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.