Dragons sweep home & home series against Union

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — After a tough loss to 6A Sequoyah on Monday, February 20th, the Pickens Dragons were right back on the field on Tuesday, February 21st as they welcomed the Union County Panthers to Dunn Field for the second game of their home and home series. The Dragons, defeated the Panthers on February 14th, and looked to sweep the season series. Pickens, used big 4th and 6th innings to help earn a 10-0 win in 6 innings.

 

In the top of the first, the Panthers, threatened early, but a pop up and a couple of timely strikeouts by Dragons starter Trey Payne, left the bases loaded and sent it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom half of the inning, the Dragons got a 1-out single from Trace Ledbetter, and a 2-out walk from Tyler Payne. The Panthers, got out of it as they caught a line drive hit to center field to keep it tied at 0 going to the second.

 

In the top of the second, Union had another scoring chance as they would get a 2-out triple. On the next pitch, Trey Payne would force a pop up to shortstop for the third out and send it the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the second, the Dragons, would go down in order and we’d head to the top of the third still scoreless.

 

In the top of the third, the Panthers again tried to break the tie in this pitchers duel as they had a runner reach on a 1-out error, followed up by a single to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Trey Payne, worked around it and picked up a strikeout and a fielder’s choice out to send it to the bottom of the third still tied at 0. In the bottom of the third, Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, hit a 1-out double. Trace Ledbetter, would then drive him in with an RBI single to make it 1-0.

Later on in the inning, after Trey Payne drew a walk, Tyler Payne brought in Ledbetter with a grounder to first base to make it 2-0. Union, escaped even more potential danger as Trey Payne was left stranded at 3rd. Going to the top of the fourth, the Dragons led the Panthers, 2-0.

 

In the top of the fourth, Trey Payne had his best inning on the mound as picked up two more strikeouts and induced a grounder to 2nd base to get out of the the top half of the fourth on just 7 pitches. In the bottom of the fourth, Dawson Holland led off with a single. Evan Giddens then reached on a 1-out error. Cade Sutton, then drew a walk to load the bases for Shouse. on a 2-0 count, Shouse got a hold of one and sent it over the right field fence for a 3-run homer. Going to the top of the fifth, the Dragons led the Panthers, 5-0.

 

In the top of the fifth, the Panthers, were looking to get back into the game with a 1-out single, followed by a walk. Tee Knight, who came on in relief of Trey Payne, kept the score 5-0 as he was able to get the final two outs of the top of the fifth on 8 pitches. In the bottom of the fifth, Trey Payne led off by getting hit with a pitch, Tyler Payne reached on an error, and Harlan Will drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.

Union, got out of that jam without giving up any runs as they got a double play, then a pop up to send it to the top of the sixth with Pickens still leading, 5-0.

 

In the top of the sixth, Knight, still on the mound, worked around a 2-out walk as he kept the Panthers scoreless and sent it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Giddens, led off by getting on base. AJ Rice, who came in to play 3rd for Sutton in the top half of the frame, drew a walk. Shouse, collected his 3rd hit of the day with a single to load the bases. Ledbetter, drove in Giddens and Rice with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0.

After a ground out by Ezra Faber that advanced Shouse over to 3rd, Jackie Jarrett drove in Shouse with an RBI single to make it 8-0. Kam Jenkins, then brought in Jarrett with an RBI double to make it 9-0. Bradley Prince, put a bow on this one as he drove in Jenkins to give the Dragons the 10-0 win.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 3-4 with a double, 3-run homer, a single, 2 RBI, & 3 runs scored

Trace Ledbetter: 3-4 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, &  2 runs scored

Tyler Payne: 1 walk, & 1 RBI

Jackie Jarrett: 1-1 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with a double, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a single, & 1 run scored

Evan Giddens: 2 runs scored

Cade Sutton: 1 walk, & 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 1 walk, & 1 run scored

 

The Dragons, will continue their busy week on Thursday afternoon as they’ll host the Hillgrove Hawks at Dunn Field. Hillgrove, is out of the 7A classification so it will be another chance for the Dragons to take on a bigger school. First pitch is set for 3 pm.

Dragons suffer first loss of the season to 6A Sequoyah

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — It was makeup Monday as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Sequoyah Chiefs to Dunn Field as part of the Pickens Mountain Classic Tournament on Monday, February 20th. This game, was originally scheduled for Thursday, February 16th, but was pushed back due to a weather threat. The Chiefs, used a 5 run top of the 5th to break the game open and come away with a 9-3 win.

