Dragons win rivalry classic against Bobcats

Jasper, Ga — The 68th all time meeting between Pickens and Gilmer took place in Jasper on Friday, October 30th. The Dragons, were looking to bounce back after a tough loss last week while the Bobcats, were coming off of a bye. a 5 touchdown second half by Sawyer Purdy, helped lift the Dragons past the Bobcats, 48-41.

 

The Bobcats, would get the ball first to start the game. Using their option based offense, Jeremiah Few, would put the Bobcats on the board with a 10-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 6:19 left in the first quarter, Gilmer was up, 7-0. On their first possession, the Dragons, would look to go for a fake punt, but the Bobcats were ready for it and stopped it short of the line to gain.

Gilmer, would take advantage of that as Peyton Chancey, would rumble in for a short touchdown run. The PAT was good and as they headed to the second quarter, the Bobcats led the Dragons, 14-0.

 

The Dragons, would get going offensively in the second quarter as a long pass from Tanner Bail to Brock Teal would help set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Teal. The PAT was good and with 10:37 to go in the first half, Gilmer led Pickens, 14-7. The Bobcats, would rack up the penalty yardage on their next possession as they were backed up deep in their own territory.

The Dragons, would force a fumble and Travis Vines would scoop it up and score. After the touchdown, the Dragons, would receive an unsportsmanlike penalty which would back the PAT attempt to the 25-yard line. Some miscommunication on the exchange would lead to the PAT being no good and with 9:42 to go in the half, the Bobcats lead was cut down to 14-13.

On their next possession, the Bobcats, would drive into Dragon territory. Penalties, would come up once again for Gilmer as they would settle for a 25-yd field goal by Carter Gearhart to make it 17-13 with 4:20 left to go in the half. The Dragons, would look to cut into the lead or take the lead prior to halftime. With the ball deep in Bobcat territory, the Dragons, would run a play with 8 seconds left on the clock.

The pass attempt, would look to hit the turf with one second left on the game clock. After a brief discussion by the officials, it was determined that time ran out. Heading into halftime, the Bobcats led the Dragons, 17-13.

 

To say the third quarter was crazy, would be an understatement. The Dragons, would get the scoring started in the second half as Sawyer Purdy would take the hand off on a sweep and take it 12-yards for the touchdown. The PAT was good and with 8:59 left in the third, Pickens, held a 20-17 advantage. The Bobcats, would go to the air during their first possession of the second half as AJ Callihan would connect with Mason West for a 66-yard touchdown.

The PAT was good and with 8:20 to go in the third, the Bobcats were back on top, 24-20. On their next possession, the Dragons, facing a big third down on their own 16-yard line, would convert in a big way. Bail, would connect with Purdy, and after a big block, would race down the sideline for an 84-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and with 5:57 left in the third, the Dragons were back in front, 27-24.

On their next drive, the Bobcats, would go back in front after a 3-yard touchdown run by Chancey. The PAT was good and with 3:14 to go in the third, Gilmer led Pickens, 31-27. On the Dragons next possession, the Bail and Purdy combo hooked up again as Purdy would slip past two defenders for a 38-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and with 2:27 left in the third, this seesaw battle would swing back over to the Dragons, 34-31.

Not to be outdone, the Bobcats, would find success through the air again as they would connect on a 49-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 1:43 left in the third, the Bobcats took the lead, 38-34. The Dragons, would start driving again prior to the end of the third.

 

That drive would end with points as Bail would once again find Purdy for a 4-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and with 7:49 left to go in the game, the Dragons were ahead, 41-38. On their next possession, the Bobcats, would be forced to punt for the first time as the Dragons defense would start bringing pressure and it got home. On the first play of the ensuing drive for the Dragons, the Bobcats, would force and recover a fumble.

The Dragons defense, would hold and force a field goal attempt by the Bobcats. Before the attempt, the Dragons would be called for being offside, making it a 4th and 1. Prior to the snap of that play, Gilmer would pick up their second sideline penalty. Gearhart, would come back out for a 41-yard field goal attempt. Gearhart, would connect on the kick to tie the game at 41 with 3:19 left to go in the game.

The Dragons, on their next drive, were facing a big play. Bail, would find Corban Addison for a first down. On the next play, Bail would hit Teal for another first down at midfield. The duo of the night, would come through once again as Bail would find Purdy for a 50-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and with 1:55 left to go in the game, the Dragons were up, 48-41.

The Bobcats, were looking for one final drive to either tie the game, or possibly go for the win. Facing a fourth down, the pass attempt near the sideline was overthrown and the Dragons would take over and kneel out the rest of the time to pick up a big 48-41 win.

 

6-AAAA Region Standings:

North Hall: 7-2 (4-0) region champions

White County: 7-2 (3-1)

Pickens: 3-6 (2-2)

Gilmer: 5-4 (2-2)

Dawson: 1-8 (1-3)

Chestatee: 0-9 (0-4)

 

The Dragons, will be on the road for the regular season finale as they travel up to Dawsonville to take on the Dawson Tigers. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.