Dalton blanks Woodland to clinch state playoff berth

October 31, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Sophomore RB Solomon James eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing milestone in the Wildcats' home loss to Dalton on October 30. RANDY PARKER / DTN

The Dalton Catamounts punched their ticket to the state playoffs with a commanding 49-0 victory over the Woodland Wildcats on Thursday night at Wildcats Stadium, securing the final playoff spot from Region 7-AAAA. The Catamounts will enter the Class AAAA postseason as the No. 4 seed and travel to face top-ranked Creekside on November 14.

Dalton (3-7, 3-3) wasted no time asserting control, scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter to build a 21-0 lead. 

The onslaught began at the 10:45 mark when the Catamounts took the opening kickoff and marched 51 yards in four rushing plays, capped by running back Nash Smith's 8-yard touchdown run. Kicker Julian Villa converted the first of his seven perfect PATs to make it 7-0.

After Woodland turned the ball over on downs at their own 46-yard line, Dalton struck again.  Quarterback Caine Woods connected with Landon Cox on a 20-yard touchdown pass to complete a seven-play, 46-yard drive at the 5:12 mark, pushing the lead to 14-0.

Korbyn Jarrett is brought down after a catch vs. Dalton on October 30. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Woodland's ensuing three-and-out paved the way for Dalton's third score. Woods found Clayton Thompson for a 31-yard touchdown strike with 13 seconds left in the quarter, wrapping up a six-play, 62-yard drive and extending the margin to 21-0.

The second quarter belonged to Dalton's opportunistic offense, fueled by a trio of Woodland turnovers. At the 3:01 mark, Smith powered in from 7 yards out to finish a six-play, 26-yard drive, making it 28-0.

Woodland QB Sammy Ray IV scrambles to his right vs. Dalton on October 30. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Woodland fumbled the kickoff return, and on Dalton's very next snap, Smith broke free for a 23-yard touchdown run at 2:39, ballooning the lead to 35-0.

Defender Damoni Black then picked off a Woodland pass, setting up a five-play, 48-yard drive that Woods capped with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kamdon London at the 1:02 mark. The Catamounts headed to halftime with a 42-0 advantage.

A running clock ruled the second half as Black notched his second interception early in the third quarter. That led to Dalton's lone score of the half—a five-play, 59-yard drive ending with Woods' 14-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Summey at the 4:48 mark, finalizing the 49-0 score.

Head coach Andy Scott looks on during the Wildcats' game vs. Dalton on October 30. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Woodland managed a late threat, driving to the Dalton 1-yard line in the fourth quarter but coming up empty on downs. The Wildcats struggled all night with four turnovers, including three in the second quarter alone.

A positive note for Woodland came from sophomore running back Solomon James, who surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing milestone for the season, though exact totals were unavailable.

Dalton now turns its focus to the playoffs, while Woodland closes out a challenging 2-8 campaign.

~~ Stuart Morse contributed to this report.