Dragons tied atop standings after first week of region play
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 8, 2024
Peachtree Corners, Ga — It was a nice day for baseball as the Pickens Dragons traveled to Wesleyan to take on the Wolves for game three of their three game region series on Thursday, March 7th. The Dragons, had already clinched the series win as a result of sweeping the doubleheader on Wednesday, March 6th. In a back and forth game, it was the Wolves who came away with the win in game three, 7-4.
’24 Georgia Tech signee Connor Shouse, led off the game with a double to right. A fly ball to right field by Trace Ledbetter, moved Shouse up to 3rd. Cade Sutton, would bring in Shouse on an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons. In the bottom half of the first, Dragons starter AJ Rice, had a 1-2-3 inning with two ground outs and a strikeout. Going to the second, the Dragons led Wesleyan, 1-0.
In the top of the second, the Dragons would go down in order on a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, the Wolves would have their first base runner of the evening as he would reach on an error. That runner would be wiped out on the next pitch after an inning ending double play to send it to the third with Pickens still leading the Wolves, 1-0.
In the top of the third, Rice reached base with a 1-out single. After stealing 2nd, Rice would advance to 3rd on a fly out by Shouse. The Wolves, were able to escape the scoring threat as they got a pop up for the 3rd out. In the bottom of the third, the Wolves would take the lead as they scored 4 runs on a walk, a stolen base, and 3 hits. Going to the fourth, Wesleyan led the Dragons, 4-1.
Sutton, led off the top of the fourth by drawing a four pitch walk. Dawson Holland, followed that up with a single. Sutton, would advance to 3rd on the throw. Holland, would then steal 2nd. After Christian Starks drew a walk, Kam Jenkins drove in Sutton with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 4-2. A 2-out single by Trey Payne would load the bases. The Wolves, would get out of the top of the fourth with just the one run given up as the bases were left loaded.
In the bottom of the frame, Rice, fired a 1-2-3 inning picking up his 3rd and 4th K in the process. Going to the fifth, Wesleyan led Pickens, 4-2.
Shouse, led off the top of the fifth with his 2nd hit of the day as he reached with a single. Shouse, would then steal 2nd to put himself in scoring position. With 1-out, he then swiped 3rd. Sutton, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Sutton, would steal 2nd to put himself in scoring position. Starks, came up with a little 2-out magic as he drove in Shouse and Sutton with a 2-RBI single to tie it at 4 going to the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Wolves, retook the lead as they scored 3 runs on a walk, 2 hits, and an error to take a 7-4 advantage into the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Tyler Payne, who came on to pitch hit for James Tilley, worked a walk to lead off the inning. A grounder by Trey Payne, would advance Tilley to 2nd, who came in to run for Tyler Payne. With 2-outs, the Dragons got a walk by Shouse and a single by Ledbetter to load the bases. The Dragons, were unable to scratch a run across as the Wolves caught a liner in center for the 3rd out. Going to the bottom of the sixth, Wesleyan still led, 7-4.
In the bottom of the sixth, Cason Cannon, who came on to finish out the bottom of the fifth, pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning as he picked up two strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the seventh with the Wolves leading, 7-4.
Holland, led off the top of the seventh by working a walk to start the inning. After a strikeout for the first out, Holland would advance to 2nd on a ground out. Holland would then move to 3rd after a balk was called on the pitcher. The Wolves, would get the third out to pick up the win in game three, 7-4.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-3 with a double, a single, 2 stolen bases, and 2 runs scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a single
Cade Sutton: 1 RBI, 2 walks, a stolen base, and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a single and a walk
Christian Starks: 1-3 with a walk, a single, and 2 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 1 RBI
Tyler Payne: 1 walk
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single
AJ Rice: 1-3 with a single and a stolen base
7-AAA Baseball Standings:
Pickens: 9-3 (2-1)
White County: 8-4 (2-1)
West Hall: 4-8 (2-1)
Dawson: 7-4 (1-2)
Lumpkin: 5-6 (1-2)
Wesleyan: 4-7 (1-2)
Gilmer: 5-4 (no region games played)
The Dragons, will be back on the turf at Dunn Field on Tuesday, March 12th as they take on the White County Warriors in another 7-AAA series. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons sweep doubleheader to open region play
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 7, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It’s time for region baseball in 7-AAA as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Wesleyan Wolves at Dunn Field on Wednesday, March 6th. The Dragons, were coming off a successful trip to Hoover, Alabama where they went 3-1 against some of the top teams in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The 3-game series against the Wolves, was set to begin on Tuesday, March 5th, but the rain forced it to be moved to a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Dragons, used a good combination of hitting and pitching as the #2 team in AAA swept the doubleheader.
Game 1:
The Dragons, were classified as the “away” team for game one since these two teams didn’t get to play at Wesleyan on Tuesday. Cade Sutton, got on with a 2-out walk, but that would be it for Pickens in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Connor Shouse, worked around a 2-out walk as he struck out two and forced a ground out to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Dragons would go down in order after a pair of ground outs and a pop out. In the bottom half of the frame, Shouse would pick up his 3rd strikeout. The inning ended when catcher Kam Jenkins threw out a runner attempting to steal 3rd. Going to the top of the third, the game was still scoreless.
To begin the third inning, Trey Payne was able to leg out an infield single for the Dragons first hit. AJ Rice, followed by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. On the very next pitch, Shouse, sent a screaming line drive home run over the left center field wall to put the Dragons up 3-0. Trace Ledbetter, followed that up with a double and Sutton reached with a single.
Dawson Holland, kept the train moving as he drove in pitch runner Sam Dart with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Christian Starks, would bring in Sutton with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 5-0. The Wolves, were able to get out of the top of the third with the Dragons leading, 5-0. After giving up a double and a single with 1-out, Shouse was able to get out of the inning with no damage done. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Wesleyan, 5-0.
The Dragons, worked a little 2-out magic in the top of the fourth as Ledbetter drew a walk, looking to start a rally. He would then advance all the way to 3rd as the catcher overthrew the first baseman trying to throw out Ledbetter. Sutton, added to his day as he drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Shouse, threw a clean inning in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up a fly out, and his 7th and 8th K of the game. Going to the fifth, the Dragons led, 6-0.
Starks, started off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. Jenkins, followed that up with a single. Tyler Payne, would then bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Later on, Ledbetter, would draw a bases loaded walk that brought in courtesy runner JP Nunn to make it 8-0 Dragons. The bottom of the fifth was another clean inning for Shouse as he picked up his 9th and 10th K’s of the game. Going to the sixth, Pickens led Wesleyan, 8-0.
