Coach Thomy Edwards' Dawson County Middle School football team is headed to the championship game.

The Tigers controlled both sides of the ball in a 28-0 win over Fannin County at Sandy Wall Stadium in Dawsonville last week.

The Tigers will get a rematch with Clear Creek.

Clear Creek defeated Dawson County two weeks ago in double overtime by a 6-0 score.

"We have to eliminate penalties. All those penalties from a couple of weeks ago," Edwards said. "I believe when we played them the first time we had over a hundred yards of penalties. That really killed us because we could not get anything going on offense because it always put us in long yardage situations. If we can stop the penalties and turnovers then we have a great shot at winning."

Dawson County took advantage of three first quarter turnovers by Fannin to take a quick 14-0 advantage Sept. 27.

Tiger defender Hunter Lebaron recovered a fumble after the Rebels completed a long pass that gave Dawson County the ball on the team's own 49-yard line with 4:52 remaining in the quarter.

The Tigers took advantage of a 29-yard touchdown run by Taylor Cronan to post the first score.

Hunter Burt converted on the 2-point conversion to give Dawson County a quick 8-0 lead.

Tre' Arnold scored Dawson's second score off of a fumble recovery in the end zone on a botched toss by Fannin.

With 2:41 remaining Dawson held a 14-0 advantage.

Dawson County defender Kolton Brumbelow intercepted an errant Rebel pass on Fannin's next possession at the 29-yard line with 2:15 to go in the first quarter.

The Tigers couldn't take advantage of the interception. Dawson County fumbled at Fannin's 17-yard line to give the ball right back to the Rebels.

Neither team could muster any offense in the second quarter.

Dawson took a two touchdown lead into halftime.

Edwards' team scored the only touchdown of the third quarter.

Burt took a handoff from quarterback Colin Glover and powered into the end zone with 4:19 remaining to give Dawson a commanding 20-0 lead after the 2-point conversion was not successful.

The Tigers sealed the game with a 39-yard touchdown run by Hunter Lebaron in the fourth quarter. The 2-point conversion was good amd gave Dawson the 28-0 win.

"Our defense has played well all season," Edwards said. "We have made sure we have paid attention to tackling and flying to the football. Those were a couple of things from last year that we did not do very well. We have made sure to practice those things every day at practice. It has really paid off for us because our defense has kept us in every game."

Edwards said his team has a tall task ahead of them if they hope to take down Clear Creek.

"In order to beat Clear Creek, we have to play mistake free, no fumbles, no penalties. If we stick to our game plan, then we will win. It's going to be a close game, both teams are well coached with great players on both sides of the ball. They may have a little advantage because they don't have as many kids going both ways, but our kids have been conditioned all year. We are looking forward to the game because this is where life's lessons are learned," Edwards said.

Kick off for the championship game is set for 5 p.m. Thursday at Clear Creek Middle School.