Photo by Bob Fraley-The Newnan Times-Herald

 

As Jonquel Dawson hobbled off the field Friday night, there to help his star quarterback, and his sprained right ankle, was his head coach Mike Carson. This wasn’t the first time the pair helped each other out.

One of Carson’s first decisions as the new head coach at Avondale High School was to anoint a freshman as his starting quarterback. “I could see Jonquel’s potential,” Carson said. “First, he had to get better in the classroom.” Early on Dawson struggled in the class and on the field, yet Carson stuck with him. Dawson said of his coach, “Honestly, if it wasn’t for coach, I probably wouldn’t even be playing ball anymore.”

After Dawson’s sophomore year, Carson was offered the job he had always wanted, the head coaching position at M.L. King High School.  Jonquel knew there were no quarterbacks on his coach’s new roster, so he offered to go with him to MLK. Without hesitation, Carson accepted.

Over the last two years, Dawson has moved into third place for touchdown passes in state history and is the all-time passing leader in Dekalb County history. Last night, Dawson got off to a shaky start, but connected for touchdowns on the last play of regulation and in overtime. Now the Lions will face the defending state champion Brookwood Broncos in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Most importantly for Coach Carson, Jonquel’s hard work has given him an opportunity to go to college through scholarship. When Carson was asked about Dawson’s maturation he said, “I never had a doubt.”