Holland, began the sixth with a single to reach base. Jenkins, would then reach on an error as both he and Holland would advance on the play. James Tilley, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0. Tate Hales, came on in relief of Shouse in the bottom of the sixth and worked a scoreless frame to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 9-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh after two ground outs and a fly out. Starks, came on in relief of Hales in the bottom of the seventh and he was able to close things out to give the Dragons the win in game 1, 9-0.
Stats for the Dragons in game 1:
Connor Shouse: 1-5 with a home run, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored (5 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 K on 76 pitches)
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a double, 2 walks, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, on 12 pitches)
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with a single and a sacrifice bunt
Tyler Payne: 1-1 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
James Tilley: 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single, a sacrifice bunt, and 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 2 walks, and 1 run scored
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
JP Nunn: 1 run scored
Tate Hales: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 HBP, 1 K on 11 pitches
Game 2:
Game 2 began with James Tilley on the mound for the Dragons. After giving up back to back hits to start the first inning, he was able to pick up 2 k’s and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Connor Shouse led off with a single. He then stole 2nd to get into scoring position. After a grounder by Trace Ledbetter, Shouse held up in a rundown long enough for Ledbetter to reach 2nd.
Dawson Holland, would drive in Ledbetter with an RBI double to make it 1-0. Christian Starks, followed that up with a single to put runners at the corners with 2 out. As Starks attempted to steal 2nd, the ball got through the infield which allowed Holland to score to make it 2-0. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the second.
In the top of the second, Tilley, worked around a pair of hits to strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, would go down in order on 2 k’s and a fly out to send it to the third with the Dragons still leading the Wolves, 3-0.
In the top of the third, Tilley, had his first clean inning as he picked up his 6th K of the game and a pair of ground outs to keep Wesleyan scoreless. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons would go down 1-2-3 on two pop outs and a strikeout. Going to the fourth, the Dragons led the Wolves, 3-0.
In the top of the fourth, Tilley, worked around a hit and a stolen base to pick up a ground out, and his 7th and 8th K. The Dragons, would add to their lead in the bottom of the inning as Jenkins would reach on a single with 1-out. His courtesy runner, JP Nunn, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Designated hitter Tyler Payne, would drive in Nunn with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, the Wolves would cut into the lead as they scored a run after three straight hits. Tilley, did a good job of limiting Wesleyan to only the one run as they headed to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Shouse, led off with a single. After Shouse stole 2nd and 3rd, Ledbetter drove him in with an RBI double. Cade Sutton, would bring pitch runner Sam Dart in with an RBI single to make it 6-1 Dragons going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, the Wolves would once again cut into the lead as they would score a pair of runs on a couple of hits. Going to the bottom of the inning, Pickens now led Wesleyan, 6-3. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons would get back to back hits by Trey Payne and AJ Rice to pur runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The Wolves, were able to get out of the jam with a double play to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 6-3.
JP Nunn, came on to close it out in the top of the seventh and he would do just that. Nunn, sat the Wolves down in order on just 6 pitches to get the save and preserve the 6-3 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in game 2:
Connor Shouse: 2-4 with 2 singles, 3 stolen bases, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a double, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with a single, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 RBI
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single, and 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single
AJ Rice: 1-3 with a single
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
James Tilley: 5 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 8 H, 9 K on 66 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 25 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 run scored and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB on 6 pitches
With the sweep of the doubleheader the Dragons take their first 7-AAA series of the season. The 3-game set against Wesleyan will conclude with game 3 on Thursday, March 7th at Wesleyan. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons and Warriors split season series
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 3, 2024
Cleveland, Ga — The Pickens Dragons were once again on the road as they traveled to take on the White County Warriors in 7-AAA action on Friday, February 2nd. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 16-6, and 7-2 in 7-AAA. The Warriors, were 6-16, and 2-7 in 7-AAA. The Warriors, would outscore the Dragons 27-14 in the fourth quarter to come away with a 64-47 victory.
McCord Purdy, got the scoring started in the first quarter as he put the Dragons up, 3-0. After David Boman split a pair of free throws and Dawson Oliver made a layup to tie it up, the Dragons would go on a 7-0 run as Parker Davis made a layup, and Hayden Jones would make back to back baskets with a layup and a three to make it 10-3. An and-1 play by Noah Futch would cut the lead down to 4.
After both teams split free throw makes, Jamin Martin would hit a three to make it 14-7 Dragons. Blayne Gunter, would answer with a three to make it 14-10. After a layup by Parker Davis, Futch would split a pair of free throws and the Dragons would take a 16-11 lead into the second quarter.
The Warriors, began the second quarter on a 9-0 run as Boman would hit a three, then Cohen Michaud would hit back to back threes to give the Warriors a 20-16 lead. Purdy, would stop the run with a basket, but that would be the only field goal the Dragons would make in the quarter. After Oliver split a pair of free throws, Boman, would hit a bucket to make it 23-18.
It would be a free throw contest to end the first half as the Dragons would make 5 and the Warriors would make 1. Heading into the break, the Warriors led the Dragons, 24-23.
Oliver, would begin the second half by making a pair of free throws to stretch the lead out to 3. After Parker Davis and Gunter traded baskets, the Dragons would go on a 5-0 run as Caleb Lanford hit a jumper and Purdy would connect on a three to give the Dragons a 30-28 lead. The Warriors, would answer with a 7-0 run to retake the lead, 35-30. A three by Martin would cut the lead to 2. Boman, would make a layup just before the buzzer to make it 37-33 going to the fourth.
Gunter, began the fourth with a basket to make it 39-33. A three from Lanford would cut the lead to 3. Boman responded with a three to make it a 6 point game again. Purdy, answered with a three on the other end to make it 42-39. After Reid Tanner split a pair of free throws and Oliver made a layup, Parker Davis would make a layup to cut it to 45-41. The Warriors, would then go on a 13-0 run to break the game open, 58-41.