 

In the top of the first, the Chiefs got on the board early as they scored 3 runs on 3 hits to take a 3-0 lead going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the first, Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, got down 0-2 quickly, but fought off a pitch to send it to right field for a lead off single. Sequoyah, was able to get a double play and a grounder to the 2nd baseman to end any potential scoring chances for the Dragons. Going to the second, it was 3-0 Chiefs.

 

In the top of the second, Dragons starter and Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, settled down after a tough first inning and forced two ground outs and collected his lone strikeout of the game during a 9 pitch top half of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Pickens drew three straight 1-out walks to load the bases. The Chiefs, got out of the jam with back to back strikeouts and to keep the lead at 3-0 going to the third.

 

In the top of the third, the Chiefs extended their lead with a solo home run to left field to make it 4-0. The Dragons defense, then got a ground out to 3rd, catcher Tyler Payne threw out a runner trying to steal 2nd, and Nunn was able to glove a ground ball and flip it to 1st to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons offense broke threw. They did that, by using patience.

Shouse, Trace Ledbetter, and Trey Payne all walked to load the bases with nobody out. Shouse, came home to score on an error to make it 4-1. Harlan Will, brought in Ledbetter on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. Dawson Holland, picked up the Dragons 2nd hit of the game with an RBI single to bring in Trey Payne and make it 4-3 Chiefs going to the fourth.

 

Nunn, carried that momentum built by the offense in the bottom of the third to the top of the fourth as he sat down the Chiefs on 7 pitches with 2 ground outs and a fly out. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons couldn’t get anything going as Sequoyah struck out the side to send it to the top of the fifth with the Chiefs still ahead, 4-3.

 

In the top of the fifth, the Chiefs added 5 runs as a 3-run double was the big blow in the top half of the frame. Going to the bottom half of the fifth, Sequoyah now led it, 9-3. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons got a lead off hit from Ledbetter. Trey Payne, then reached on a fielder’s choice as Ledbetter would be out at 2nd. Tyler Payne, was then hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The Chiefs, were able to get out of trouble again as they forced back to back pop ups to send it to the top of the sixth with Sequoyah up, 9-3.

 

In the top of the sixth, Freshman AJ Rice, did a really great job of bouncing back after a tough fifth inning as he needed 10 pitches to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons again got the lead off man on as Cade Sutton was hit by a pitch. Evan Giddens then followed it up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs. As they had done all game, the Chiefs got out of trouble with back to back strikeouts and a fly out to keep it 9-3 going to the seventh.

 

In the top of the seventh, Tate Hales came on in relief of Rice and he picked up where Rice left off in the top of the sixth as Hales needed 9 pitches to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Trey Payne led off with a walk. He then moved over to 2nd after Tyler Payne grounded to 1st. Payne would be left stranded at 2nd as the Chiefs got a strikeout and a fly out to end the game and take this one, 9-3.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored

Trey Payne: 2 walks & 1 run scored

Tyler Payne: 1 sacrifice bunt, & 1 hit by pitch

Harlan Will: 1 walk, 1 sacrifice fly, & 1 RBI

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 RBI

Cade Sutton: 1 walk & 1 hit by pitch

Evan Giddens: 1-3 with a single

 

The Dragons, will be back on the field on Tuesday, February 21st as they host the Union County Panthers for the conclusion of their home and home series. Pickens, won 8-2 at Union on February 14th, and will look to take the series outright with a win on their turf. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.

Dragons pick up Homecoming win against Union County

PHS Football, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — Friday, September 17th was Homecoming night for Pickens High School as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Union County Panthers for their final non-region game before region play. This was the 12th all-time meeting between the two schools with the Panthers coming away with a 28-14 win last season in Blairsville. The Dragons, used a quick start on offense to propel them to a 45-7 win over Union County.

