Dragons open region play with road win
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports September 13, 2025
Cleveland, Ga — Region play began for many teams across the state of Georgia on Friday, September 12th. Six of the eight teams in 6-AAA, were in action on Friday including the Pickens Dragons and the White County Warriors. The Warriors, got the better of the Dragons last year in Jasper and the Dragons came into Cleveland looking to return the favor. The Dragons, would have control throughout the game en route to a 34-7 win.
The Dragons, would get the ball first to start the ball game. Pickens, would keep their opening drive alive as Cal Morrison would convert on a fourth down play from the Dragons 47-yard line. After a big run by Ezra Faber and a nice run after catch by Jaxon Carver, the Dragons would get on the board first after an 11-yd touchdown pass from Hayden Jones to McCord Purdy. The PAT was good and with 9:18 left in the first quarter, Pickens led the Warriors, 7-0.
After forcing a three and out, the Dragons, would start their next possession with great field position after the Warriors were called for fair catch interference. Facing a third and long, Jones would find McCord Purdy for a first down. A couple of plays later, facing another third and long, the Jones/Purdy connection were able to pick up another first down after a screen pass.
On the next play, DE Josiah Williams, would get into the backfield to force a fumble. The Warriors would recover and take over on offense. On their second play of the drive, the Warriors would fumble the ball, but QB Alex Freeman was able to recover it. The Dragons, would bring pressure on third down and pick up the sack to force a punt. A short punt by the Warriors would give Dragons possession at the Warrior 35-yd line.
The Dragons, would add to their lead as Jones would connect with Sawyer Purdy for a 28-yd touchdown. The PAT was no good and with 1:10 left in the first quarter, Pickens led White County, 13-0. Heading to the second quarter, the Dragons were ahead of the Warriors, 13-0.
With the Warriors facing a third down, the Dragons would dial up another blitz as McCord Purdy would get home after the corner blitz to force a fourth down. Hagen Mullins, would partially block the Warriors punt and Landon Poole would take it 31 yards for the touchdown. The PAT was good and with 11:09 left in the first half, Pickens led White County, 20-0.
The Dragons, would get the ball back after forcing and recovering a fumble. The Dragons, would cash in on the turnover as Jones found McCord Purdy for a 13-yd touchdown. Their second connection of the first half. The PAT was good and with 8:10 left in the first half, Pickens led White County, 27-0. Facing a third down, Freeman, would find ach Godfrey for a big gain into Dragon territory.
They would follow that up with a nice run by Savion Anderson down to the Dragons 25-yd line. Anderson, would again find a hole and get down to the Dragon 10-yd line. Facing a fourth and goal from the Dragon 6-yd line, the Warriors would look to throw a corner route, but it would fall incomplete. Poole, would get off a great punt from deep inside his own territory as the ball would rest at the Warrior 32-yd line.
After forcing a punt, the Dragons, would run a couple of plays to end the first half as they led the Warriors, 27-0 at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter for both teams, the Dragons, would add to their lead midway through the fourth quarter after a 45-yd touchdown run by Faber. The PAT was good and with 6 minutes left in the game, Pickens led White County, 34-0. The Warriors, would get on the board with 57 seconds left in the game after Freeman found Godfrey for a 25-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and the Dragon lead would be cut to 34-7.
The Dragons, would just take a knee to run out the remaining time as they moved to 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in 6-AAA play with a 34-7 win.
6-AAA Football Standings:
Pickens: 4-0 (1-0)
North Hall: 4-0 (1-0)
GAC: 3-1 (1-0)
Dawson: 1-2 (0-0)
Johnson-Gainesville: 0-3 (0-0)
Lumpkin: 2-2 (0-1)
Chestatee: 2-2 (0-1)
White County: 0-4 (0-1)
The Dragons, will be back home on Friday, September 19th as they host the Dawson Tigers to begin a three game home stand. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons and Rebels battle in preseason scrimmage
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports August 2, 2025
Jasper, Ga — Friday night lights are back as high school football got going with many preseason scrimmages taking place on Friday, August 1st. One of those games taking place would be the Pickens Dragons hosting the Fannin Rebels. Pickens, after coming up a couple of games short of a playoff berth last season, look to take that next step in year two under head coach Craig Bennett. Fannin, has been a steady program under head coach Chad Cheatham and are once again favorites to win their region and make another playoff run.