Parker Davis, ended the run with a basket to make it 58-43. After a jumper from Braxton Anderson, Jones would come back with a bucket to make it 60-45. Boman, would make a pair of free throws to bring it to 62-45. After a basket by Purdy, Anderson would make a pair of late free throws to give the Warriors a 64-47 win.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Parker Davis: 14 points
McCord Purdy: 13 points
Hayden Jones: 7 points
Jamin Martin: 6 points
Caleb Lanford: 5 points
Dodge Davis: 2 points
7-AAA Basketball Standings:
Gilmer: 15-8 (9-2)
Pickens: 16-7 (7-3)
Dawson: 13-10 (5-5)
Wesleyan: 10-13 (5-5)
Lumpkin: 12-12 (5-6)
White County: 7-16 (3-7)
West Hall: 6-16 (2-8)
The Dragons, will end their four game road trip on Tuesday, February 6th as they head to Wesleyan to take on the Wolves. The Dragons, were able to come away with a win over Wesleyan in Jasper a couple of weeks ago. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Dragons move into second place in 7-AAA
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 13, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, began 2024 on a winning note as they defeated White County 73-55 on Tuesday, January 9th. On Friday, January 12th, the Dragons were back at home as they welcomed the Wesleyan Wolves to the Dragons Den for a 7-AAA contest. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 12-5, 3-1 in 7-AAA, and winners of 4 straight. The Wolves, came into the game 8-9, 3-1 in 7-AAA play, and looking to end a 2 game skid. The Dragons, picked up their 5th straight win taking this one, 50-42.
Hayden Jones, got the scoring started to begin the first quarter as he nailed a corner three to make it 3-0. A 4-0 run by Wesleyan’s Josh Kavel and Brayden Tidwell, gave the Wolves a 4-3 lead. A layup by Parker Davis, gave the Dragons a 5-4 lead. The Wolves, would then go on an 8-0 run as Kavel and Grant Schelhammer combined for the run. The Dragons, closed out the first quarter on a 7-0 run as McCord Purdy scored 5 straught points, then Parker Davis made a layup to tie it at 12 going to the second quarter.
Dodge Davis, began the second quarter with a three to put the Dragons ahead, 15-12. A three by Kavel, would tie things right back up. Both teams would then go back and forth until the Dragons went on an 11-0 run that included 8 straight points from Dodge Davis to make it 29-19 Pickens at the half.
The Wolves, got the scoring started in the second half as Nate Nketia-gyasi hit a three to cut the lead to 29-22. Jones and Schelhammer, would then trade baskets as the Dragons led it, 33-26. A three by Caleb Lanford would stretch the lead back to 10. James McGriff, would end the third quarter on a 3-0 run as the Dragons took a 36-29 lead into the fourth.
Dodge Davis, would make another three to begin the fourth quarter as that brought the lead back to 10, 39-29. After a pair of fouls on the Dragons, Kavel hit a three to cut it to 39-32. Dodge Davis would then go on a 4-0 run as Pickens led it, 43-32. After a back and forth with Kavel and Parker Davis, Dodge Davis again went on a 4-0 run to make it 49-37 Dragons.
A three by Schelhammer and a bucket by Tidwell, cut the lead to 49-42. With the Wolves forced to foul, Parker Davis would step to the line and hit a free throw as the Dragons came away with the 50-42 victory.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 23 points
Hayden Jones: 9 points
McCord Purdy: 8 points
Parker Davis: 7 points
Caleb Lanford: 3 points
7-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Gilmer: 11-4 (6-0)
Pickens: 13-5 (4-1)
Wesleyan: 8-10 (3-2)
Dawson: 9-8 (2-3)
West Hall: 4-11 (2-3)
Lumpkin: 5-11 (1-4)
White County: 4-14 (0-5)
The Dragons, will take to the road on Tuesday, January 16th as they head to West Hall to take on the Spartans in another 7-AAA contest. Tip off scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Dragons begin 2024 with big region win
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, closed out 2023 on a high note winning their bracket in the Marlin Christmas Classic Tournament and looked to stay hot as they began 2024 by taking on the White County Warriors in 7-AAA action. The Dragons, came into the game 11-5 and 2-1 in 7-AAA play. The Warriors, came into the game 4-12 and 0-3 in 7-AAA play. Using a big first quarter, the Dragons were able to pick up a 73-55 win.
The Dragons, began the ball game by going on a 6-0 run as Parker Davis scored 4 points and Hayden Jones picked up 2 points. A three pointer by David Bowman ended the run and cut the Dragons lead in half. From there, the Dragons would go on a 10-0 run as Caleb Lanford, Jones, and Dodge Davis would all contribute points to make it 16-3. A basket by Noah Futch would end the run and make it 16-5.
Dodge Davis and Lanford, would then combine for a 5-0 run as Davis made a layup and Lanford hit a three to make it 21-5. After a basket by Bowman, Dodge Davis closed out the first quarter scoring by converting an and-1 to give the Dragons a 24-7 lead going to the second quarter.
The Warriors, started the second quarter by going on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to 24-11. A three pointer by Jamin Martin made it 30-11 Dragons. After Futch made a bucket and Braxton Anderson split a pair of free throws, the Dragons would go on a 7-0 as Lanford hit a three, and McCord Purdy and Nathan Wallace made back to back layups to make it 34-14. A layup by Anderson stopped the run and made it 34-16.
Both teams would then trade three pointers as Wallace ended the first half with a buzzer beater to make it 40-19 Pickens at the half.
The Davis brothers kicked off the second half scoring as Dodge split a pair of free throws and Parker made a layup to make it 43-19. After a 4-0 run by the Warriors, the Dragons countered with a 6-0 run as Purdy made a free throw, Parker Davis made a layup, and Jones hit a three to make it 49-23. Both teams then traded three pointers as the Dragons led it 52-26.
The warriors, would then go on a 9-0 run to cut the lead down to 52-35. A 6-0 run by the Dragons would close out the third quarter as Pickens would take a 58-35 lead into the fourth.
The Dragons and Warriors went back and forth to begin the fourth quarter. White County, would go on a 9-0 run to make it 62-47. Purdy and DJ Mitchell, hit back to back three pointers to stretch the lead to 68-47. The two teams traded buckets as the game came to a close with the Dragons getting the 73-55 victory.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 16 points
Parker Davis: 13 points
McCord Purdy: 12 points
Dodge Davis: 11 points
Hayden Jones: 7 points
DJ Mitchell: 6 points
Nathan Wallace: 5 points
Jamin Martin: 3 points
Scorers for the Warriors:
David Bowman: 16 points
Noah Futch: 15 points
Dawson Oliver: 9 points
Braxton Anderson: 8 points
Zach McCoy: 3 points
Tripp Nix: 3 points
John Phillips: 1 point
The Dragons, are now 12-5 and currently sit in 3rd place in 7-AAA at 3-1. On Friday, January 12th, the Dragons will be back home as they take on the Wesleyan Wolves. Should the Dragons win that one, they will jump to 2nd place in the region standings. Tip off set for 8:30 pm.
