Dragons fall in regular season finale; await postseason destination

Dahlonega, Ga — It was the spookiest night of the year as the Pickens Dragons made their way up to Dahlonega to take on the Indians of Lumpkin County on Friday, October, 31st. The Indians, came into the game needing a win and a Dawson loss to get into the playoffs. The Dragons, already in the playoffs, were looking for a better seed prior to the selections. After building a 21-3 first half lead, the Indians, were able to hang on a pick up a 29-22 win.

 

The Indians, would win the toss and elect to receive to begin the ball game. After a balance of the run game and the intermediate pass game, the Indians would strike first with a 27-yd touchdown run by Nolan Matthews. The PAT was good and with 6:43 left in the first quarter, Lumpkin led Pickens, 7-0. The Dragons, would drive down the field and were set up near the goal line as time expired in the first quarter.

 

After a couple of pass attempts by Tanner Bail looking for MCord Purdy and Ike Wyngaard fell incomplete, the Dragons, would settle for a 30-yd field goal make by Purdy to trim the Indian lead to 7-3 with 11:54 left in the first half. The Indians, would respond on their next possession with a 17-yd touchdown pass from Mason Hester to Mac Powell. The PAT was good and with 6:20 left in the half, Lumpkin was in front, 14-3.

Just before the end of the first half, Matthews, would power into the end zone for his 2nd touchdown run of the game. The PAT was good and the Indians would take a 21-3 lead into the break.

 

The Dragons, would start the second half with the ball and would end their opening drive with points as Cal Morrison would run it in from 2-yds out. The PAT was good and with 8:26 left in the third, Lumpkin led Pickens, 21-10. After getting a stop defensively, the Dragons, would get a big catch down the sideline to keep the drive alive. The Dragons, would cap off the drive with points as Bail found Jaxon Carver, for a 33-yd touchdown.

The two point conversion try would fall just short and with 1:27 left in the third, the Indian lead was cut to 21-16. Just before the end of the third, A Hester pass attempt was batted in the air and picked off by the Dragons. On the first play after the interception, Bail took a shot into the end zone for Purdy, but they could not connect. Heading to the fourth, Lumpkin led Pickens, 21-16.

 

The Dragons, would cash in on the turnover as Morrison would barrel into the end zone after a 3-yd run. The two point conversion attempt was no good and with 11:05 left in the game, the Dragons had the lead, 22-21. The Indians, on their next possession, would ride the run game with the tandem of Hester and Matthews. Hester, would finish the drive with an 11-yd touchdown run. The two point conversion attempt was good and with 8:46 left, Lumpkin led it, 29-22.

The Dragons, on their next series, would be faced with 4th down. It would fall short and the Indians would take over. Behind the legs of Matthews, the Indians were able to convert several third downs and drain the clock as Lumpkin would come away with the win, 29-22.

 

Final Regular Season 6-AAA Standings:

North Hall: 10-0 (7-0) *Region Champs

GAC: 8-2 (6-1) *#2 seed. will be in the private school bracket

Lumpkin: 6-4 (4-3) #3 seed

Pickens: 7-3 (4-3) #4 seed

White County: 3-7 (3-4)

Dawson: 4-6 (3-4)

Chestatee: 3-7 (1-6)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-10 (0-7)

 

North Hall, GAC, Lumpkin, and Pickens look to be the representatives for region 6-AAA heading into the playoffs. We should know by the end of the weekend where these four teams are seeded and where they will be going. North Hall and GAC will be at home to begin the playoffs, while in all likelihood, Lumpkin and Pickens will begin on the road. Playoffs will begin on Friday, November 14th.