The North Georgia Homeschool Athletics Tribe football team gathers after winning their season-opening football game last week. - photo & article by Rio White, Dawson County News
Last week, the North Georgia Homeschool Athletics Tribe football team traveled to Cayce, South Carolina, to play their first game of the season, winning 33-0.
Despite a small roster of 21 players, the Dawsonville-based team fielded a group of hard-working young men who played both sides of the ball all night against Providence Athletic Club.
The Tribe’s offense put together a big night on the ground, totaling 207 yards among five players.
Nathan Nix led the way with 72 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Zeke Dotson punched in two scores for the Tribe. Quarterback Caleb Dill threw for 129 and two touchdowns while wide receiver Asher Harmon contributed 109 receiving yards, 24 rushing yards, a 26-yard punt return, two receiving touchdowns, and an interception on defense.
Head coach Austin Harmon was pleased with how his team competed and executed the game plan.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys tonight,” he said. “We have a ton of talent with exceptional young men. Caleb Dill did phenomenal at QB and Asher Harmon seemed to be all over the field. Nathan Nix, Zeke Dotson, Adam Kinderman and Eli Lemoine were fantastic running the ball. Overall, it was a great night. We need to clean up some of the penalties, but overall I am very pleased offensively.”
On defense, the Tribe held PAC to under 100 yards of total offense and took three interceptions (by Asher Harmon, Noah Harmon, and Owen Ott). The defense disrupted the passing game and controlled the field.
“Defensively, I think they got half of their total yards for the game in the first drive, then after that our boys really started bringing the heat,” Harmon said. “Reece Mathis, Adam Kinderman, and Jaiden Birmingham brought some high-level hits that reminded me of college. Our secondary was phenomenal too; I think we had four interceptions with one called back for roughing the passer. Even the young guys at the end did great in coverage.”
Those 21 players competing for the Tribe took on the daunting task of facing a team with more than twice as many people on its roster. But through the strong leadership of the staff and determination of the players, they brought home a win to Dawson County.
“It isn’t easy,” Harmon said. “We are really just getting started with the football program. We have 21 kids and sometimes it seems impossible. Our boys have to play both ways which means we have to be in better shape than most teams. But I think it teaches our boys that they can overcome anything with God even when the world tells them they can’t.”
North Georgia Homeschool Athletics, first covered by DCN in a 2023 article, is quickly growing in the community and currently hosts football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball teams. Their mission is to “focus on raising up young men and women that serve God and apply biblical principles to their lives through athletics.”