Dragons come up just short of making the playoffs
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports November 4, 2023
Peachtree Corners, Ga — The first Friday of November was a cold one as the Pickens Dragons made the trip down to Peachtree Corners to take on the Wesleyan Wolves for just the second time ever. While the Wolves had the #2 seed out of 7-AAA locked up coming into the game, the Dragons needed a win and some help from their friends from Gilmer to make it into the playoffs. The Wolves, led by ’24 4-star Syracuse commit, Jamie Tremble, were able to pull away and get the win over the Dragons, 42-20.
The Dragons, got the ball first to begin the ball game. After their opening drive stalled, they would be forced to punt. The Wolves, would block the punt and return it to the Dragon 20-yd line. The next play, Wolves QB Ben Brown found Tremble for a 20-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 10:31 left in the first quarter, Wesleyan led Pickens, 7-0. The Dragons, saw some success with their second drive of the game as they drove into Wolves territory.
The Dragons, would go for it on fourth down, but would not be able to convert. The Wolves, would add to their lead on their following possession as Brown would keep it and score from 20 yards out. The PAT was good and with 5:35 left in the first quarter, Wesleyan led Pickens, 14-0. The Dragons, got on the board as Senior QB Sam Streicher found the receiving touchdown leader in 3A, McCord Purdy for a 26-yd touchdown. The PAT from Senior Charlie Gibbons was good and they’d head to the second quarter with Wesleyan leading, 14-7.
The Wolves, who started their latest drive towards the tail end of the first quarter, found the end zone on the second play of the second quarter as Brown found Tremble for a 9-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 11:12 left in the first half, Wesleyan now led, 21-7. The Wolves, added to their lead as Brown tossed the ball to Townes Hardy as Brown was being dragged down for a 2-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 3:55 left in the first half, Wesleyan led 28-7.
The Dragons, found the end zone after Streicher hit Landon Poole with the screen pass and Poole broke several tackles and ran 44-yds for the touchdown. The PAT was no good and the two teams would go into the half with Wesleyan leading, 28-13.
The Wolves, got the ball first to start the second half. Wesleyan would score on their first possession of the second half as Brown found Tremble for a 53-yd touchdown. The PAT was partially blocked, but just still barely made it through. With 11:08 left in the third quarter, the Wolves led the Dragons, 35-13. The Wolves, would add a 35-yd touchdown near the end of the third quarter as Brown hit Carter Hayes. The PAT was good and as they headed to the fourth, Wesleyan led, 42-13.
The lone score in the fourth quarter came from the Dragons as Streicher hit Purdy for a 35-yd touchdown. The PAT was good from Gibbons and that would give us the final score of Wesleyan 42 Pickens 20.
Region 7 matches up with region 6 in the first round of the playoffs. The four teams representing region 7 in the AAA football playoffs will be Lumpkin, Wesleyan, White County, and Gilmer. Lumpkin, will host Gordon Lee, Wesleyan will host Ringgold, White County will travel to Bremen, and Gilmer will travel to Adairsville.
Dragons defeat Warriors to keep playoff hopes alive
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 28, 2023
Cleveland, Ga — It was a beautiful night for football on Friday, October, 27th as the Pickens Dragons made their way up to Cleveland to take on the White County Warriors. Coming into the game, the Dragons looked to build off of a nice win over West Hall at home last week. The Warriors, looked to bounce back after a high scoring, 4 overtime affair with Lumpkin. In an action packed, intense, back and forth game, the Dragons came away with the 39-37 win to keep their playoff chances alive.
The Dragons, got the ball first to start the ball game and moved down the field pretty effectively. As the drive looked like it was possibly about to stall, QB Sam Streicher tossed the ball to Landon Poole on a screen play and Poole took it 32 yards for the touchdown. The PAT was blocked and with 8:40 left in the first quarter, Pickens led White County, 6-0. The Warriors, would answer nearly two minutes later as QB Tripp Nix took it in from 15-yds out. The PAT would be good and with 6:41 left in the first quarter, the Warriors led the Dragons, 7-6.
The Warrior defense, then created a turnover on the Dragons next possession as a pass was tipped and intercepted. The Warriors, would cash in on the turnover and score a 1-yd touchdown. The PAT would be blocked and with 5:26 left in the first quarter, White County led Pickens, 13-6. The Dragons, turned to the run game with their next possession as RB Miguel Salto took the handoff and ran 66-yds for the touchdown. The PAT from Charlie Gibbons was good and as they headed to the second quarter, the game would be tied at 13.
Streicher looking down field to throw
The Dragons, began the second quarter by capping off a drive that started towards the end of the first quarter as Streicher found WR McCord Purdy for an 8-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 10:39 left in the first half, Pickens led White County, 20-13. The Dragons, then caught the Warriors by surprise as Gibbons executed a picture perfect onside kick that landed right into Poole’s arms. The defense for White County, was able to get a stop and their offense responded with a drive that led to a 9-yd touchdown run by Nix. The PAT was no good and with 3:52 left in the first half, the Dragons led the Warriors, 20-19.
Just before the end of the half, Streicher connected with Purdy again from 8-yds out for the score. The PAT was good and Pickens went into the break leading White County, 27-19.
Dragons looking to stop a running play
The Warriors, got the ball first in the second half looking to cut into the Dragons lead or possibly tie it. RB Ryan Fowler, capped off the drive with a 4-yd touchdown. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good and with 8:23 left in the third quarter, the Dragons led the Warriors, 27-25. Later on in the quarter, Streicher found Purdy for the 3rd time as Purdy got in from 7-yds out. The PAT was no good. Going to the fourth quarter, Pickens led White County, 33-25.
Dragons set to run a play inside the 10-yd line
Almost three minutes into the fourth quarter, the Warriors scored after the third rushing touchdown from Nix. This one from 5-yds out. White County, tried going for two, but the pass was batted down. With 9:02 left in the game, Pickens held on to a 33-31. The next drive for the Dragons saw WR Hayden Jones come up with some massive catches including a one handed catch.
That incredible catch help set up a 2-yd touchdown run by Streicher. The PAT was no good and with 6:40 left in the game, Pickens led White County, 39-31. The Warriors, once again found the end zone as their guy, Nix, ran it in from 6-yds out for his fourth rushing score of the game. The ensuing 2-point conversion attempt was almost complete, but the ball fell out of the receivers hands as he went to the ground. The Dragons, held onto a 39-37 lead with 3:40 left in the game. The Dragons offense, behind Streicher making a couple of clutch throws to Jones and getting some tough yards with his legs, was able to run out the remaining time and pick up a massive road win, 39-37.