 

To start the ball game, Pickens would look to surprise the Panthers with an onside kick. The Panthers were able to recover and start their first drive of the game. After a defensive stop, the Dragons took over for their first possession of the night. Pickens wasted little time getting points as Sam Streicher threaded the needle to Marcus Pike, who took it 61-yds for the touchdown. The PAT was good, and with 10:14 left in the 1st quarter, the Dragons led, 7-0. It wouldn’t take long for the Dragons to strike again as it was deja vu all over again as Streicher again found Pike wide open as the play covered 60-yds. The PAT was true and Pickens extended their lead over the Panthers to 14-0 with 8:24 left in the opening quarter. After a short punt from Union County, the Dragons took advantage and Streicher used his legs to find the end zone from 13-yds out to make it 21-0 Pickens with 5:52 to go in the first quarter. Defensively, the Dragons were able to force the Panthers to punt from inside their own end zone after a sack. The snap on the punt was low and Pickens got in and blocked it and it was recovered in the end zone by Mason Powell for the touchdown. Going to the second quarter, the Dragons found themselves up 28-0 over Union County.

Sam Streicher passing to Marcus Pike.

The scoring slowed a little in the second quarter, but the Dragons were able to add to their lead as Streicher found Devin Hand for a diving catch in the end zone. The play covered 12-yds. With 5:15 left in the  first half, Pickens led the Panthers, 35-0. Union County was able to string together a pair of good plays towards the end of the first half as they were able to pick off a pass and score on a 9-yd touchdown pass on the very next play. Going into the break, Pickens were ahead of the Panthers, 35-7.

Dragons defense getting after the quarterback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both teams, for the majority of the third, traded possessions with no points. The lone touchdown in the quarter came from Hand, who plowed into the end zone with a 5-yd run. Going to the fourth quarter, the Dragons led the Panthers, 42-7.

Sam Streicher finds Devin Hand for the touchdown

In the fourth quarter, Dragons kicker Jose Sanchez added a 42-yd field goal to make it 45-7 Pickens. The Dragons, finished the game strong and picked up their third win of the season, 45-7.

 

With the win, the Dragons match their win total from the 2020 season. Pickens, will now have two weeks to get ready for the start of 7-AAAA play as the Cedartown Bulldogs will come to Jasper on October, 1st. Kickoff for that game is set for 7:30 pm.

Dragons soar over Eagles in non-region play

PHS Football, Team FYN Sports

Rome, Ga — It was a beautiful day for high school football on Friday, September 10th as the Pickens Dragons made the long trip over to Rome to take on the 2A Coosa Eagles in non-region action. These two teams have a brief history with one another having only played 5 times. The Dragons, coming into this one, had won the previous three meetings. Pickens, looked to bounce back after a tough loss last week to White County. Coosa, came in looking for their first win of the season after games against Trion and Armuchee. Behind a strong defensive effort, that included five takeaway’s, Pickens came away with a 34-10 win.

 

The opening kickoff saw the first turnover as the game. As Coosa was returning the kick, the Dragons forced a fumble and recovered it. Pickens cashed in on that turnover as Sam Striecher found Devin Hand in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Hand went up and over the defender to catch the pass. The PAT was blocked and with 10:44 left in the first quarter, the Dragons led the Eagles, 6-0. Pickens, added to their lead later on in the quarter as Hand found the end zone again. Hand, took the snap under center and got in from 2-yds out. The PAT was good this time around and the Dragons took a 13-0 lead into the second quarter.

Sam Streicher finds Devin Hand in the end zone

Both teams had shots in the second quarter, but were unable to come up with anything. Coosa, picked up their first points of the game as they hit a 27-yd field goal. With 5:13 left in the first half, Pickens now led the Eagles, 13-3. Just prior to halftime, Streicher found his target Marcus Pike, for a 13-yd touchdown. The PAT was good, and the Dragons took a 20-3 lead into the break.

The Dragons defense making the tackle

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dragons wasted no time adding to their lead as they began the third quarter. After perfectly fielding the onside kick attempt, Pickens made quick work of their first possession in the second half. Streicher, hit Hand on the screen play, and Hand did the rest as he took it 55-yds for the touchdown. The PAT was once again successful, and the Dragons held a 27-3 advantage. That would be all the scoring that took place during the third quarter, and we’d head to the fourth quarter with Pickens ahead, 27-3.

Dragons looking to run the ball

Seconds into the fourth quarter starting, Anthony Antinozzi picked off an Eagle pass attempt and took it all the way for a Dragon touchdown. The PAT was true and Pickens held a 34-3 lead with 11:51 left in the ball game. Coosa, got into the end zone with a 39-yd touchdown run. Your final score from Coosa High School, Pickens 34 Coosa 10.

