(Photo by Lloyd Hendricks)
Time passes by quickly as Dawson head coach Mike Allison begins his sixth year at the helm of the Dawson football program.
Allison has certainly continued the foundation that was laid when the school opened in 2007 with former head coach Eric Wells in charge.
Coach Allison has posted a 40-17 record for his first five years while also advancing to the area round of the playoffs all five seasons.
The 2022 season began with an uncharacteristic 0-3 non-district start, but Allison rallied his troops to win the next six out of eight games to finish 6-1 in district with their only loss to Shadow Creek 16-10 which could have easily turned out in favor of the Eagles.
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.
(Photo by Lloyd Hendricks)
The Eagles will have a strong non-district schedule again as they will face the same three teams they played last season. Dawson is a pre-season pick to finish second in the District 23-6A title race.
The Eagles will play the Hightower Hurricanes (9-3), the Klein Collins Tigers (10-2), and the Tomball Cougars (8-5). These three teams were a combined 27-10 in 2022 with all three teams advancing to the post-season. This schedule will prepare Dawson for district competition.
Dawson returns four offensive and nine defensive starters as well as 31 lettermen from a 6-5 team in 2022 that advanced to the bi-district round of the playoffs.
One of the key losses on offense was three-year starting quarterback and Texas Wesleyan commit Colin Johnson. However, Allison believes that QB Gage Greene (6-2, 180) will be able to step in and provide the leadership and skill set for the Eagles offense.
“Gage (Greene) had a strong spring showing and I believe he has the talent to take over at quarterback,” Allison said. “The players have a lot of confidence in him and I like what I saw in our spring game.
“He is an unselfish leader of this team that will be a big part of the success we are looking for on offense.”
Greene will have a lot of help as senior running back Bryce Burgess (5-6, 160, 4.5) returns to lead the ground attack. Burgess was named the District 23-6A “Offensive Player of the Year” last season. He rushed for 1,023 yards on 141 carries (7.3 yards per carry) and scored 16 touchdowns while he also caught 21 passes for 164 yards and two scores.
“Offensively, we have some dynamic athletes in the skill positions,” Allison said. “They have the ability to line up in different positions and do some different things to help the team.
“We have some experience coming back on the O-Line, and have a few of the underclassmen stepping up and competing for the open spots.”
Another offensive weapon returning is Tony Robertson III who will make an impact on that side of the ball for the Eagles.
“Tony will be returning from a season-ending injury that happened Week One of last season,” Allison said. “He will be a three-year letterman, that will be hungry to show what he can do.”
Other players on offense that Allison will be looking for a strong season include WR Braylon Howard, WR Joseph Brown, and OL Torion Armelin.
The strength of the Eagles to begin the season will be the nine defensive starters who will set the pace early.
“The two holes we have to fill are at nose guard and linebacker,” Allison said. “We have a few players competing for the position at nose, and expect Hudson Windsor, who started at linebacker last year, to step into that vacant spot.”
The defensive foundation will begin with the two bookend defensive ends in Charles Anderson (6-7, 245) who had 45 stops, seven TFL, and two sacks and Edward Smith (6-6, 240) who had 24 tackles, eight TFL, and two sacks. Both have committed to Texas Tech.
Other key defensive standouts include first-team All-District Bryson Burgess (5-6, 165) who had 50 solo stops, 18 assists, one TFL last season. DB Max Menedez (5-10, 170) who had 31 tackles, and one sack. DB Chase Davis (5-10, 165) and DB Gabe McFarland (5-10, 160) who had 41 tackles seven TFL, and one sack. LB Jerimiah Treadaway LB Hudson Winsor, and LB Jordan Harrison.
“Harrison (LB) is an athletic linebacker that will be one of our returners this season,” Allison pointed out. “He has worked hard this offseason and has added 10-15 pounds without losing any speed.”
Dawson will also have a proven placekicker in junior Ayden Treadaway who can make the pressure PATs and FGs when called upon in the clutch.
“I expect the Dawson Eagles to be successful,” Allison said. “Everyone wants to win district, make a long run in the playoffs, and win a state title.
“Our district has some very good coaching staffs and talented athletes on each team. I believe that there are going to be difficult battles each week. We will play hard, be disciplined in the things we do, and be fun to watch.”
2023 Dawson Eagles Football Schedule
Sat. 8/26 Hightower Away 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 9/2 Klein Collins Away 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 9/9 Tomball Home 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 9/16 OPEN
Fri. . 9/22 *Alief Hastings Home 7:00 p.m.
Thur. 9/28 *Alief Taylor Away 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 10/6 *Strake Jesuit Home 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 10/13 *Pearland Home 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 10/20 *Shadow Creek Home 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 10/27 *Alief Elsik Away 7:00 p.m.
Thur. 11/2 *Alvin Home 7:00 p.m.
* Denotes District 23-6A Game
