Dragons lose heart breaker in final seconds
Featured Stories, Sports, Team FYN Sports December 9, 2020
Jasper, Ga — On December 8th, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Heritage Generals to the Dragons Den for a 7-AAAA battle. Pickens, came into the game 2-1 overall after beating Copper Basin and Fannin in the annual Thanksgiving Tournament. The Dragons were supposed to take on the Lions of Central Carroll last Friday, but Covid issues on Central’s part moved that game to the 14th. This would be the Dragons first game in a week. Heritage, came in 2-4 overall, but already 2-0 in region play. This one, came down to the wire.
The first quarter started off very slow for both teams as there were as many fouls as points in the beginning. Both the Generals and Dragons took turns with the lead a couple of times. After a free throw from Heritage, the Generals took a 14-13 lead over Pickens going to the second quarter.
Dragons working on offense
After exchanging free throws in the early portion of the second quarter, the Dragons opened up a 6 point lead with two straight three pointers from Will Roland to go up 21-15. To close out the first half, the Generals went on a 14-4 run to take a 29-25 lead into the break.
Will Rowland hit two three pointers in the 2nd quarter
In the third quarter, the Dragons went on a 5-0 run to tie things up with the Generals at 30 a piece. Heritage would take a 6 point lead, Pickens cut it to 2 at one point, but as the third quarter came to a close, the Generals took a 46-41 lead over the Dragons going to the fourth.
Senior Tucker Lowe with a three pointer
In the fourth, the Dragons were on the comeback trail. Trailing by 5, Tucker Lowe hit a three pointer, and went one for two at the free throw line to cut the Heritage lead down to 46-45. The Generals then went on a small 4-0 run to make it 50-45. Owen Moss came back with a layup, Lowe hit a three to tie it, and Jaden Stewart, who had bad luck all game long, got a three pointer to fall to make it 53-50 Pickens. Heritage came back with another 4-0 run to make it 54-53 Generals. Luke Rogers then gave Pickens the lead back with a layup to make it 55-54. After a pair of fouls by the Generals, Lowe headed to the free throw line. He would make 1 of 2 to extend the Dragons lead to 56-54. After a Heritage timeout, they were able to hit a three pointer to take a 57-56 lead. A last second attempt at half court by Pickens fell short, and the Generals came away with the win.
Top scorers for the Dragons:
Owen Moss: 17 points
Tucker Lowe: 12 points
Noah Sutton: 11 points
Will Roland: 6 points
Luke Rogers: 4 points
Jaden Stewart: 4 points
7-AAAA Boys Standings:
Heritage: 3-4 (3-0)
NW Whitfield: 2-2 (1-0)
Cedartown: 1-2 (1-0)
Central-Carroll: 1-1 (0-0)
Pickens: 2-2 (0-1)
Ridgeland: 1-3 (0-1)
SE Whitfield: 1-4 (0-1)
Pickens, will be back home on Friday night as they host the Ridgeland Panthers for another 7-AAAA game. It will be Senior Night on Friday for the Dragons who will recognize 7 seniors. Tip off is set for 8:30.
Dragons fall in tough region battle
Sports, Team FYN Sports November 14, 2020
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons hosted the Heritage Generals on Friday the 13th in a big time 7-AAAA game. It was also Senior Night at Dragons Stadium as football players, football managers, cheerleaders, cross country runners, and band members were all recognized. The games with Heritage have been historically close and exciting ones over the past couple of seasons. The winner, would find themselves in 2nd place in the region. The Generals, were able to make some plays defensively and chew up the clock to come away with a 23-7 win.
The Dragons won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. Much like last week against Ridgeland, Pickens came out in their “wild Dragon” formation. Their take on the wildcat. The combination of Jarod Whitmore, Andrew Burrell, and Kadyn Hampton helped march down the field. With freshman Sam Streicher now under center, the Dragons converted a 4th down play as Streicher found Mykel Hand for the first. The drive was capped off by Devin Hand, who took the hand off on a sweep 11-yds for the touchdown. The PAT was good, and Pickens led Heritage 7-0 as we would head to the second quarter.
The Dragons would score on their first possession
In the second quarter, both teams had their chances, but for the majority of the quarter the score remained 7-0 Dragons. The final seventy-one seconds of the first half is where things started to happen. The Generals got on the board for the first time with a 3-yd touchdown run to tie it at 7-7 with 1:11 left in the half. On the first play of the next possession for Pickens, Heritage recovered a fumble after a nice run from the Dragons. With 8 seconds left in the first half, Heritage turned that fumble into points with a 6-yd touchdown pass. Going into the break, the Generals led, 14-7.
Dragons defense looking to stop the Generals run
In the third quarter, Heritage got the ball first to start the second half. The drive ended when Senior Mykel Hand made a leaping grab for the interception at the Dragons 9-yd line. The ensuing drive for Pickens stalled and they would be forced to punt. A high snap forced Whitmore to throw the ball away as he was being pulled down in the end zone. The officials ruled it intentional grounding and since it occurred in the end zone, it was ruled a safety. With 6:39 to go in the third, the Generals now led the Dragons, 16-7. Heritage ran down 5:39 of game clock on their next possession as they were able to score on a 1-yd run on fourth down to make it 23-7 going to the fourth quarter.
