It was a classic battle between two county rivals last Saturday evening at Tiger Stadium. Anytime Dawson County and Riverview middle schools play the outcome usually comes down to the fourth quarter.

Such was the case on Saturday. The Riverview Eagles scored the winning touchdown with 3:10 left in the game on a 6-yard run by running back Levi Whitmire. The extra point was bobbled and Riverview held a 6-3 lead.

Dawson County Middle School Head Coach Thomy Edwards’ team wasn’t finished yet. The Tigers took the ensuing kickoff and marched back down the field as time was running out.

Dawson quarterback Brody Chester connected with wide receiver Jackson Morgan on a 21-yard pass down to the Riverview 19-yard line with 1:36 to play.

The clock continued to run as the Tigers had no more timeouts. After two running plays, the Tigers tried the same pass play to Morgan. The eighth grade wide receiver beat the coverage as Chester lofted the ball into the air. The pass was a little overthrown and grazed off the fingertips of Morgan before landing on the turf.

Edwards decided to try a field goal from 25-yards out. The strategy worked just before halftime as the Tiger kicker connected from 17-yards out to give Dawson a 3-0 lead as time expired to end the second quarter.

The big crowd rose to their feet as the snap was placed down and Dawson’s kicker struck the ball. Every eye in the stadium was watching the ball as it seemed on course to split the upright. A gasp from the Tiger faithful let everyone know that the kick was no good missing just to the left  and sealing the 6-3 Eagle win.

Riverview took over possession kneeling on the ball as time expired.

Eagle Head Coach Mark Thomason and his team celebrated.

“Both teams played really hard,” Thomason said. “Anybody could have come away with this win.”

After the game Dawson County High School Head Coach Jeff Lee spoke to both teams in the middle of the field. He congratulated both Riverview and Dawson on a great game.

Between the two teams over 90 players took part in the annual game.

According to coaches, this speaks well for the future of Dawson County football, since all players will eventually attend Dawson County High School.

Dawson County will be back in action this Thursday with a game against Fannin County at Sandy Walls Memorial Field.

The Eagles will travel to Jasper Middle School for a game against a very tough Dragons team Thursday.

Both games will kickoff at 5 p.m.