Last night, the PHS Dragons varsity football team hosted the Northwest Whitfield Bruins in a crucial 6-AAAA region game. With a win, Pickens, would hold 2nd place by itself. Before the game, there was a moment of silence to honor the late players the team has lost this year, Jordan Simonds, & Shawn Mask. Their numbers were painted at mid field last night.

Northwest Whitfield won the toss, but elected to differ to the 2nd half, giving the Dragons the ball first. Pickens would be unable to get anything going on the opening drive, giving the ball to the Bruins. On the strength of their run game, Northwest Whitfield drove down the field, & got a passing TD to make it 7-0 Bruins with 10:13 left in the 1st quarter. The Dragons evened things up after Senior Jacob Brumby pitched it to Junior Robert Davis on the option & Davis got in from 14-yds out, tying things up at 7, & we went into the 2nd quarter all knotted up at 7.

 

The Bruins took the lead back at the 10:06 mark of the 2nd quarter after a field goal, to make it 10-7. Northwest Whitfield stretched their lead out to ten after an 18-yd TD pass at the 4:10 mark. Just before the end of the 1st half, the Bruins again found the end zone after an 8-yd TD pass, to bring the lead to 24-7 over the Dragons going into the break.

 

In the 3rd quarter, Pickens stuffed the first drive of the 2nd half for Northwest Whitfield & looked to get back into the game. At the 9:09 mark in the 3rd, Davis collected his 2nd rushing TD of the game, this one from 10-yds out, making it 24-14 Bruins. The Bruins on their next drive were held to a field goal attempt. The Dragons got pressure up front and blocked the kick, & took over at their 19-yd line. One play later, Davis made a house call from 81-yds out for his 3rd TD of the game, & Pickens cut the Bruins lead to 24-21 with 7:43 left in the 3rd.  Northwest Whitfield got into the end zone just before the end of the 3rd after a 41-yd TD run to make it 31-21, going to the 4th. Both teams went back & forth in the 4th quarter, however the Bruins added to their lead with a 9-yd TD run late in the quarter to seal the win. Final score, Northwest Whitfield 38, Pickens 21.

 

Stats:

14 1st downs, 4/12 on 3rd down, 0/1 on 4th down, 373 total yards on 58 plays, 251 rushing yards, 122 passing yards

Passing: 

Jacob Brumby: 12-28, 122 yards

Rushing:

Robert Davis: 14 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD

Jacob Brumby: 9 carries, 57 yards

Trevon Hawkins: 6 carries, 29 yards

Receiving:

Brady Moore: 5 catches, 66 yards

Robert Davis: 2 catches, 19 yards

Alex Snelgrove: 2 catches, 19 yards

Zach Goss Jr: 2 catches, 14 yards

Josh Cain: 1 catch, 4 yards

Defense:

Trevon Hawkins: 17 total tackles, 12 solo, 5 assists, 1 TFL, & 1 sack

Hunter Hermann: 13 total tackles, 7 solo, 6 assists, & 1 TFL

Dallas McHale: 9 total tackles, 7 solo, 2 assists, & 2 TFL

Boz Gayden: 8 total tackles, 4 solo, 4 assists, 1 forced fumble

C.J. Streicher: 8 total tackles, 6 solo, 2 assists

Zach Swaim: 7 total tackles, 4 solo, 3 assists, & 1 TFL

Special Teams:

Michael Burrell: 7 punts, 280 yards, 40 yard average, long of 45 yards, 1 punt inside the 20 & 3/3 on PAT

C.J. Streicher: 2 punt returns for 14 yards

Robert Davis: 1 kickoff return for 24 yards

Pickens will be back on the road next Friday as they travel to Rossville to take on the undefeated, 4-A top ten, & 6-AAAA region leading Ridgeland Panthers. Pickens shocked Ridgeland in a similar situation at home last year, & have had recent success against the Panthers.