The Dawson County Middle School football team mounted an impressive 48-26 win over Pickens Middle School Thursday and is now 3-0 on the season.

"The team played great," said Head Coach Benjy Edwards. "Offensively we were able to hit several big plays to score or set up our touchdowns."

After a Pickens punt, Tigers running back Luke Smith went 70-yards on the first play from scrimmage for a touchdown.

The PAT was good by kicker Frankie Muldoon. Dawson led 7-0.

The Dawson defense came up strong on Pickens County next offensive possession forcing a second punt.

"The defense came out on fire the first half. It actually hurt our defense a little with all the big plays on offense because they could not get any rest. They were on the field most of the night," Edwards said.

After a delayed game due to lightening, play resumed with Tigers quarterback Trey Pruitt hitting receiver Robbie Rarick on a pass in the flats to get the Tigers inside the Dragons' 5-yardline.

A penalty on the next play moved Dawson County back five yards. Smith would cap off the drive with his second score on a 9-yard run.

Muldoon added the PAT to make the score 14-0.

The Tigers defense forced a turnover on the Dragons' next possession.

Pruitt connected with Ryan Glass on a 52-yard pass. Glass leapt high to catch the pass and outran the Pickens defenders for a touchdown.

The PAT was blocked, Dawson 20 Pickens 0.

The Tigers would score again before halftime on a 10-yard touchdown run by Shawn Thomas.

Muldoon added the extra point, 27-0.

Luke Smith took the opening kickoff to start the second half 71-yards for his third scored of the game. The rout was on.

Dawson County would add touchdowns by Rarick from 15-yards out and Shawn Thomas on a 4-yard run in the second half.

Thomas would also intercept the ball late in the fourth quarter to stop a Pickens' drive.

The Dawson offense would get a first down and then run the clock out.

"I think we got a little tired in the third quarter but managed to come up with some big stops and turnovers. I didn't think the game was ever going to end. The third quarter looked like a track meet with all the big plays from both teams,"

Pruitt, starting quarterback, who left last week's game with an injured arm, is questionable for Thursday's game against undefeated Clear Creek in Ellijay. and Pruitt has an injured arm and his status for this week's game is unsure according to Coach Edwards.

Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.