7-AAA Football Standings:
Lumpkin: 9-0 (5-0) Region Champions
Wesleyan: 5-3 (4-1) #2 seed (regardless of outcomes next week)
Gilmer: 6-3 (3-2)
Pickens: 3-6 (2-3)
White County: 4-5 (2-3)
Dawson County: 2-8 (2-4)
West Hall: 1-8 (0-5)
The Dragons, will once again be on the road to finish out the 2023 regular season as they head to Wesleyan to take on the Wolves on Friday, November, 3rd. There will be some scoreboard watching going on that night. A win by the Dragons, plus a win by their friends to the north, Gilmer (play at White County), will put the Dragons into the playoffs. Kick off against Wesleyan is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons run rule Wesleyan to win series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 9, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was a cold, and rainy day on Thursday, March 9th as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Wesleyan Wolves to Dunn Field for the third and final game of their 3-game region series. After the Wolves took game 1 on Tuesday, the Dragons rebounded and tied the series up with a win at Wesleyan on Wednesday. The Dragons, got a complete game shutout from Freshman A.J. Rice as they came away with a 10-0 win in 5 innings.
In the top of the first, Rice sat the Wolves down in order as he got a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons got back to back 1-out walks from Trace Ledbetter and Cade Sutton. Dawson Holland, then drew a 2-out walk to load the bases. Trey Payne, brought in Ledbetter and Sutton on a 2-RBI single. Kam Jenkins, drove in Holland with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice again had a 1-2-3 inning as he got a ground out, and 2 more strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the second, Colby Brooks laid down a bunt, and was able to get to 2nd after a 2 base error. Brooks, would then be thrown out on a fielder’s choice as Ledbetter reached. The Wolves, got out of the second with no damage done. Going to the third, the Dragons led the Wolves, 3-0.
In the top of the third, Rice went 1-2-3 for the 3rd straight inning as he picked up 2 more K’s giving him 5 on the night. In the bottom of the third, designated hitter Harlan Will, led off with a walk, and Holland followed up with a single. Trey Payne, moved the runners over to 2nd and 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Jenkins, then drew a walk on 4 straight pitches to load the bases up with 1-out.
Evan Giddens, drove in pitch runner Jackie Jarrett and Holland to make it 5-0 Dragons. Brooks, kept the line moving with a 2-strike hit, bringing in courtesy runner Tee Knight to make it 6-0. Connor Shouse, drew a walk on 4 straight pitches to load the bases up. The Wolves, got back to back strikeouts to prevent any more damage. Going to the fourth, the Dragons led the Wolves, 6-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Wolves, got a 2-out double and a single to put runners at the corners. Rice, facing his first jam of the night, picked up his 2nd K of the inning and his 7th overall to keep Wesleyan scoreless and send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Holland reached with a 1-out single. He would then be forced out at 2nd as Trey Payne reached on a fielders choice.
Jenkins, advanced Payne to 3rd on a single. Jenkins would move up to 2nd on the play.The Wolves, got a line out to left field to end the scoring threat and send it to the fifth with the Dragons still leading, 6-0.
In the top of the fifth, the lead off man for the Wolves got on base for the first time. the 2nd batter, then reached on an error. Rice, showing great poise for a Freshman, got 2 straight K’s and a line out to left to strand the runners and keep Wesleyan scoreless. In the bottom of the fifth, Brooks, led off with an infield single. Shouse, then hit a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs.
Ledbetter, hit a single up the middle to bring in Brooks and Shouse on the 2-RBI knock. Tyler Payne, who came in for Will in the fourth inning, drew a full count walk to reach 1st. Holland, then drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 9-0. A single by Trey Payne, brought in Rice, who pitch ran for Tyler Payne to give the Dragons the 10-0 win, and the 2-1 series win over Wesleyan.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a walk, a double, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a walk, a single, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Harlan Will: 1 walk
Tyler Payne: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Trey Payne: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 sacrifice bunt, and 3 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Evan Giddens: 1-3 with 1 single and 2 RBI
Colby Brooks: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jackie Jarrett: 1 run scored
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 1 run scored & 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K on 76 pitches
The Dragons, assured themselves of at least 2nd place in the 7-AAA standings after the first week of region play with their 2-1 series win over Wesleyan. Next week, the Dragons will begin a series with the White County Warriors on the road on Tuesday, March 14th. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons even series with Wesleyan after complete game from Tilley
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 8, 2023
Norcross, Ga — On Wednesday, March 8th, the Pickens Dragons traveled to Norcross to take on the Wesleyan Wolves in game 2 of a 3 game series. The Wolves, took game 1 of the series on Tuesday, March 7th in Jasper by a score of 6-1. The Dragons, got a monster performance from James Tilley as they evened up the series with a 4-3 win.
In the top of the first, Connor Shouse would lead off with a walk. The Wolves, would then induce a ground ball double play. Cade Sutton, kept the inning alive with a 2-out double. Sutton, would be left stranded at 2nd as they went to the bottom of the first scoreless. In the bottom of the frame, Wesleyan’s lead off man reached after a dropped 3rd strike. After a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch, the Wolves had a runner on 2nd with 1-out. The Wolves then drew a 1-out walk.
Wesleyan, then executed a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Dragons starter James Tilley, got a line out to 2nd and a strikeout to leave the runners stranded and send it to the top of the second still scoreless.
In the top of the second, Dawson Holland would lead off by drawing a walk on a full count. Holland, would then be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Trey Payne, then smacked a solo home run over the left field fence to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead going to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, the Wolves lead off man reached on an error. He would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Tilley then got a strikeout and a fly out to get out of the inning. Going to the third, the Dragons led, 1-0.
In the top of the third, Evan Giddens led off with a single. Trace Ledbetter, then drew a 1-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. They would advance to 2nd and 3rd on a wild pitch. The Wolves, were able to get out of the jam with a pop out and a strikeout. In the bottom of the third, the Wolves got a 1-out double. The runner would advance on a throwing error on the same play. A sacrifice fly to right field brought the runner in to tie it at 1 going to the top of the fourth.
