Region play in 6-AAAA began last Friday night as the PHS Dragons varsity football team welcomed the Bobcats of Gilmer to Dragons Stadium for Homecoming. Pickens, came into the game looking to be 5-0 in a season for the first time since the 1986 season. That team, started 6-0, & finished the season 8-1-1. Prior to the game, PHS honored the fallen Gilmer Middle School principal, Larry Walker. The PHS band played a rendition of Taps & Amazing Grace, followed by the two teams coming together at midfield. After a moment of silence, we were ready to get the game underway.

The Dragons, won the toss and in a change up from recent weeks, decided to receive the opening kick off to begin the game. Pickens, wasted little time on their first possession scoring in just 35 seconds after a 23-yd TD run from senior Zach Goss to make it 7-0 with 11:25 left in the first. Junior QB CJ Streicher, added to the Dragons lead after a 52-yd TD run at the 2:51 mark of the 1st to make it 14-0 Dragons, going into the 2nd.

 

The Dragons, would find the end zone on the first play of the 2nd quarter after a 23-yd TD pass from Streicher to Brady Moore, to make it 21-0 with 11:55 left in the 1st half. Senior RB Robert Davis, found his way to the end zone after a 51-yd TD run to give the Dragons a 28-0 lead over the Bobcats with 9:31 left in the 1st half. Pickens added to the lead with a 6-yd TD run from Kaleb Ray, to make it 35-0 Dragons with 5:56 to go before the half. Streicher connected with Michael Burrell for a 31-yd TD at the 3:43 mark to give Pickens a 42-0 advantage. At the 2:40 mark, Streicher connected with Davis for and 18-yd TD, to make it 42-0 Dragons, going into the half.

 

The only scoring in the 2nd half came in the 3rd quarter. The Bobcats got on the board after a 16-yd TD run at the 6:17 mark, to make it 49-6 Dragons. With 47 seconds left in the 3rd, Jarod Whitmore scored for Pickens after a 27-yd run, to make it 55-6 Dragons. Final score, 55-6.

 

Stats:

1st Downs: 10

3rd Downs: 1/1

Total Yards: 518

Plays Ran: 33

Rushing Yards: 383

Passing Yards: 135

Takeaways: 1

CJ Streicher: 7/8 for 121 yards & 3 TD, 124 yards rushing, & 1 TD

Robert Davis: 4 rushes, 76 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD, 1 kick return for 14 yards

Kaleb Ray: 2 rushes, 43 yards, 1 TD, 3 tackles, 2 pass break ups

Jarod Whitmore: 2 rushes, 32 yards, 1 TD, 4 tackles

Zach Goss: 1 rush, 23 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 29 yards

Michael Burrell: 1 catch, 31 yards, 1 TD, 2 tackles

Brady Moore: 1 catch, 23 yards, 1 TD, 5 tackles

Hunter Hermann: 9 tackles, 6 solo, 3 assists, 1 TFL

Sy Chadwick: 8 tackles, 2 solo, 6 assists

Jay Jones: 7 tackles, 2 solo, 5 assists, 1 pass break up

Clayton Holland: 7 tackles, 2 solo, 5 assists

Chase Jarrett: 6 tackles, 1 solo, 5 assists, 1 fumble recovery

Logan Joiner: 7/7 on PAT

 

Pickens, will be on the road next week for the first time since their pre-season scrimmage against Denmark on August 10th when they travel to Dalton to take on the Raiders of Southeast Whitfield. Kick off is set for 7:30 pm.