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.