Kellogg finds Devin Hand on a screen play
The Dragons began the fourth quarter with the football, but couldn’t get anything going on the drive. After punting it away to the Generals, Heritage kept possession of the ball for what seemed like close to 10 minutes of game time. The Generals would eventually settle for a 36-yd field goal attempt, but it was pushed wide right and no good. On the next play, Heritage picked off a Pickens pass attempt and were able to take a couple of knees to close this one out. Final score, Heritage 23 Dragons 7.
7-AAAA Standings:
Cedartown: 6-2 (4-0) 7-AAAA Region Champions
Heritage: 5-4 (2-2)
Central-Carroll: 5-3 (1-2)
Northwest Whitfield: 6-2 (1-2)
Pickens: 3-5 (1-2)
Ridgeland: 1-7 (1-2)
*(these may not be entirely accurate as maxpreps has the whole region screwed up and with covid cancellations things are pretty complicated. I’ve been trying to keep up with it myself. Apologies if these records are not all right)
Next week, the Dragons will be right back home for the third straight week to close out the regular season as they welcome the Northwest Whitfield Bruins to Dragons Stadium. Playoff implications will most likely be at stake in this game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons pick up big region win over Ridgeland
Sports, Team FYN Sports November 8, 2020
Jasper, Ga — It was a rare Saturday night football game as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Ridgeland Panthers to Dragons Stadium. It was the first game for the Dragons since playing at Cedartown on October 16th. Coming into the game, Pickens was 2-4 overall and 0-1 in region play. The Ridgeland Panthers, came in with an overall record of 1-6, but tied for second place in 7-AAAA at 1-1. Traditionally, the games between Pickens and Ridgeland have been very exciting and very competitive. This one, was no different. Overcoming not having played in twenty-two days and missing some players, the Dragons came away with a 27-18 win.
Pickens, as they have for the majority of the season, won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Dragons, came out in their version of the wildcat offense to begin their opening drive with Senior running back Jarod Whitmore taking the snaps at the QB position. The opening drive ended in points for Pickens as Whitmore ran it in from 5-yds out to give the Dragons an early 7-0 lead. The defense for the Dragons did a good job in the opening quarter against what can be an explosive Panther offense. Going to the second quarter, Pickens led Ridgeland 7-0.
RB Jarod Whitmore taking the snap for the Dragons
In the second quarter, both teams, especially the Dragons, had chances for points, but just couldn’t connect. At the 6:40 mark of the second quarter, the Panthers broke through with a 5-yd TD run. The PAT was no good and Pickens kept the lead, 7-6. The Dragons had another good chance just before the half, but we would head into the break with Pickens ahead of Ridgeland, 7-6.
The Dragons defense was aggressive all night
The Panthers, got the ball first to start the second half and turned their first possession into points after a 50-yd TD run. the two-point conversion attempt was no good. With 10:33 left in the third, Ridgeland took the lead for the first time, 12-7. The Dragons came back with a good drive of their own as Junior Collin Kellogg, who took over at QB after the first possession of the game for Pickens, found Whitmore streaking down the middle of the field for a 28-yd TD. With 5:53 left in the third, the Dragons were back on top, 14-12. As time was running off the clock in the third, the Panthers scored on a 40-yd run. The snap on the PAT attempt was mishandled and the try was no good. Going to the fourth, Ridgeland held an 18-14 lead over Pickens.
Kellogg played well at QB for the Dragons
The Dragons were down, but definitely not out as they turned their first possession of the fourth quarter into points. After a bad snap pushed Pickens from the 6-yd line to the 22-yd line, a holding penalty was called on the Dragons on their fourth down play. The penalty was accepted, and the ball was moved back, making it fourth and goal from the Ridgeland 32-yd line. Kellogg, lofted it up to the left corner of the end zone where Senior WR Mykel Hand fought two Panthers defenders and came down with it to give the Dragons the lead. With 8:51 left in the game, Pickens went ahead, 20-18. On the ensuing kickoff, and without his regular kickers, Dragons head coach Jeff Nelson decided to go for an onside. The gamble paid off as Pickens recovered it. The Dragons cashed in on the recovery as Sophomore Kadyn Hampton took it in from 20-yds out. The PAT was good, and Pickens extended their lead over the Panthers to 27-18. Needing a big play, Ridgeland turned to the passing attack. Junior Conor Browning, picked off a pass attempt, and helped seal the win for the Dragons. The final, 27-18 Pickens.
7-AAAA Standings:
Cedartown: 6-2 (3-0)
Central-Carroll: 5-2 (1-1)
Pickens: 3-4 (1-1)
Northwest Whitfield: 6-2 (1-2)
Ridgeland: 1-7 (1-2)
Heritage: 4-4 (1-2)
Next week, the Dragons will again be at home as they welcome the Heritage Generals to Dragons Stadium. The game will be on Friday, November 13th. Kickoff is set for 7:30 in this 7-AAAA match up.