This past Friday, the PHS Dragons varsity football team made the long trip up to Rossville to take on the num. 5 ranked team in 4-A, the Ridgeland Panthers. In recent meetings between these two teams, they have provided some heart stopping excitement for the fan bases & looked to have another good game this past Friday night.

 

The Panthers, won the toss, but elected to differ to the 2nd half, giving the Dragons the ball first. Ridgeland was able to pick off a 3rd down pass attempt after it had been tipped, and took it to the end zone for the early score and a 7-0 lead at the 10:34 mark of the opening quarter. The Panthers stretched it’s lead out to 14-0 after a 3-yd TD run at the 6:24 mark. Ridgeland added a 2nd 3-yd TD run to take a 21-0 lead over Pickens going to the 2nd quarter.

 

Both teams traded series’ until the Panthers tacked on a 36-yd TD run at the 4:02 mark to make it 27-0. The Dragons got on the board for the 1st time on the night after Jacob Brumby hooked up with Zach Goss for a 25-yd TD. Goss, made and outstanding catch, and then stretched out to make it into the end zone to make it 27-7 Ridgeland at the 2:55 mark of the 1st half. The Panthers got a 61-yd TD run at the 2:40 mark, to give usa score of 34-7 at the half.

 

The 2nd half was a very back and forth half with the two teams finding the end zone multiple times in the 3rd quarter. The Dragons kicked off the scoring in the 3rd at the 5:44 mark after a 25-yd TD run by Robert Davis to make it 34-14 Panthers. Ridgeland scored on a 76-yd TD run at the 4:40 mark to make it 41-14. Brumby & Goss connected for a 2nd time at the 2:14 mark on a 31-yd pitch and catch to make it 41-21, going into the 4th.

 

The Panthers scored just as the 4th got underway after a 30-yd TD run to make it 48-21 with 11:51 left to go in the game. Ridgeland then would add the final points of the game after an 18-yd TD run to make it the eventual final score of 55-21.

 

Stats:

18 1st downs, 2/11 on 3rd down, 1/2 on 4th down, 391 total yards, 221 yards rushing, 170 yards passing

Passing:

Jacob Brumby: 10-27, 170 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, & 28 yards rushing

Rushing:

Robert Davis: 14 rushes, 97 yards, & 1 TD

C.J. Streicher: 8 rushes, 60 yards

Michael Burrell: 7 rushes, 38 yards

Receiving:

Zach Goss: 3 catches, 87 yards, & 2 TD

Josh Cain: 4 catches, 68 yards

Robert Davis: 3 catches, 15 yards

Defense:

Brady Moore: 10 total tackles, 6 solo, 4 assists, & 2 TFL

Hunter Hermann: 10 total tackles, 6 solo, 4 assists, & 1 TFL

Alex Snelgrove: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, & 3 assists

Zach Swaim: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, & 1 assist

Special Teams:

Michael Burrell: 6 punts, 227 total yards, 37.8 yard average, long of 53, 2 punts inside the 20-yd line, & 3-3 on PAT

Robert Davis: 3 kick returns, 61 total yards, 20.3 yard average

 

Pickens, is now 4-4 overall, & 2-2 in region play. They are currently tied in 4th with Southeast Whitfield, but hold the tiebreaker over the Raiders due to the win earlier in the season. The Dragons can lock up a playoff spot next Friday against LaFayette with a win.