Between the dominant defense of No. 1 Dalton (12-1, 7-0) and the potent rushing attack by senior running back Greyson Siders, No. 2 Danville (13-1, 7-0) was not able to get the offense going in a 31-8 loss in the Region 25 finals to end what was a terrific Blue Devil season.
It was clear from the start that the rainy weather was going to be an issue, as the ball was slippery causing fumbles and incompletions for both teams. Both teams traded punts early, and the one by Danville backed Dalton up at the three-yard line with 5:43 on the clock. Dalton was forced to punt and Cole Delaughder came barreling in for a block, which went out the back of the end zone for a safety.
With 5:50 left in the half and a 1st and 10 at the 20 heading in, QB Colin Pearson connected across the middle to Coy Wenger who used his strength to blast into the end zone for a score making it a 7-2 game.
Danville QB Walker Weckesser threw a pick on the next drive to Kade Miller, and it was a five point lead for Dalton at halftime. Dalton allowed only 39 yards in the first half, all rushing.
The third quarter started with a 65-yard kickoff return by Cade Mullet, setting up Siders for a three-yard score with 9:30 left. With 10:30 left in the game, Russell scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass by Pearson to go up 21-2.
With 4:53 remaining, Delaughder caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Weckesser to make it 21-8. Dalton went up 24-8 with 3:45 on the clock on a field goal, and then with 2:48 left Siders scored on a 75-yard touchdown run. Weckesser tossed a deep pass intended for Delaughder with 1:32 left, but it was picked off by Wenger, and Dalton held on to win.
Delaughder led the Danville offense with 18 carries for 96 yards, and also caught two passes for 25 yards and a score. Weckesser was 6-for-16 for 63 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Danville averaged 45 points per game heading into the game, but the Bulldogs allowed just one touchdown, 59 passing yards, 111 rushing yards and forced three turnovers.
Dalton had 282 rushing yards, 35 passing yards and no turnovers. Siders led the way for Dalton with 22 carries for 180 yards and two touchdown runs.
"Tough loss on Friday night against a very good Dalton team," said Coach Matt Blum. "Although upsetting, we had a great season tying the single season record of wins with 13, first time ever winning the KMAC outright, getting to back-to-back regional finals which is the first time doing this since the early 2000s. Very proud of our senior group who have dedicated a lot to our program and will finish their career with 34 career wins."
This was the first regional title in Dalton program history, and for the second straight year Danville lost in the regional final game.
