Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, began a three game home stand on Friday, September 19th as they welcomed the Dawson Tigers to Dragons Stadium for Homecoming. The Dragons, came into the game with a 4-0 overall record and 1-0 in 6-AAA play. The Tigers, came into the game with a 1-2 overall record. This was their first game in region play. The two teams went back and forth for the majority of the game, but it would be the Dragons that would pull away and pick up a 34-23 win.

The Tigers, would get the ball first to start the ball game. After a screen pass from QB Gunnar Weaver to Paxton Phillips helped set up the Tigers in Dragon territory, the Dragon defense would hold the Tigers and force a four and out. The Dragons, would be forced to punt on their first possession of the game. They would go for a fake punt attempt, but the Tigers would intercept it.

The Dragons defense, would make another stand and force a 25-yd field goal attempt by the Tigers. Jacob Felkai, would hit the field goal to put the Tigers on top, 3-0 with 4:06 left in the first quarter. After another punt by the Dragons, the Tigers would be forced to punt for the first time. A fantastic return by Ezra Faber, set the Dragons up in deep Tiger territory.

Ike Wyngaard, would score on a 20-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and the Dragons would head into the second quarter with a 7-3 lead.

Early on in the second quarter, as the Tigers were driving to potentially cut the lead to one or take the lead, the Dragons defense used the tip drill to perfection as a pass was deflected into the arms of Landon Poole, who took it to the house for an 82-yd pick six. The PAT was good and with 9 minutes left in the half, Pickens led Dawson, 14-3. The Tigers, would answer with a touchdown on their next possession as Weaver ran it in from three yards out.

The PAT was no good. With 6:46 left in the half, the Dragons lead was cut to 14-9. The Dragons, would add to their lead just before halftime as McCord Purdy would nail a 44-yd field goal to make it 17-9 Dragons at the break.

After neither team could get anything going in the third quarter, the Dragons would stretch out their lead early in the fourth quarter after an 80-yd touchdown run by Wyngaard. The PAT was good and with 10:45 left in the game, Pickens led Dawson, 24-9. The Tigers, would answer that with a 37-yd touchdown pass from Weaver to Brody Sorensen. The two point conversion attempt failed and with 9:02 left in the game, the Dragons led it, 24-15.

The Dragons, would add three to their lead as Purdy would connect on his second 44-yd field goal of the game to make it 27-15 with 7:33 left to go. The Tigers, would once again cut into the Dragons lead after a 14-yd touchdown run by Weaver. The two point conversion attempt was successful and with 4:13 left in the game, the Dragons lead was cut to 27-23.

The Dragons, would respond quickly as Tanner Bail, who came in for Hayden Jones earlier in the game, connected with McCord Purdy for a 79-yd touchdown pass. Purdy’s PAT was good and with 3:50 left in the game, the Dragons were ahead, 34-23. The Dragons defense, was looking for one more stop as the Tigers were looking to keep the game alive. Pickens, got the stop it needed and came away with the win, 34-23.

6-AAA Football Standings:

Pickens: 5-0 (2-0)

North Hall: 5-0 (2-0)

GAC: 4-1 (2-0)

Lumpkin: 3-2 (1-1)

Dawson: 1-3 (0-1)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-4 (0-1)

Chestatee: 2-3 (0-2)

White County: 0-5 (0-2)

The Dragons, will be back home again on Friday, September 26th for the second of three straight home games as they welcomed the North Hall Trojans. As you see in the standings above, North Hall is also undefeated on the season. They are also a top ten ranked team in AAA depending on which poll you look at. It will be a massive game for both teams next week and could likely determine how the top of the region shapes up. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.