Dalton strikes early, pulls away from Woodland

October 17, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Dalton built a commanding halftime lead and continued to pull away in the second half Friday night, handing Woodland a 62-6 defeat at Harmon Field at Bill Chappel Stadium.

The victory improved the Catamounts to 6-1, while the Wildcats fell to 2-5.

Dalton took control early, leading 10-0 in the first quarter. Julian Villa opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal with 8:06 remaining, then quarterback Caine Woods connected with Akeem Cox for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 49 seconds left in the period. Villa added the extra point.

Villa extended the lead with a 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter, and Dalton struck for another big play when Woods found Cox for an 81-yard touchdown pass with 4:39 remaining in the half.

Woods added a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 29 seconds left to make it 27-0. Just 12 seconds later, Dalton's Drayden Gazaway returned a Woodland fumble 20 yards for another touchdown, sending the Catamounts into halftime with a 34-0 advantage.

Dalton continued its offensive surge after the break. Woods threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Havyn Searels with 11:03 remaining in the third quarter, and Bronx Stallion followed with a 42-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 48-0.

Woods connected with Ayden Ashlock on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 3:22 left in the third quarter, pushing Dalton's advantage to 55-0.

Woodland got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when Hayden Collins scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 8:55 remaining. The Wildcats' extra-point attempt failed, leaving Dalton up 55-6.

The Catamounts added the game's final points with 47 seconds remaining when reserve quarterback Hudson Ruppert threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Clayton Thompson, completing the 62-6 victory.

Woodland will look to rebound next Friday, Oct. 23, when the Wildcats travel to Cedartown.

Dalton will host Villa Rica on Friday, Oct. 23.

~~ Stuart Morse contributed to this report.