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.