DAWSON SOWERS knew something was wrong when he heard the “pop.” The 6-foot-tall teen had his opponent within sight, running toward him to make a tackle. Unfortunately, he tore his shoulder in the process. However, a huge heart for the team, family, and God kept him on the field to end a high school legacy that placed him in the history books.
The Winchester native attended Franklin County High School in a community where he had played football since the age of 5.
“I always found the sport very fascinating, watching every weekend with my family,” Dawson said. “It was really fun to watch, and playing it was super fun. Football also taught me to be a tougher person, because it is a tough sport to play, mentally and physically.
Dawson sought activities that challenged him — a trait he credits to his parents and sister. His dad, Shane Sowers, works in maintenance for Nissan Motor Co., while his mother, Angie, has 31 years of health care experience. His sister, Madison, is a licensed practical nurse, working on her registered nurse’s license. Needless to say, hard work runs in the family, directly translating into Dawson’s extracurricular activities.
“I ended up choosing football for the most obvious reason — because it was a contact sport and you can really hit people and not get in trouble for it,” Dawson said. “Another reason I chose football is because of the competitiveness and the hard work it takes to be a really good player.”
Once Dawson joined the Franklin County High School Rebels, his love for football only deepened as he played multiple positions, including quarterback and running back, but the linebacker role stood as his primary and favorite position. His success really took off during his junior year when he broke the school record with 75 tackles in the 2023 season. The previous record of 68 tackles had been set in 2001.
“That was just something that meant a lot to me because I put my name in the book permanently. And something like that, somebody can’t take away from you because I worked hard for that.”
Although the season concluded on a high note, he began his senior year with a painful collision.
“We get to the second game of the season, and I went to go make a hit on another player, and I landed on my shoulder when I came down,” Dawson recalled. “I felt a pop in my shoulder, and I didn’t know what it was, but it hurt really bad.”
The senior told his friend that the landing may have caused a tear, but adrenaline kept him going through the rest of the game — and the season — despite the pain.
“I was a big role model to the team, and it was my senior season, so I really just wanted to go out with the best bang I could possibly go out with,” Dawson said.
Unfortunately, the team finished with a 0-10 record, but they all fought and grew together — a feat in its own right.
A visit to Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas after the season revealed Dawson had suffered a labrum tear that required surgery — a scary moment. However, with Dr. John Arnold serving as the surgeon, the procedure proved successful.
“He did really good,” Dawson said. “He’s been there for me as a friend [and] a doctor, and he’s a really great person.”
Dawson made a full recovery, setting himself up for a fresh start at Tusculum University in 2025 to continue his education and football career on a scholarship. He described God as the primary motivation to reach his potential, with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer and returning to Winchester to work, joining others who keep giving back to the community.
“It runs in the family to work very hard for what you want to get in life, and that’s something that’s also very motivating to me.”
The inspiration drives Dawson to be his best — a call everyone hopes to answer, especially him. GN
