go to the state playoffs.

Dawson played a very tough Chestatee team April 14 and dominated, getting a 4-2 win. It was much of the same on Friday with the Tigers controlling the tempo and destroying Lakeview Academy, an Area 15 opponent, by a 5-0 margin.

With the two wins, Dawson currently stands at 10-4 and 5-1 in Area 15 play.

Chestatee and Dawson were tied 1-1 at halftime.

The War Eagles scored a goal early in the second half to take a 2-1 advantage.

The Tigers answered on a 25-yard blast off the foot of Ethan Brown, his first goal of the season, to tie the score 2-2.

Jose Miranda and Sam Wentworth added goals for Dawson County to pad the lead and the win.

“We play teams like Chestatee to get better and find out where we are as a team,” said Lacey. “The kids wanted this one. This game was about passion, heart and desire, and we had it all.”

The Tigers suffered a major injury during the game. Tyler Freeman may be lost for the year with a serious knee injury.

“It will be hard to replace what Tyler brings to the team, but we do not have a choice. Someone else has to pickup the sword and run with it and his name is Sam Wentworth. Sam is capable of big plays and is ready for the challenge. After Tyler went down, Sam came in and put the game out of reach with the fourth goal of the game,” Lacey said.

Alex Cote had three assists and Jose Miranda picked up an assist for the Tigers.

Against Lakeview the Tigers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead.

The game gave Lacey a chance to rest some of his regulars and get his younger players some much needed playing time.

Scoring machine, Mauricio Escobar, set a new school record for goal scoring after recording his 16th and 17th goals of the season.

Junior Jose Miranda set a new school record for goals by a freshman with his 13th goal of the season.

Freshman Josh Lund picked up his first varsity goal in the second half.

“We dominated the game from the whistle. That was the most out of control team I have ever played against. I was just glad we got out of there without an injury,” Lacey said.

Dawson had a commanding 3-0 lead at the half. The Tigers tallied a fourth goal early in the second half to put the game out of reach.

The Tigers have only two seniors on the team and play six freshmen regularly. The ninth graders are lead by Jose Miranda, Gunnar Armstrong, Larry Florentine, Chris Bywaletz, Jacob Picklesimer and Josh Lund.

The season comes down to one game with Riverside Military Academy.

Last season Riverside eliminated Dawson County from the playoffs.

“Our kids are hungry and want to go to state. They remember the hurt from losing last year’s game. Riverside is a very good team and one of us will stay at home,” said Lacey.

The game is scheduled for today, results were not available at press time.