The Pickens Dragons are back in action this Friday night following a bye week, as the team travels north to Whitfield County to take on the Northwest Whitfield Bruins.This one appears to be a fairly even matchup this season, as both the Dragons and the Bruins sit at 1-0 so far in 2013 with Northwest Whitfield’s win coming via Peppernell in a 38-22 contest (The Bruins are also coming off a bye week). This will only be the second time that the Bruins and the Dragons have ever faced off, as the first meeting was last season when Northwest Whitfield prevailed 20-7.

One of Northwest Whitfield’s most dangerous duos on offense appears to be junior quarterback Caleb Shiflett and senior wide receiver Tevin McDaniel, who connected for a 74 yard touchdown pass in the Peppernell victory. McDaniel seems to be extremely dangerous for the Bruins, as he was a major pain for Peppernell, finishing the game with 144 yards on just 7 receptions and also did his part in the return game and on defense, putting the Bruins in scoring position on a 74 yard kickoff return and making an interception.

The key to the Dragons’ chances on the road on Friday night is very simple: the defense must be able to match McDaniel and Co. step for step. The Bruins’ offense has already shown its capability through one game this season, and although Pickens has yet to give up a single point through the team’s opening victory over Sonoraville, the Dragons simply have not faced a team with as much talent as Northwest Whitfield so far. Although I highly expect for the Pickens offense, led by senior quarterback Tanner Brumby and junior running back Shannon Brooks, to match the Bruins’ pace step-for-step through four quarters, it may very well come down to the Dragons’ defense forcing a mistake in order for Pickens to stay undefeated on the young season.

Prediction: The Dragons do their best to stay undefeated on the road under Chris Parker (4-0 overall) and tame the Bruins in Tunnel Hill, but ultimately McDaniel gets the best of the road squad. The senior standout strikes for 104 total yards with a pair of touchdowns, and although Brumby (184 total yards and two touchdowns) and Brooks (102 yards and one touchdown) do their part, it just is not enough, as the Bruins edge out the Dragons. Final Score Pickens Dragons 21, Northwest Whitfield Bruins 27