It has been four years since Dawson head coach Mike Allison took over the helm of the Dawson football fortunes, and he has certainly continued the foundation that was laid when the school opened in 2007 with former head coach Eric Wells in charge.
Coach Allison was a part of the beginning for the Eagles as the defensive coordinator, so he was no stranger to Dawson upon returning to the Eagles after a short absence for three-years as the head coach at Clear Brook High School.
This will be the fifth year for coach Allison after posting a 34-12 record for his first four years while also advancing to the area round of the playoffs all four seasons.
Coach Allison is always the first to give credit to his players and dedicated coaching staff regarding their accomplishments. The players and coaches know how to get along with one another which is a great asset when transferring information to young high school players.
The Eagles have always been a team that will be highly competitive no matter who they are playing. While they may play a team with more talent, Dawson will never be out coached which stood true with former head coach Eric Wells and now, with coach Allison and his staff.
The Eagles will have a strong non-district schedule as the Eagles will play the Hightower Hurricanes (11-3), the Klein Collins Tigers (6-5), and the Tomball Cougars (11-4). These three teams were a combined 28-12 in 2021 with Tomball advancing to the 6A DII state semifinals. This schedule will prepare Dawson for district competition.
Looking forward to the 2022 football season, Dawson returns six offensive and seven defensive starters with 30 returning lettermen on a team that was 8-4Olast season while advancing to the 6A DII area round.
Dawson is a pre-season pick to finish second in District 23-6A behind Shadow Creek, but they were a pre-season pick to finish third in 2020, but they went undefeated in league play to win the district championship. They have captured the league title the past two out of three years.
Offensively, the Eagles should be experienced with a wealth of talent starting with three-year starting quarterback senior Colin Johnson who was 143-of-243 passing for 2,044 yards, 17 TDs and only 2 INTs last season. Johnson also rushed for a pair of touchdowns. While he has a strong arm through the airways, Dawson would really benefit Johnson’s ability to also run the ball when that would be a better option to keep drives alive making him a dual threat on offense.
Another big-time player is junior running back Bryce Burgess who was named the district’s “Offensive Newcomer of the Year” last year after rushing for 1,423 yards on 190 carries for 16 TDs while catching nine passes for 79 yards and two scores. Burgess is a threat to score every time he carries the ball.
Other players that will give Dawson an explosive offense are OL Grant Petru (6-2, 275), TE Charles Anderson (6-6, 225), RB/LB Jeremiah Treadway (5-9, 170), and OL David Escobedo.
Defensively, the Eagles should be strong, especially at the beginning of the season. Leading the way for Dawson will be LB Jackson Cody (6-1, 220) who had 88 tackles, 15 stops for loss, 3 sacks, and 1 INT. DL Chris Herpin (6-1, 305) will also be a force on that side of the ball.
Other standout players include: DL Edward Smith (6-6, 230), DB Max Menendez (5-10, 165), and DB Bryson Burness.
Pre-season prediction for District 23-6: Shadow Creek is a pre-season pick to capture the league crown again followed by Dawson, Pearland, Strake Jesuit, Alief Taylor, Alvin, Alief Hastings, and Alief Elsik.
