Kennesaw, Ga — No more scrimmages as it was time to kick off the 2026 regular season for high school football for many teams across the state of Georgia on Friday, August 21st. Two of those teams being the Pickens Dragons, and the hosting North Cobb Christian Eagles. This one had a lot packed into it. It was a tale of two halves in this one as the Dragons would go up 28-7 into the break with the Eagles coming back to pick up a 42-35 win.

The Dragons, would win the toss and elect to receive the opening kick. After a great return by Sawyer Purdy that set up the offense at the Dragon 40-yd line, Pickens used a mix of the run game and the quick passing game to drain more than half of the first quarter clock. The Dragons, would cap off the opening drive with a 9-yd touchdown run by Ike Wyngaard. The PAT by Toccoa McGraw was good and with 4:48 left in the quarter, Pickens led it, 7-0.

The Eagles, were looking to tie things up on their opening possession as a big pass play set them up at the Dragon 5-yd line. After a false start by the Eagles, the Dragons would force a stop to bring up 2nd down. The Dragons defense, would then land a big blindside hit on the Eagles QB that jarred the ball loose. The ball would go out of bounds at the Dragon 38-yd line to bring up 3rd down.

The Dragons, would force a punt after a pass break up by Donald Marshall. Heading to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Eagles, 7-0.

Just under a minute into the second quarter, Tanner Bail found Wyngaard streaking down the seam for a 59-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 11:05 left in the first half, Pickens led North Cobb Christian, 14-0. On the next Eagles possession, Jackson Walker, would force and recover a fumble after a big hit on a receiver. There was discussion from the officials because Walker’s helmet came off right after the ball was knocked loose. In the end, the officials ruled that it was Dragons ball.

On the first play after the fumble recovery, Purdy, took the end around and turned on the jets for a 44-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 10:01 left in the first half, the Dragons led the Eagles, 21-0. After another defensive stop, the Dragons, would add to their lead as newcomer Travis Vines would power his way in for a 1-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 4:36 left to go in the half, Pickens led North Cobb Christian, 28-0.

The Eagles, would respond with their first scoring drive of the game as they would cap it off with an 18-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 1:16 left in the half, the Dragons led the Eagles, 28-7. After a late defensive stop by the Eagles, North Cobb Christian had a little time left to add points before halftime. A nice pass play would set up a 40-yd field goal try. The ball would sail left and the Dragons would take a 28-7 lead into the break.

On the first play of scrimmage in the third quarter, the Eagles would connect on a 64-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 11:43 left in the third, Pickens led North Cobb Christian, 28-14. The Eagles, would then force and recover a fumble on the Dragons opening possession of the second half. They would convert that into points after a 38-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 10:21 left to go in the third, the Dragons lead was cut to 28-21.

After a back and forth, the Eagles, would again score after a 1-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 1:48 left in the third, the game was tied at 28. A stop by the Eagles defense before the end of the third, would give their offense the ball as they would head to the fourth.

The Eagles, would use that momentum from the third quarter and carry it over to the fourth as they would take their first lead of the game after a 7-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 9:05 left in the game, North Cobb Christian led Pickens, 35-28. The Dragons, needing something to help stop the bleeding, found it as Bail would connect with Brock Teal for a 51-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and we were tied at 35 with 6:18 left in the game.

The Eagles, would respond with a 2-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 2:39 left in the game, North Cobb Christian led Pickens, 42-35. The Dragons, looking for one final drive to tie or possibly win the game, would pick up one first down, but the Eagles would force a turnover on downs as North Cobb Christian would pick up the win, 42-35.

The Dragons, will look to rebound as they will be home next week as they host former region foe, the Lumpkin Indians, on Friday, August 28th for the home opener. Lumpkin, will be coming off of a 42-31 win over Dawson to start the season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.