DAWSONVILLE — Chestatee's defense returned four of its five interceptions for touchdowns in a 55-7 rout of host Dawson County on Friday at Tiger Stadium.

Free safety and quarterback Scott Chewning picked off three passes, returning two for scores of 98 and 74 yards.

Chewning also ran for a touchdown and passed for a score to help the War Eagles put up their most points since a 57-0 win over Gilmer in 2008.

The 55 points is the most Dawson County has surrendered at home under coach Jeff Lee.

Chestatee (2-1) jumped out to an early 12-0 lead on a Montrai Tate 1-yard score and a 46-yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Chewning to Alex Moore.

Dawson County (0-3) answered with 18-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Dominy to Bruce Clark to make it 12-7 early in the second quarter.

The Tigers trailed 20-7 late in the half and were threatening deep in Chestatee territory when Chewning stepped in front of a Dominy pass and raced 98 yards to give the War Eagles a 27-7 cushion at the half.

This is Chewning's first season playing defense and the interceptions were the first of his career. He also recovered a fumble. He wasn't too bad under center, either.

The War Eagles' senior quarterback completed 6-of-10 passes for 122 yards and helped orchestrate a ground attack that produced 145 yards.

"We have talent and can be as good as we want to be," Chewning said.

Pearce Gruenenfelder returned both of his interceptions for scores of 30 and 60 yards in the final six minutes of the game.

Chestatee coach Stan Luttrell says his young team continues to make progress every week and hopes it will peak when subregion play begins in two weeks.

"We're coming together and getting better," said Luttrell. "But we've still got a lot of challenges ahead."

Those challenges start next week with a visit to Monroe Area.

For Dawson County's young quarterback Dominy, it was tough night to say the least. The sophomore completed 11-of-26 passes for 150 yards with a touchdown and the five interceptions.

"I told him that the good ones all have bad nights," said Lee, who consoled Dominy on the sidelines. "But the good ones continue to work hard and get better."

The Tigers get a week off, before heading into Region 8A-AA play against Fannin County.