Ellijay, Ga — It was a rainy night as the Pickens Dragons traveled up north to take on the Gilmer Bobcats in 7-AAA play on Friday, October 13th. This matchup marked the 65th time these two teams have met. The Dragons, came into the game riding an 8-game win streak in this series, while Gilmer still held the lead in the series, 35-29-1. The Bobcats, behind their triple option attack, picked up the 35-24 win.

 

The Bobcats, got the ball first to start the game. Combined with their run game and several penalties committed by the Dragons, Gilmer got on the board first after a 15-yd touchdown run from QB Issac Rellinger. The PAT was good and with 9:48 left in the first quarter, the Bobcats led the Dragons, 7-0. Neither team got anything going for the rest of the quarter. Heading to the second quarter, Gilmer was ahead of Pickens, 7-0.

 

In the second quarter, the Dragons got on the board after a 28-yd field goal from Charlie Gibbons to make it 7-3 Bobcats with 8:05 left in the first half. The defense for the Dragons then made a play as Rellinger’s pass was tipped and Kael Deering came down with it. The Dragons, turned that interception into points as QB Sam Streicher punched it in from 4-yds out. The PAT from Gibbons was good and with 4:07 left in the first half, the Dragons led the Bobcats, 10-7. Just before the end of the first half, the Bobcats were able to retake the lead as Rellinger ran it in from 10-yds out. The PAT was good and as they went to the break, Gilmer led Pickens, 14-10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dragons, began the second half with the ball. The drive didn’t last long as Streicher connected with WR Hayden Jones for a 70-yd touchdown. The PAT was no good however and with 10:03 left in the third quarter, the Dragons led the Bobcats, 16-14. The Bobcats, were able to reclaim the lead after a 9-yd touchdown run from FB Peyton Chancey. The PAT was good and with 7:18 left in the third, Gilmer led Pickens, 21-16. Gilmer added to their lead just before the end of the third as Rellinger scored his third rushing touchdown of the game after an 8-yd run. The PAT was good and as they headed to the fourth, the Bobcats led the Dragons, 28-16.

 

A couple minutes into the fourth quarter, the Dragons looked to get back into it as Streicher connected with Jones for a 17-yd touchdown. Streicher, was able to then run it in for the 2-point conversion to make it 26-24 with 8:34 left in the game. The Bobcats, answered back at the 3:30 mark of the fourth with a 1-yd touchdown run from Hunter Britain. The PAT was good and Gilmer extended its lead to 35-24. That would be your final as the Bobcats get their first victory over the Dragons since 2013.

 

7-AAA Region Standings:

Lumpkin: 7-0 (3-0)

Wesleyan: 5-3 (3-1)

White County: 4-3 (2-1)

Gilmer: 5-3 (2-2)

Dawson: 2-6 (2-2)

Pickens: 1-6 (0-3)

West Hall: 1-6 (0-3)

 

The Dragons, will be back home for the final time during the 2023 regular season as they play host to the West Hall Spartans on Friday, October 20th. Kickoff is set for 7:30.