 

With the win, the Dragons now move to 2-1 on the season. Pickens, will be back home next week as they welcome the Union County Panthers to Jasper. It’ll be the 12th all-time meeting between these two schools. This will be the final non-region game for the Dragons before 7-AAAA play begins on October 1st.

Dragons fall in final non-region tune up

PHS Football, Sports, Team FYN Sports

Blairsville, Ga — Friday, October 2nd marked the first time that the Pickens Dragons and Union County Panthers faced off since 1991. Pickens won that game 34-0 on 11-1-91. The first meeting between these two schools came in 1960. The Dragons came in with a 2 game win streak and the overall series was tied a 5 a piece. This was Union’s first game since having to cancel a game due to Covid protocols, a young man on the team was involved in a wreck, and did we mention, it was homecoming. The Panthers were able to capitalize on some mistakes by the Dragons and took this one, 28-14.

 

The Dragons opened the ball game on offense as they seem to have done to begin every game this season so far. Union was able to force a 3 and out to get the ball for the first time. A short punt, gave the Panthers good field position to work with on their first drive, but the defense of Pickens held strong and forced a punt. The punt backed the Dragons up all the way to their 3-yd line. Desperate to get out of their own end zone, Sam Streicher lobbed it up for Senior receiver Mykel Hand and he made a spectacular catch along the sideline to move the chains and give Pickens some breathing room. The second Dragon drive would stall as both defenses looked strong early on. Going to the second quarter, we remained scoreless.

Big tackle for loss by the Dragons early in the game

A minute and six seconds into the second quarter, the Panthers struck first with a 14-yd touchdown run to give them a 7-0 lead with 10:54 left in the first half. During their final drive of the half, the Dragons were setting up for a 42-yd field goal attempt. A false start, caused head coach Jeff Nelson to call a timeout, talk to his team, and decide to send his offense back out there. On 4th and fifteen, Streicher completed a pass to Senior running back Jarod Whitmore and Pickens had 1st and goal set up at the Union 9-yd line. Several plays later Whitmore would mash his way into the end zone for the 1-yd touchdown to tie things up with 27 seconds left in the half. Union took the ensuing kickoff deep into Dragon territory, but a holding call on the Panthers negated that run and we hit the half all tied at 7.

Streicher completing a 4th down pass to Whitmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost midway through the third, Union was able to retake the lead after a 14-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was no good, so the Panthers held a 13-7 lead with 7:34 left in the third quarter. Union would pick off a pass attempt from Streicher and took over near midfield. The Dragons defense settled in and forced a field goal attempt. The try was no good and Pickens took over at their own 20-yd line. The next play, the Panthers picked off a pass along the sideline to give it back to their offense. Union was able to turn the turnover into points with a 5-yd touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt was successful and the Panthers took a 21-7 lead over the Dragons going to the fourth quarter.

Dragons looking to stop a Union run play

Union County added to their lead at the 9:38 mark of the 4th quarter with a 16-yd touchdown run to make it 28-7 Panthers. The Dragons found success on a drive going with a quicker tempo and running back Kenny Nelson would finish the drive off with a 4-yd touchdown run to make it 28-14 with 4:37 left. In the end, the Union County Panthers took this one, 28-14.

 

7-AAAA Standings:

Northwest Whitfield: 4-0

Central-Carroll: 2-1

Heritage: 3-2

Cedartown: 2-2

Pickens: 2-3

Ridgeland: 0-5

 

With the exception of Central-Carroll, every other team in 7-AAAA is on a bye week next week. 7-AAAA play will start on October 16th. For the Dragons, they will open up region play on the road at Cedartown against the Bulldogs. This will be the 7th all time meeting between the two schools with the last one coming in 2011, the last time these two schools were in the same region. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

Defense dominates as Dragons defeat Eagles

PHS Football, Sports, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Georgia — On Friday September 25th, the Pickens Dragons (2-2) hosted the Coosa Eagles (2-1) in non-region action at Dragons Stadium. The Dragons were back home for the first time in two weeks, and were looking for a spark to jump start their season. Coosa, came in putting big points up in two games with over forty in each contest. Last night was also Homecoming for Pickens. Behind a stellar defensive effort, the Dragons evened up their record with a 10-0 win.