The teams would play a normal game with the lone exceptions being that special teams plays were not live, and the quarterbacks couldn’t be hit. The Rebels, got the ball to start the game. Just as they crossed the 50-yd line, the Dragons would force and recover a fumble. The Dragons, would get a big chunk play as Hayden Jones would connect with McCord Purdy. Purdy’s run after the catch was sprung by a great down field block by Jaxson Carver. A few plays later, Freshman Cal Morrison, would punch it in from three yards out to give the Dragons a 7-0 lead with 8:08 left in the first quarter.
Later on in the first quarter, Tanner Bail, who came in at QB, found Purdy, who made one defender miss and took it all the way for a 47-yd touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the unofficial score was 14-0 Pickens.
Not much doing for either team in the second quarter as both teams would move the ball a little bit, but were unable to come up with any points. Heading into the half, the Dragons still unofficially led the Rebels, 14-0.
About midway through the third quarter, Morrison, would find pay dirt for the second time as he would score on a 2-yd run. With 6:40 left in the third quarter, the Dragons had an unofficial lead of 21-0. The Dragons defense, would then force its second fumble of the game as Hagen Mullins would pick it up and take it to the house for the touchdown. With 5:47 left in the third, Pickens now led the Rebels, 28-0 unofficially.
On their next possession, the Rebels, would get on the board for their first touchdown of the game after a 13-yd run by quarterback Nate O’Neal. The PAT was good and with 4:38 left in the third, the Dragons unofficially led the Rebels, 28-7. After the Fannin defense forced a three and out, the Rebels, would once again drive into Dragon territory as we headed to the fourth quarter.
After a few hard runs by Casen Bailey, he would cap it off with a 4-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 10:11 left in the game, the unofficial score was now 28-14 Dragons. On their next possession, the Dragons, would answer as a long run would set up a 3-yd touchdown run by Kaleb “kk” Jordan. The PAT was good and with 7:58 left in the game, the Dragons, were now unofficially ahead by a score of 35-14.
The last score and probably the most incredible part of the game came towards the very end as coach Cheatham and Bennett came together to help a young man with special needs score a touchdown. As he scored, players from both Fannin and Pickens ran over to help celebrate. The unofficial final score for the game was 35-21 in favor of Pickens.
Both teams will again be in action next week as they tune up for the final time before the regular season begins. The Dragons, will be at East Hall, while the Rebels will take on White County.
Dragons blowout Johnson on Homecoming
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 19, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons were back home inside Dragons Stadium for the first time since September 13th as they hosted the Johnson, Gainesville Knights on Friday, October 18th. To make it even more exciting, it was Homecoming night. After coming off back to back tough losses, the Dragons, would need a win to stay in any potential playoff scenario. After getting off to a fast start, the Dragons cruised to a big 62-6 win.
After forcing the Knights to punt on their opening possession, the Dragons would use their run game to drive down the field. After carries from Carson Mitton and Hagen Mullins got the ball down to the 10-yd line, Sophomore Ike Wyngaard, scored on a 10-yd run. After the PAT from McCord Purdy was good, the Dragons led Johnson, 7-0 with 7:49 left in the first quarter.
The Dragons, would then force a turnover on downs deep inside Knight territory. Mullins, would finish off the drive with an 18-yd TD run. The PAT from Purdy was good and with 5:29 left in the first quarter, the Dragons led it, 14-0. The Dragons, would add to their lead after Hayden Jones found Purdy, who took it 60 yards for the score. Going to the second quarter, Pickens led Johnson, 21-0.
Hayden Jones hands off to Carson Mitton
At the 5:51 mark of the second quarter, Jones connected with Landon Poole on a little option screen pass and Poole would make some moves and score a 16-yd TD. The Dragons now led it, 28-0. The Knights, would have their most successful drive of the game as a pair of long runs helped set up a 1-yd TD run. The PAT attempt was short and with 2:54 left in the first half, the Dragons led the Knights, 28-6.
The Dragons, answered right back with a 19-yd TD run from Mitton. With 2 minutes left in the first half, Pickens led Johnson, 35-6. After a very short punt by the Knights, Mullins would score from a yard out for his 2nd score of the game. Going into the half, the Dragons led the Knights, 42-6.
