An incredible season for the Dewar Dragons came to a close with another loss before the OSSAA State Championship. The Dragons had devoured all of their opponents leading up to the playoffs, resulting in a dominant 12-0 record and a national rank of 21.

Shutout victories weren’t uncommon this season for the Dragons, who even started with a 46-0 beatdown of Strother in Week 1. The Dragons’ dominant showing against Strother immediately set the tone for their whole season. Compared to their 2018 Week 1 opening where Strother came close to a win, 38-36, the Dragons displayed an improved defense that allowed them no opportunities on goal. The Dragons looked to Joey Fowler and Shawn Maxwell to hold down the fort defensively and the pay out was tremendous. Going up against Strother, Fowler had 11 tackles and Maxwell had nine.

With their opponents locked down, the Dragons were free to lead a big 28-point second quarter. Thomas Brownfield put the Dragons on the scoreboard with a 40-yard touchdown run, 6-0 in the first quarter. Before the end of the half, the Dragons looked to several dependable receivers and running backs to secure their win. Brownfield also chimed in with a 26-yard interception return. Fowler found success in the air with a 35-yard pass to Ty Whitlow and a 55-yard pass to Brett Hays. A 9-yard touchdown run from Shawn Maxwell sealed the Dragons’ first victory, 46-0.

The Dragons had a balanced offense with a total of 167 rushing yards and 251 passing yards, which helped them garner wins later in the season against tougher teams.

Caddo and Wetumka were easy targets for the Dragons, resulting in back-to-back landslide wins in Week 2 and 3. A great example of the Dragons’ improved defense is the Wetumka game in Week 3. Last season, Wetumka proved to be a tough opponent with the Dragons barely pulling ahead for a 58-50 win. Holding the Wetumka Chieftains to just six points, the Dragons scored a big win over a previously difficult foe, 52-6.

With a 3-0 season record, the Dragons took down the Weleetka Outlaws in a 50-point game. Not only did the Dragons have an improved defense, but had a more successful offense. While the Weleetka game in 2018 resulted in a 30-12 victory, the Dragons busted out a 74-24 win. The difference was in the number of receivers Fowler could turn to on the field. In the Weleetka game this season, Fowler had four touchdown passes, making passes to Whitlow and Kalem Carter. Freshman quarterback Tryton Mack also made a 16-yard touchdown pass to Carter, who ended the game with two touchdown receptions.

The Dragons’ energy was not dampened in the weeks following with them earning another victory over Davenport. The Bulldogs were one of two losses for the Dragons in 2018, but this season the Dragons were able to pull out a 34-14 victory.

Dewar got the lead early in the first quarter, 12-8, and quickly shutdown the Bulldogs’ offense. Davenport secured one 19-yard touchdown run and didn’t see the end zone until the fourth quarter. Looking to Carter, Whitlow and Hays, Fowler was able to get the Dragons’ on the scoreboard, 26-8 at the half. Maxwell kept the Dragons’ rushing offense active with a three-yard touchdown run and contributed 76 of the 144 rushing yards the Dragons acquired. Fowler singlehandedly posted 399 passing yards for the Dragons and delivered four touchdown passes.

The Dragons obtained a 5-0 season record as they entered Week 6 against the Cave Springs Hornets. Cave Springs marked the first of two back-to-back shutout wins. The Hornets ended their season with a 1-9 record, which was reflected in their loss to the Dragons. Dewar obtained a 38-point start in the first quarter with Fowler locking down two touchdown passes to Whitlow and four touchdown runs from Brownfield, Maxwell, Fowler and Caden Lee. The Dragons earned 300 total yards with an almost evenly split offense. They had 140 passing and 160 rushing yards against Cave Springs.

Another shutout victory put the Dragons in untouchable territory. Defeating Arkoma 49-0, the Dragons grabbed hold of a 7-0 record.

Entering Week 8, the Dragons went up against Gans and saw their shutout victories disrupted. They managed to keep their winning streak intact, however, with a 74-28 victory over the Grizzlies. After two victories where their opponents couldn’t break through their defense, the Dragons displayed a high octane offense and diligent defense. They obtained 728 total yards against the Grizzlies with the help of a 672 yard rushing offense. Maxwell led his team in rushing yards with 229 and two touchdowns, while Fowler had the most rushing touchdowns with three. Fowler also gathered up 176 rushing yards and completed one touchdown pass in the air to Whitlow. Though they were able to pull out a victory, the Dragons allowed the Grizzlies four touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown reception and an 80-yard touchdown run.

The Dragons continued their rampage in Week 9 with a 68-32 win over Keota for the OSSAA Class B District Championship.

Keota had a divisive record leading up to the matchup with a 7-1 record and held the No. 2 spot in Class B. As the No. 1 team, the Dragons had the advantage of an uncontested record and a dominant offense. Fowler earned three rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown, while Maxwell and Brownfield earned their own rushing touchdowns. The Keota Lions had a big fourth-quarter revival but couldn’t overcome the Dragons’ 44-8 lead.

Earning their District Championship, the Dragons carried their momentum into Week 10 with a shutout victory over Porum. With their fourth shutout win under their belts, the Dragons turned their sights to the playoffs. The first two rounds were easy victories for the Dragons, who defeated Wetumka 68-28 and Summit Christian 72-27. Both double digit victories put the Dragons at a 12-0 season record when they entered the OSSAA Quarter-Finals battle against Shattuck.

For the second consecutive year, the Dragons faced defeat in the quarterfinals, falling to Shattuck both times. Despite having a similar offensive showing seen in previous games this season, the Dragons failed to find the strength in their defense. Fowler obtained 336 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also led his team in rushing yards with 147, but the Shattuck Indians, who were No. 1 in the state, pulled ahead for a 62-28 victory over the Dragons.

The Indians had prevented the Dragons from entering the semi-final battle yet again and also clinched a 24-19 win in the OSSAA State Championship.

Dewar had all the moving parts for a successful season, but couldn’t find the right momentum against a longtime foe in the postseason. The Dragons ended their 2019 season with a 12-1 record and a No. 5 state ranking.