Dawson County Tigers 2016 Football Schedule
Aug 26 vs. Forsyth Central
Sept. 2 at Chattooga
Sept. 16 @ West Hall
Sept. 23 vs. White County
Sept. 30 @ North Hall
Oct. 7 @ Union County
Oct. 14 @ Fannin County
Oct. 21 @ East Hall
Oct. 28 vs. Lumpkin County
Nov. 4 vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
*Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
With a little more than a month until the Dawson County High School Tigers officially kick off against Forsyth Central, Coach Sid Maxwell is content with the efforts throughout summer practices.
"It's been great," Maxwell said. "We have just been training and organizing.
"I know as a football coach, you make a better athlete, you make a better football player."
Turn out over the summer has been good, according to Maxwell.
On a daily basis the program has seen around 115-125 kids out on the fields despite summer vacations and family commitments.
During last Thursday's practice, the eighth and ninth grade teams played 7-on-7 against Riverwatch Middle School from Forsyth County. The coaching staff was pleased with what they saw.
"It went well with Riverwatch I thought," said offensive coordinator Andy LeBlanc. "We faced them a couple of weeks ago and I was happy with the progress made.
"The kids here in Dawson are great. They listen to coaching so well and that's a blessing for a coach."
Maxwell said that he doesn't put too much emphasis on 7-on-7 type events. At this point in his career he doesn't believe he's seen the evidence that those make much of an impact.
"I don't know how much you actually get better from doing all that," he said. "If I could equate, you do three of these and it will equate to six points extra, I'd do three of those."
Maxwell prefers to stick to what has worked-speed.
"I believe in being fast. I don't care how long they run, just as long as they can get there," he said.
The former biology major also puts a big emphasis on proper stretching and technique.
"We do a lot of prehab, everything long and strong on stretching because when you get hurt it is usually because you are overextended."
The team will travel to scrimmage North Oconee on Aug. 5.
"I don't worry too much about scrimmages," Maxwell said. "I don't worry too much about non-region games. Those four games give us a chance to play some guys and prepare for the season. For me the season starts when you hit region so you can get to game 11."