Dragons defense getting to the QB
The lone score in the third quarter came from the Dragons as they used a mix of the run and pass game to get down to the 9-yd line. Senior Hayden Roland, would cap off the drive with a 9-yd TD run. Going to the fourth quarter, Pickens led Johnson, 49-6.
Jones hanging off to Hagen Mullins
In the fourth quarter, the Dragons added to their lead as Freshman Zach Williams found an opening and scored on a 14-yd TD run. With 8:17 left in the game, the Dragons led the Knights, 56-6. The final score of the game came from Wyngaard as he broke through and scored from 79 yards out. The PAT would be blocked. The Dragons, would defeat the Knights, 62-6.
Dragons defense stopping the run
6-AAA Football Standings:
North Hall: 6-2 (5-0)
GAC: 4-2 (4-1)
Lumpkin: 5-3 (3-2)
Dawson: 4-4 (3-2)
Chestatee: 3-5 (2-3)
Pickens: 4-4 (2-3)
White County: 2-6 (1-4)
Johnson, Gainesville: 0-8 (0-5)
The Dragons, will be back on the road next week as they head down to Norcross to take on GAC in another big time game in 6-AAA on Friday, October 25th. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons start 2-0 for first time since 2018
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports August 24, 2024
Calhoun, Ga — The Pickens Dragons traveled over to Calhoun on Friday, August 23rd to take on the Sonoraville Phoenix in non-region action. The Dragons, were coming off of a thrilling 31-28 win over the Pepperell Dragons, while the Phoenix, were looking to rebound after a tough 21-14 loss to Model in overtime. A rushing touchdown by Hayden Jones and two crucial 4th down stops helped the Dragons pick up another 31-28 win.
The Phoenix, would get the ball first to start the game after the Dragons differed to the 2nd half. One first down is all the Phoenix would get as the Dragons defense forced a punt. On their first possession of the game, the Dragons would march down the field using the run game, with a pass mixed in. Hunter Bryant, would score the first points of the game with a 15-yd TD run. The PAT by McCord Purdy would sail through the uprights and with 8:26 left in the first quarter, the Dragons led the Phoenix, 7-0.
On their next possession, the Phoenix would turn to their ground game as they would tie the game with a 2-yd TD run to make it 7-7 with 5:23 left in the first quarter. As the first quarter was winding down, the Dragons were in prime scoring position to retake the lead.
Hayden Jones handing off to Hagen Mullins
On the first play of the second quarter, Hagen Mullins powered into the end zone from four yards out to make it 14-7 Dragons with 11:53 left in the first half. Later on in the second, the Phoenix would again tie things up with a 1-yd TD run to make it 14 all with 3:02 left in the first half. Towards the end of the first half, a very confusing sequence occurred as the Dragons seemed to pick up a first down, but the white hat signaled fourth down. As he was doing that, the line judge told the down marker to flip it over to first down.
After much discussion, it was determined that the play that the Phoenix thought was fourth down, was really first down. The end result would be a 24-yd field goal by Purdy to make it 17-14 Dragons heading into the half.
The Dragons, got the ball first to start the second half looking to build on their 3 point lead. That’s exactly what they did as Jones found Purdy in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yd TD. With 7:29 left in the third, Pickens now led Sonoraville, 24-14. The Phoenix, would pick up a lot of momentum the rest of the quarter as a pair of rushing touchdowns gave them their first lead of the game heading into the fourth, 28-24.
With 5:29 left in the fourth quarter, Jones was able to get into the end zone from 4-yds out to give the Dragons a 31-28 lead. After a 4th down stop on defense, the Dragons looked to drain the clock the rest of the way. The Phoenix, had other ideas as they would force the Dragons to punt. Facing a 4th down on their own 48-yd line, the Phoenix turned to their TE, ECU commit, Cayman Reynolds. Reynolds, would haul in the pass, but would be short of the line to gain, giving possession back to the Dragons.
The Dragons, were able to pick up a first down and then take a knee as they held on to pick up the win, 31-28.