In the top of the fourth, Holland, led off with a single. Trey Payne followed it up with a single of his own. Christian Starks, moved them over to 2nd and 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Holland, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 2-1 Dragons. Trey Payne, would be left stranded at 3rd as the Wolves got a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Wolves got a lead off home run to tie things up at 2. After Tilley got back to back ground outs, the Wolves would hit a 2nd solo home run to take a 3-2 lead going to the top of the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Shouse led off by reaching on an error. Ledbetter, followed up with a single to center that moved Shouse over to 3rd. Ledbetter would advance to 2nd on an error. Sutton, followed with a single that brought in both Shouse and Ledbetter to give the Dragons a 4-3 lead going to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Wolves went down in order on 8 pitches. Going to the sixth, the Dragons now led the Wolves, 4-3.
In the top of the sixth, the Dragons got a 2-out single by Giddens, but that would be all as we’d head to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, the Wolves got a 2-out double, but that would be all that Tilley allowed as he ended the inning with his 6th K. Going to the seventh, the Dragons held a 4-3 lead over the Wolves.
In the top of the seventh, the Dragons got a 1-out walk by Sutton, and a 2-out hit by Holland. They would be left stranded as they went to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the seventh, Tilley finished what he started as he collected 2 K’s and a grounder to 1st base to give the Dragons the 4-3 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a walk, 1 single, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with a double, a single, a walk, and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 2-4 with a home run, a single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1 sacrifice bunt
Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 2 singles
James Tilley: 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 8 K on 100 pitches
After splitting the first two games of the series, it comes down to the third and final game as both teams will meet one more time. Game three, will be back in Jasper on Thursday, March 9th. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons drop region opener to Wesleyan
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 8, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day at the ball park on Tuesday, March 7th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Wesleyan Wolves for game 1 of a 3 game series to begin 7-AAA play. The Dragons, came in with a 7-2 record entering region play. The Wolves, came in with a deceiving 3-3 record. While they did lose a lot from their 2022 State Championship team, they’re still a really good team. This game was tightly played up until the 7th inning as the Wolves were able to get a 6-1 win.
In the top of the first, the Wolves plated 1 run on 1 walk and 1 error as Dragons starter and Georgia Tech commit, Connor Shouse, limited the damage to just that as he tagged the runner out at 3rd to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the first, the Dragons would go down in order and we’d head to the top of the second with Wesleyan leading Pickens, 1-0.
In the top of the second, Shouse settled down and forced three ground ball outs on 8 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Tyler Payne got things going with a lead off double he smacked over the left fielders head. A ground ball to the 2nd baseman by Dawson Holland, moved Payne’s courtesy runner Tee Knight over to 3rd with 2 outs. With a 2 strike count on him, Harlan Will smacked an RBI single just underneath the 2nd baseman to bring in Knight and tie it up at 1 going to the top of the third.
In the top of the third, the Wolves led off with a bloop single that just got by the diving Evan Giddens. Shouse, then got a grounder right to him, a grounder to third, and his 2nd strikeout of the game to leave the runner stranded. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons, would go down in order and the game would move to the fourth still tied at 1.
In the top of the fourth, the Wolves retook the lead after a 1-out walk and a 2-out double to make it 2-1. In the bottom half of the fourth, the Dragons couldn’t get anything going as they went down in order to send it to the fifth with the Wolves up, 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, the Wolves got a hit and a walk in between 2 Shouse strikeouts. The top half of the fifth ended when Shouse sniffed out a steal attempt, and the Dragons were able to tag him before the runner at 3rd scored to keep it at 2-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Holland led off with a single. He then advanced to 2nd on a steal. The Wolves, got a pop up and a strikeout to strand Holland at 2nd and send it to the sixth with Wesleyan still up, 2-1.
In the top of the sixth, the Wolves added to their lead with a 1-out solo home run to make it 3-1. JP Nunn, then came on in relief of Shouse and kept the Wolvesfrom potentially scoring more and send it to the bottom of the sixth with Wesleyan now up, 3-1. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons went down in order. They worked a pair of full counts during the bottom of the frame, but just couldn’t get anything going. Going to the seventh, Wesleyan led, 3-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Wolves plated 3 runs to stretch their lead to 6-1. In the bottom of the seventh, the Dragons got a lead off walk from Tyler Payne, and a single from Trey Payne. Holland, reached on a fielder’s choice as Tyler Payne’s courtesy runner, Knight, advanced to 3rd on the play. The Wolves, got out of the threat with two straight fly outs to get the 6-1 win in game 1 of the series.
Stats for the Dragons:
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a double and 1 walk
Trey Payne: 1-3 with 1 single
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a single and a stolen base
Harlan Will: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
The Dragons, will have no time to dwell on this game as they will be right back at it on Wednesday, March 8th as they head down to Wesleyan to take on the Wolves in game 2 of the 3-game set. The Dragons, will look to even up the series before it comes back to Jasper on Thursday, March 9th. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons still in play for #3 seed in next week’s region tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 10, 2023
Jasper, Ga — After a big win over White County on Friday, February 3rd, the Pickens Dragons found themselves in a tie for 2nd in the 7-AAA region standings. On Tuesday, February 7th the Dragons welcomed the #9 team in 3A, the Wesleyan Wolves for a big game in 7-AAA. The Wolves, who came in as the top team in the region, defeated the Dragons earlier in the season and the Dragons were looking to earn the in season split. After a back and forth first half, Wesleyan took over in the second half to pick up a 62-48 win.
The Dragons started the game off hot with two straight three pointers from Jaden Stewart and Caleb Lanford to go up 6-0 early. James McGriff, ended the run with a bucket to make it 6-2. Kadyn Hampton, then answered that with a basket to make it 8-2. McGriff, cut the Pickens lead in half with another make as it was now 8-4. Lanford, made his second three pointer of the quarter to stretch the lead out to 11-4.
Another McGriff basket made it 11-6. Josh Kavel, then added a pair of free throws to cut the Dragons lead down to 11-8. After a tough turnaround hook shot that Isaiah Williams banked in, Wesleyan went on a 6-0 run as Kavel, Thomas Chipman, and Brayden Tidwell put the Wolves on top for the first time at 14-13. Lanford, gave Pickens the lead back with a pair of free throws to close out the first quarter. Going to the second quarter, the Dragons led, 15-14.
The second quarter began with Henry Massie making a three pointer to give the Wolves a 17-14 lead. Camden Dunn, then tied the game with a basket. Massie, hit another three to give Wesleyan its biggest lead of the game up until this point at 20-17. The Dragons then went on a 4-0 run as Lanford and Nathan Wallace both got shots to drop and retake the lead, 21-20. McGriff, converted an and-1 play to give the Wolves a 23-21 lead.
