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.