 

The Eagles won the toss but elected to differ to the second half, giving the Dragons the ball first. After a quiet first drive, Pickens was forced to punt. Senior Jarod Whitmore got a great punt off that was downed at the Coosa 2-yd line. The Eagles picked up one first down, but that was it for their opening drive. The Dragons drove down a short field and set up for a 29-yd field goal attempt. That attempt was unsuccessful. Going to the second quarter, we had no score on the board.

The Dragons defense getting after the Eagles

In the second quarter, Pickens had several chances to punch in touchdowns and were finally able to cash in during the later stages of the first half with a 5-yd touchdown run by Whitmore which was helped set up by a beautiful pitch and catch by Sam Striecher to Mykel Hand. Going into halftime, the Dragons led the Eagles, 7-0.

Jarod Whitmore looking to gain big yards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the third quarter, the Dragons added on to their after a 39-yd field goal by Jose Sanchez connected giving Pickens a 10-0 lead with 8:59 left in the third. The field goal was set up by an interception by Conner Browning, one of three turnovers forced by the Dragons defense. No other scoring occurred in the third and we headed to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 10-0.

The Dragon defense played well against the wing-t

The fourth quarter saw the Dragons defense stuff any possible chance at a comeback for the Eagles as Pickens was able to hold on to the shutout and improve their record to .500 on the season with a 10-0 win.

 

7-AAAA Standings:

Northwest Whitfield: 4-0

Heritage: 3-1

Central-Carroll: 1-1

Pickens: 2-2

Cedartown: 1-2

Ridgeland: 0-4

 

Next week, the Dragons will be back on the road as they head to Blairsville to take on the Union County Panthers in their final non-region game of the schedule. This will be the 11th all time meeting between the two schools having not played since 1991. Pickens currently is riding a 2-game win streak in the series. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

Dragons baseball wins two games on Saturday

PHS Baseball, Sports, Team FYN Sports

The PHS Dragons varsity baseball team recently broke in their brand new baseball facility and started the 2020 season on Thursday with a 6-5 win over the Murray County Indians. On Saturday, they hosted the Union County Panthers, the Lumpkin County Indians, and the Coosa Eagles for a day filled with baseball. The Dragons faced off against Union County and Coosa. First up, Union County. Pickens used a big fourth inning to get the win over the Panthers, 12-4.

In the top of the first, the Panthers got on the board first as they scored one run on three hits to take an early 1-0 lead. The Dragons came right back in the bottom of the first with two runs on one hit to take a 2-1 lead into the second inning.

Dragons up to bat against Union

The second inning saw Pickens extend their lead to 3-1 over Union County after Hunter White drove in Drake Sutton. In the top of the third, the Panthers had runners on second and first after a two-out double and single. Dragon starter Alex Snelgrove was able to get out of the jam as Pickens kept their 3-1 lead.

Alex Snelgrove on the mound in game one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth inning saw a lot of scoring. First, the Panthers retook the lead 4-3 with three big runs in the top of the frame. Not to be outdone, the Dragons would bat around in the bottom half of the inning scoring nine runs to take a 12-4 lead over Union.

Dragons looking to score runs in game one

Pickens held on to their 12-4 lead over the final three innings to get their second win of the young season.

Game 2:

After Lumpkin played Union and Coosa, the nightcap of the full day of games saw Pickens take on Coosa. Much like their game against Union earlier in the day, the Dragons used a big inning to propel themselves over the Eagles, 11-1 in five innings.

After nothing doing for either team in the first inning, both teams plated runs in the second inning. Coosa scored in the top of the second with one run to take a 1-0 advantage. In the bottom half of the inning, Pickens nearly batted around and scored four times to take a 4-1 lead going to the third.

Dragons batting against Coosa

In the bottom of the third, the Dragons again showed off the offense as they would bat around and plate seven runs to take an 11-1 lead over the Eagles.

Pickens battling Coosa under the lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pickens held on over the final two innings to defeat the Coosa Eagles 11-1 in five innings.

Pickens, will have another busy week next week as they will have a home and home series with the Lumpkin Indians. The first game will be at PHS on Tuesday with a first pitch time of 5:30. The Dragons will then travel up to Lumpkin on Thursday with the same first pitch time. Pickens will end the week with games against Dalton and Dominion Christian on Saturday at PHS.

 

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