Hayden Jones with the touchdown run
With the win, the Dragons move to 2-0 for the first time since 2018. If you’re a Dragon fan, you remember how special that year was. Next up for the Dragons, a home game against their 515 rivals, the Gilmer Bobcats. That game always has exciting things happen and I’m sure this year will be no different. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Pickens wins the battle of the Dragons to open season
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports August 18, 2024
Jasper, Ga — In one of the more interesting starts to a football season I’ve ever seen, the Pickens Dragons began playing the Pepperell Dragons on Friday, August 16th, and finished the game on Saturday, August 17th. Mother nature, was not kind to this game, and others on Friday. That forced many games to be postponed and moved to Saturday. Pickens, overcame being down 14 early to come back and picked up a dramatic 31-28 win.
On Friday, in the first quarter, Pepperell got the ball first to start the game. The Pepperell Dragons, got on the board early with an 86-yd touchdown run by QB Sam Ross. The PAT was good and with 11:37 left in the first quarter, Pepperell took a 7-0 lead. Pickens, would then have trouble with an exchange on their first possession which allowed Pepperell to recover the fumble. Ross, would end up scoring on a 6-yd run and with 8:53 left in the first quarter, the Pepperell Dragons were up 14-0 on the Pickens Dragons.
Then the storms came. After waiting out the weather for a while, the decision was made to pause the game. The game was moved to Saturday, with a restart time of 6 pm. Late Saturday afternoon came around and mother nature decided to pop back up again. The two teams and fans all waited it out, and at 7:30, the teams were finally out on the field to warm up. At 7:45, the ball game resumed with Pickens punting to Pepperell.
On their next drive after the restart, Pepperell would pick up a first down, but that would be it. The Pickens Dragons, would cut the Pepperell lead in half as QB Hayden Jones found an open Landon Poole, who took it all the way for the 52-yd TD. The PAT from McCord Purdy was good. Heading to the second quarter, Pepperell led Pickens, 14-7.
In the second quarter, the Pickens Dragons would yet again cut into the lead of the Pepperell Dragons with help from pressure by the defense, and some snap issues by Pepperell. A high snap in the end zone on a punt attempt by Pepperell would lead to a safety for Pickens. With 11:10 left in the first half, Pepperell led Pickens, 14-9.
Dragons defense with a gang tackle on the Pepperell QB
Later on in the second, Ross would find a receiver and he would score a 48-yd TD to extend the lead for Pepperell to 21-9 with 1:55 left in the first half. Not to be outdone, Jones found McCord Purdy streaking down the sidelines and Purdy made the grab for the touchdown as he was being held. The PAT by Purdy was good and heading into the half, Pepperell led Pickens, 21-16.
Hayden Jones handing off to Landon Poole
For the majority of the third quarter, both teams went back and forth with no scoring. Pickens, would find the end zone after Jones got in with a 1-yd run. Pickens, would then go for two to push their lead up to three. The two point try was successful as Jones found Purdy to make it 24-21 Pickens with 2:29 left in the third. LB Hunter Bryant would recover a Pepperell fumble to set up Pickens with excellent field position.
RB Hagen Mullins, would then convert that turnover into points as he got in with a 7-yd run. The PAT was good and just like that, Pickens led Pepperell, 31-21 with 1:39 left in the third. Heading to the fourth, Pickens was in front of Pepperell, 31-21.
Hayden Jones looking for a receiver to throw to
In the fourth, Pepperell would cut into the Pickens lead as Ross went into scramble mode and scored on an 18-yd run. His 3rd of the game. The Pat was good and with 4:25 left in the game, Pickens now led Pepperell, 31-28. Pickens, on what would be their final drive of the night, looked to run out the clock and faced a 4th and short just past midfield. New Pickens head coach Craig Bennett and the offense decided to go for it to try and put the game on ice.
Jones, would find a hole to pick up the first down and then some. However, a holding penalty on Pickens would wipe out the would be first down, and were forced the Dragons to punt. Jones’ punt would be downed inside the 15-yd line with 59 seconds left. Pepperell, would make their way near midfield with two seconds left. Pepperell, would look for one final desperation play.
After a couple passes and fumbles, Pepperell found an open man and what looked like a free run to the end zone. However, Isaiah Lacy would trip the runner up at the 20-yd line to preserve the 31-28 win for the Pickens Dragons.
The Dragons, the Pickens Dragons that is, will be on the road next week as they take on the Sonoraville Phoenix on Friday, August 23rd. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
We talked to new Dragons head coach Craig Bennett after the ball game ended. You can catch that in the video below: