Dawson edges No. 23 Shadow Creek 30-27 in double overtime

October 1, 2025

The pre-season forecast for the Dawson Eagles was not real positive since so many seniors had graduated from last year's team that finished 6-4 and missed the playoffs for the first time since moving up to Class 6A.

Those not familiar with the Dawson football program under the guidance of head coach Mike Allison haven't figured out that his guidance features more than x's and o's as he leads his young warriors into battle each week.

"The win against Shadow Creek was good because it showed the kids that their work and belief in each other will pay off," said head coach Mike Allison. "There is a process that we follow each week, no matter who the opponent is, and trust in that process leads to success.

"I am proud of the coaches and players for believing in each other and continuing to encourage each other through the highs and lows we went through.

"Galatians 6:9 is a verse I reference quite a bit. We must not grow weary of doing good because our harvest comes on Friday nights. Our preparation and attention to detail must be good if we want to harvest a win."

That hard work and faith in each other paid off against Shadow Creek (3-2, 2-1) in the 30-27 double overtime district win as the Sharks were favored to win the game.

The Eagles (4-1, 3-0) beat the Sharks in their first-ever contest 31-28 in overtime in 2020. Since that time, Shadow Creek has posted four straight wins including a 25-23 double OT win in 2023.

Now, Dawson is tied with cross-town cousin Pearland atop the district leaderboard at 3-0 and the annual PearBowl between the two schools is this Friday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Pearland ISD Stadium. This game may decide the District 22-6A champion.

The Eagles hold a 6-5 edge over the Oilers though Pearland won last year's contest 42-29 in a hard-fought battle.

Dawson enters the contest battle tested this year and one of the key players coach Allison will be depending on is senior kicker Noah Abela who booted a 20-yard field goal in double overtime to give the Eagles the 30-27 district win. He also kicked field goals of 43 and 42-yards during regulation.

Abela, who replaced last year's kicker Ayden Treadaway (Air Force), has already proven his value to the team this season.

The two teams ended in regulation tied at 20-20 and then each team scored in the first overtime to enter the second overtime tied at 27-27.

Dawson's defense rose to the occasion and stopped the Sharks from scoring in the second OT. Shadow Creek did score but a holding penalty nullified the score to place the ball at the 17.

The Sharks threw three incomplete passes and turned the ball over to the Eagles.

On their possession, Dawson ran the ball to the three-yard line in four plays and on third and goal, Abela entered the game to calmly boot a 20-yard field goal for the game winner.

The score was 10-6 at the end of the first quarter in favor of Dawson as Abela booted a 43-yard field goal to make the score 3-0 and Shadow Creek responded with 7-play, 75-yard scoring drive making the score 6-3 with 7:02 remaining in the period. The Sharks missed the PAT.

The Eagles answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive capped off with a 15-yard touchdown run by Greg Earl to recapture the lead 10-6 with 1:22 left.

Dawson scored in the second quarter when Abela booted his second field goal covering 42-yards for a 13-6 advantage.

With 4:53 left in the second quarter, the Eagles found paydirt again when QB Luke Brown pitched the ball to RB Corey Brown who pitched the ball to WR Calvin Wesley who threw a scoring strike to junior TE Braxton Coleman in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown. Abela hit the PAT and Dawson had a 20-6 lead.

Shadow Creek would score late in the second quarter making it 20-12 at intermission in favor of the Eagles after missing the extra point.

The Sharks scored once in the second half in the third period and made the two-point conversion to tie up the game at 20-20 which sent the game into extra periods.

"Each week brings new challenges that we must find ways to prepare for," coach Allison said. "We do our best to stay in the present and prepare for what is immediately in front of us.

"I believe we are in a good place by having a consistent routine each week. The young men in our program are showing a strong commitment to each other in their preparation for the opponents we face."

QB Luke Brown was 14-of-21 passing for 125 yards while gaining 16 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Earl had 16 carries for 96 yards and one score while Corey Brown had eight totes for 41 yards and a TD.

Corey Brown had four catches for 49 yards, Josiah McFarland had three grabs for 34 yards, Wesley had four catches for 22 yards, Jaden Williams had 2 grabs for 21 yards, and Colvin had one catch for 16 yards and a score.

"We need to make sure we hold on to the ball offensively and continue to work on taking care of our defensive assignments," Allison said. "On special teams, we need to improve on our kickoff coverage and make sure we are holding strong on our field goal extra point team.

"I believe we have improved each week and hope that we are able to continue to grow closer as a FAMILY."

Pearland and Dawson will play this week in the annual PearBowl at Pearland ISD Stadium on Friday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m.