Caleb Keith, made a bucket to tie things back up at 23 a piece. Kavel, made his first three pointer of the game to give Wesleyan a 26-23 lead. Dunn, then made back to back trips to the free throw line where he was able to tie the game back up at 26. Kavel, got into the lane and made the layup just before the second quarter buzzer to give the Wolves a 28-26 lead going into the break.
The third quarter, was not a kind one to the Dragons as Wesleyan took advantage. The Wolves started off the second half with a bucket from McGriff to make it 30-26. After a pair of free throws from Stewart, McGriff hit a three pointer to make it 33-28. Dunn, would split a pair of free throws to make it 33-29. Chipman, stretched the Wesleyan lead out to 35-29 with a bucket. Lanford, got the first field goal of the quarter for the Dragons as he made it 35-31.
The Wolves, closed the third quarter on an 11-0 run to open up their biggest lead of the game as they went to the fourth, 46-31.
McGriff, made a pair of free throws to begin the fourth quarter to give Wesleyan a 48-31 lead. Lanford, scored the forst points of the quarter for the Dragons to make it 48-33. Stewart, then hit a three pointer to cut it to 48-36. After the two teams went back and forth trading buckets, the Wolves led, 57-38. Keith, made a three pointer to make it 57-41. After a basket by Chipman, Keith hit another three and Hampton made a layup to make it 59-46.
Chipman made one free throw and Walker Huckaby made both free throws on back to back trips to make it 62-46. Hampton, got the final points of the game with a basket as Wesleyan came away with the 62-48 win.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 14 points
Camden Dunn: 8 points
Caleb Keith: 8 points
Jaden Stewart: 8 points
Kadyn Hampton: 6 points
Nathan Wallace: 2 points
Isaiah Williams: 2 points
The Dragons, will be on the road on Friday, February 10th as they take on the West Hall Spartans in the final game of the regular season. It’s a big game for many reasons. One being that a win for the Dragons will make them the #3 seed in next week’s 7-AAA region tournament. The Dragons, could fall to the #5 spot with a loss so a lot is riding on this last regular season game. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons move into a tie for 2nd with win over White County
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 4, 2023
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were playing some of their best ball heading into their game against the White County Warriors on Friday, February 3rd as they found themselves winners of three of their last four games looking to make it four out of their last five. Back on January 10th, these two met at White County, with the Warriors escaping with a 53-52 win after a 19-0 run by the Dragons to come back. With a win and some help, the Dragons could find themselves tied for 2nd in 7-AAA. And that’s exactly what happened as they picked up a 71-53 win.
The Dragons, got off to a hot start to begin the ball game as they went on a 15-0 run. Pickens, got points from Caleb Lanford, Caleb Keith, Kadyn Hampton, and 3 three pointers from Jaden Stewart during the run. After a bucket by the Warriors ended the long scoring run by the Dragons, McCord Purdy hit his first three pointer of the ball game to make it 18-2. Dawson Bailey, got his first points of the game with a three to make it 18-5 Dragons going to the second.
Camden Dunn got the scoring started in the second quarter as he split a pair of free throws to make it 19-5. David Boman, cut the Pickens lead down to 11 with a three to make it 19-8. The Dragons, then went on a 5-0 run as again Dunn split a pair of free throws, Isaiah Williams got a layup to go, and Stewart continued his early scoring ways with a bucket to make it 24-8. A basket by Braxton Anderson cut the Pickens lead down to 24-10. Dunn, then made a layup and got fouled in the process. Dunn completed the and-1 and made it 27-10.
The Warriors, then went on a 5-0 run as Bailey completed an and-1 play of his own and Tripp Nix got his first points of the game with a bucket to make it 27-15. A basket by Nathan Wallace put an end to that White County run to make it 29-15 Dragons. The Warriors, then went on a big run of their own as they would score 10 straight points to cut the Pickens lead all the way down to 29-25. Parker Davis, ended the run as he made a layup to stretch the lead to 31-25. That would be your score as the game hit halftime.
After the buzzer sounded to end the first half, Pickens was assessed a technical foul. The third quarter began with White County shooting technical free throws, and getting possession. That ended up being a four point swing as the Warriors cut it to 31-29. Dunn, stretched it back out to four with a layup making it 33-29. A three pointer from Zach McCoy made it a one point game at 33-32. The Dragons, then went on a 14-0 run as they got points from Dunn, Williams, and Kadyn Hampton to make it 47-32.
A bucket by the Warriors would put an end to the run making it 47-34. McCord Purdy, hit a three to make it a 16-point lead at 50-34. After Anderson completed an and-1 play, Purdy hit another three to make it 53-37. Anderson, cut it to 53-39 with a layup. Dunn, who had made a living getting into the paint and getting points that way, hit a three to make it 56-39. Purdy, closed a productive quarter for him and the Dragons with a tough basket to make it 58-39 going to the fourth.
Purdy, split a pair of free throws to begin the fourth quarter to make it 59-39. Nix, hit both of his free throw shots to cut it down to 18, 59-41. After a bucket by Caleb Keith, Dawson Oliver went on a personal 4-0 run to make it 61-45 Dragons. Stewart and Anderson would then trade buckets to make it 63-47. Anderson, was then fouled by Stewart and he would make one of the free throws to make it 63-48. Pickens, then went on a 6-0 run getting baskets from Dunn and Stewart, and a pair of free throws from Lanford to make it 69-48.
White County, got a bucket and a free throw in a quick 3-0 run to make it 69-51. Wallace, saw an open lane and took advantage for the layup to make it 71-51. Anderson, got a late layup for the Warriors, but the DRagons came away with the win, 71-53.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Camden Dunn: 17 points
Jaden Stewart: 15 points
McCord Purdy: 12 points
Kadyn Hampton: 7 points
Isaiah Williams: 6 points
Caleb Keith: 4 points
Caleb Lanford: 4 points
Nathan Wallace: 4 points
Parker Davis: 2 points
The Dragons, will be back at it on Tuesday, February 7th as they welcome 3A #9 Wesleyan Wolves to the Dragons Den. The Wolves, beat the Dragons at their place earlier in the season and Pickens will look to split the regular season series. Tip off time is set for 7:30.
Late game heroics sends Dragons into playoffs as 3rd seed
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports November 5, 2022
Jasper, GA — It was the last regular season home game of the 2022 season as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Wesleyan Wolves to Jasper for Senior Night. It was a first time ever meeting between these two teams, who had a lot to play for. A win for either team would secure the #3 seed in the upcoming State playoffs. In a game that was pretty much back and forth throughout, it was the Dragons that came up clutch to pick up the 20-13 win and the 3rd seed out of 7-AAA.
