Dragons fall in a heart breaker to Lions
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 16, 2021
Jasper, Ga — It was another beautiful night for high school football in the north Georgia mountains as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Central-Carroll Lions to Dragons Stadium for a big 7-AAAA showdown. This would mark the first ever meeting between these teams. Before the game, the Dragon senior football and cheerleaders were recognized for Senior Night.
The first quarter, saw both teams defenses step up as neither offense could get anything going on their respective drives. The Dragons, were able to breakthrough at the 2:48 mark of the opening quarter with a 38-yd field goal by Senior Jose Sanchez. Going to the 2nd quarter, Pickens led the Lions, 3-0.
Jose Sanchez hits the field goal attempt
The Dragons added to their lead early on in the second quarter as Sam Streicher found Isaiah Williams for a 24-yd touchdown. With 10:59 left in the first half, Pickens now led Central-Carroll, 10-0. Later on in the quarter, the Dragons were looking to add even more to their point total, but the Lions were able to pick off a pass attempt, and take it the other way for a touchdown. Going into the break, Pickens led Central-Carroll, 10-7.
Dragons defense pressures the Lions quarterback
In the third quarter, the Lions picked up their first offensive score of the ball game as the quarterback ran to the right and just barely crossed the goal line before being ruled down. The PAT attempt was no good. With 5:08 left in the third, Central-Carroll now led the Dragons, 13-10. This would be the score going to the fourth quarter.
Streicher looking for an open man
In the fourth quarter, Central-Carroll was driving to add to their lead. The Dragon defense, was able to force a turnover and give the offense a chance to regain the lead. After two back to back spectacular catches from Senior Tom Frechette and Sophomore Marcus Pike, Streicher found Senior Devin Hand in the left corner of the end zone for a 17-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 8:07 left in the ball game, Pickens led the Lions, 17-13. After stopping the Lions on their next possession, the Dragons took over looking to melt time off the clock and add to the lead. With the ball near the 40-yd line of the Lions, Pickens decided to go for it on 4th and 1. An early snap however through off the timing of the play and Central-Carroll would take over. After a long pass play, the Lions got it down to the Dragons 8-yd line. A run play got it down to the 1-yd line. On 3rd down the Dragons defense tightened up and stopped the QB run. On 4th down, with a little help from his running back, the Lions QB was able to get in for the touchdown. With 1:31 left on the clock and now down by three, The Dragons offense went to work. Streicher picked up a big first down on 4th down and Pickens used the sideline to their advantage. One of the bigger plays of the game was when Streicher was running out of bounds, he took a hit that looked late, but wasn’t called. That set up a 44-yd field goal attempt to tie it and send it to overtime. Unfortunately for the Dragons, the kick sailed left and was no good. Your final score, Central-Carroll 20 Pickens 17.
7-AAAA Standings:
Cedartown: 6-1 (3-0)
Northwest Whitfield: 4-3 (2-1)
Heritage: 4-2 (2-1)
Central-Carroll: 4-4 (1-2)
Pickens: 4-3 (1-2)
Ridgeland: 1-7 (0-3)
*Southeast Whitfield: 1-7 (0-0)
*Not playing a region schedule
The Dragons, will have a bye week next week as they get ready for their next game against the Heritage Generals on the road on October, 29th. Kickoff for that one is set for 7:30.
Dragons fall in tough region opener
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 17, 2020
Cedartown, Ga — On October 16th, the Pickens Dragons made one of the longer trips of the season to Polk County where they met the Cedartown Bulldogs to start 7-AAAA play. These two teams have met 6 times previously with the last meeting coming in 2013. The last time Pickens came to Cedartown in 2012, they came away with the win in a game that featured former University of Minnesota and Dragon great Shannon Brooks along with former University of Georgia standout and current Cleveland Browns running back, Nick Chub
The Dragons won the toss and elected to receive to begin the ball game. Pickens came out with a a strategy of using a quick pass game plan as Cedartown was bringing pressure early. The Dragons went for it on 4th down near midfield and appeared to make the line to gain, but it was ruled short and the Bulldogs took over. On their opening possession, Cedartown would also be faced with a go for it on 4th down situation. They chose to go for it and the Dragon defense stood tall and held them. Just before the end of the first quarter, things got a little wacky. After forcing the Bulldogs to punt, the Dragons reached into their bag of tricks and pulled out the old double pass play. Sam Streicher hit Jarod Whitmore who then connected with a wide open Andrew Burrell for a 56-yd touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Dragons had more surprises for Cedartown as they then went for an onside and recovered. Going to the second quarter, Pickens led the Bulldogs 7-0.
Dragons driving to begin the game
The Dragons had possession of the ball to start the second quarter after executing an onside kick just before the end of the first. Pickens got a long run from Whitmore, who then capped off the drive with a 1-yd touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 10:22 left in the first half. The Bulldogs got on the board for the first time at the 7 minute mark of the second quarter with a 3-yd touchdown run to make it 14-7 Dragons. Just before the end of the first half, Cedartown got on the board again. This time with a 10-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was no good however and the Dragons headed into halftime with a 14-13 lead over the Bulldogs.
Jarod Whitmore scores to make it 14-0 Dragons
In the third quarter, Cedartown took advantage of some miscues by the Dragons and turned those miscues into touchdowns. The Bulldogs scored three times off of turnovers to take the lead over Pickens going to the fourth, 31-14.
The Dragons defense fought hard against Cedartown
In the fourth quarter, Cedartown added to their lead with touchdown runs of 84, 11, and 35 yards. Pickens ended the ball game with something positive as Streicher found Tom Frechette in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yd touchdown pass. Final from Cedartown: Bulldogs 52 Dragons 21.
7-AAAA Standings
Central Carroll: 4-1 (1-0)
Cedartown: 3-2 (1-0)
Ridgeland: 1-5 (1-0)
Northwest Whitfield: 4-1 (0-1)
Heritage: 3-3 (0-1)
Pickens: 2-4 (0-1)
Next week, the Dragons will be back home as they welcome the Ridgeland Panthers into town as they continue 7-AAAA play. Ridgeland picked up it’s first win of the season against Heritage 21-14, holding on after leading 15-0 at halftime. Kickoff is set for 7:30.