Dawson throws for 5, runs for one
WAYNESBURG – Under an overcast sky Waynesburg University quarterback Brad Dawson was illuminating. The junior quarterback dissected Hanover’s defense for five touchdowns and scored on the ground as the Yellow Jackets thumped the Panthers, 49-21.
Dawson completed 20-of-31 attempts for 362 yards and all of the points came in the second half with the exception of an 18-yard touchdown grab by Josh Fisher with 59 seconds left in the first half for a 14-7 lead.
Waynesburg Central graduate and senior All-American returner Scott Cree posted a school record 100-yard interception at 12:07 of the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
“I was just thinking the whole time I hope he doesn’t catch me,” said Cree. “I didn’t know how close the wide receiver was. Dylan August told me up field to just go and I knew I had the blocks.”
A block in the back erased an 85-yard return for Cree with five second remaining in the first half.
The Panthers tied the game at 14-14 on the previous series with Jake Cook hauling in a nine-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Croft.
Dawson would connect with Brent Heckel for an 18-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-14 lead that the Yellow Jackets never gave up.
Dawson would connect with Bobby Francis for an 18-yard score and with Ray Hightower II for a 36-yard bomb to take a 35-21 lead with 4:24 left in the third quarter and finished off the quarter with a one-yard plunge to give the Yellow Jackets a 42-21 lead.
Meanwhile, senior punter Nate Feniello would help the Yellow Jacket cause with his legs in a different way with a 32-yard scamper to the Panthers 20-yard line on a fake punt.
“We practice those type of things,” said Waynesburg coach Rick Shepas. “We wanted to stay aggressive and benefited from the fact that he played quarterback in a triple option system so he knew how to run.”
Dawson would score the final touchdown with a 20-yard pass to Tom Hudson on the next play with 11:47 left in the game.
“We just didn’t have answer the second half,” said Hanover coach Joe Austin. “We just couldn’t stop them. We’re a young team and right now we have issues keeping it together for a whole game.”