The Dragons, won the toss and elected to differ to the second half. The first possession for Wesleyan did not last very long as Senior Jack Flatt made a great play on the first pass attempt by the Wolves to get the interception. The first drive for the Dragons stalled as they were unable to capitalize on the turnover. Fortunately for Pickens, the defense came up with another interception on Wesleyan’s next possession as Senior Colby Brooks got in front of the receiver and took it to the Wolves 15-yd line. Miguel Salto ended the drive after one play as he took it in for a 15-yd touchdown. The PAT was no good and with 7:52 left in the first quarter, the Dragons led the Wolves, 6-0. Wesleyan, scored their first points of the game at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter after a 25-yd touchdown pass. Their PAT was successful and the Wolves now led Pickens, 7-6, as we headed to the second quarter.
Sam Streicher looking for Brooks
In the second quarter, the Dragons defense was up to it again as a high snap caused a timing issue for the Wolves and led to a fumble recovery for Pickens. The Dragons, cashed in on the Wolves third turnover of the game as Salto found the end zone from a yard out for his second score of the game. The PAT was again missed and Pickens would go into the break leading Wesleyan, 12-7.
This snap led to a Dragons fumble recovery
With no scoring in the third quarter, we’ll pick it up in the fourth. Wesleyan got down to the Dragon 1-yd line after a big pass and catch connection by the Wolves. To their credit, the defense for Pickens, still holding on to a 12-7 lead, held Wesleyan to a 20-yd field goal that made it 12-10 Dragons with 10:23 left in the ball game. Later on in the quarter, Pickens held the Wolves again to a field goal attempt. This one, from 36 yards out. Wesleyan also connected with that kick to retake the lead, 13-12 with 3:58 left in the game.
Trailing with time running down, this Dragons team, especially the Dragon team we’ve seen as of late, was not rattled. Hoping to engineer a potential game winning drive, Juniors Sam Streicher and Marcus Pike got their connection going. Streicher looked for Pike down the sideline, which drew the flag and set up the Dragons at the Wesleyan 9-yd line. Riding the hot hand, Streicher, connected with Pike in the corner of the end zone for a 9-yd touchdown. Pickens then made the decision to go for two to try to make it a 7 point game. They did just that as Streicher found Gabe Neil, who made an incredible one handed grab with a Wolves defender wrapped around him for the 2-point conversion.
With 1:03 left in the game, it was Wesleyan’s turn to try to come up with some magic of their own. Having just gotten over into Dragon territory with just around 20 seconds left, the Wolves threw a deep pass that was picked off by Mason Stanfield. That interception, sealed the Dragons fourth consecutive win, and the #3 seed out of 7-AAA.
Final 7-AAA Standings:
Dawson: 8-2 (6-0) Region Champion #1 seed
Lumpkin: 8-2 (5-1) #2 seed
Pickens: 5-5 (4-2) #3 seed
Wesleyan: 4-6 (3-3) #4 seed
White County: 4-6 (2-4)
Gilmer: 5-5 (2-4)
West Hall: 1-9 (0-6)
Big 2nd half propels Dragons into playoffs
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 29, 2022
Jasper, GA — It was a beautiful Friday night for football as the Pickens Dragons hosted the White County Warriors in a critical 7-AAA game. Pickens, came into the game tied for 3rd in the region standings with Wesleyan. White County, were on the outside looking in coming into the game, but still had a shot at punching their playoff ticket. After being down early, the Dragons outscored the Warriors 48-14 to pick up their third straight win, 48-28.
The Dragons, won the opening coin toss and elected to differ to the second half. After both offenses had a crack with the ball, the Warriors struck first with a 16-yd TD pass. The PAT was good and with 4:11 left in the first quarter, White County led Pickens, 7-0. The Warriors, added on to their lead after a 73-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and as they went into the second quarter, White County led the Dragons, 14-0.
Dragons defending the run
The Dragons, got their offense going in the second quarter as they drove down the field and finished off the drive with a 2-yd touchdown run by Miguel Salto. The PAT was good and with 8:06 left in the first half, Pickens cut the Warriors lead down to 14-7. After the Dragons forced White County to punt, Pickens started their next possession on their own 6-yd line. After a loss of a yard on first down, the Dragons took a shot down field as Sam Streicher connected with Marcus Pike, who took it the distance for a 95-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 4:40 left in the first half, the game was now tied at 14. With 2 seconds left in the first half, the Warriors set up for a 41-yd field goal. The kick fell short and at the half, we were tied at 14 a piece.
Dragons looking to cut the lead in half
To start the third quarter, the Dragons got the ball first. The possession didn’t last long as Salto broke through for a 56-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 11:08 left in the third, Pickens took it’s first lead of the game at 21-14. White County, was able to come right back and tie things up with a 3-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and we had a tie game again at 21. With the two teams going back and forth, it was the Dragons turn as Streicher found a wide open Gabe Neil for a 43-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 6:36 left in the third, Pickens led, 28-21.
The Warriors, matched that score with a 25-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 3:56 left, the game was once again tied. This time, at 28 a piece. The Dragons, got the last score the quarter as Streicher rolled to his left and found a wide open Isaiah Williams for a 20-yd touchdown. The PAT was no good and as we headed to the fourth, Pickens led White County, 34-28.
Miguel Salto receiving the hand off
A little over midway through the fourth quarter, the Dragons added to their lead as Streicher again found Williams on the exact same play. Williams would take it in from 26 yards for his second score of the game. The PAT was good and with 5:38 left in the game, Pickens led the Warriors, 41-28. After a turnover on downs by White County, the Dragons used the short field to their advantage as Colby Brooks took it in from 2 yards out on the sweep. The PAT was good and with 1:57 left in the game, Pickens now led, 48-28. That would be your final score as the Dragons make it three in a row.
7-AAA Football Standings:
Dawson County: 8-2 (6-0) *Region champions
Lumpkin County: 7-2 (3-2)
Pickens: 4-5 (3-2)
Wesleyan: 4-5 (3-2)
Gilmer: 4-5 (2-3)
White County: 3-6 (1-4)
West Hall: 1-8 (0-5)
With the win, the Dragons have earned a spot into the AAA playoffs. Pickens, will be at home again next week as they welcome the Wesleyan Wolves to Jasper for a first time meeting. This will determine the 3rd place in the region standings heading into the playoffs. Kick off is set for 7:30 pm.