Friday July 4th, 2025 5:16PM

Indians ready to take next step in playoffs

By By Jeff Hart
DAHLONEGA - After playing Class AA No. 1-ranked Buford to its closest game of the year - a 20-9 loss - Lumpkin County football coach George Hoblitzell said at the time his program was nearly ready to take the next step.

The next step has arrived as the Indians (7-3) travel to Decatur Friday night to play the fifth-ranked Bulldogs in the first round of the Class AA playoffs.

This marks the fourth straight playoff appearance for the Indians with no victories to show the first three seasons. Last year the were beaten by Union Grove 31-26.

Coach George Hoblitzell is hoping that Buford game and the close loss in the playoffs last year will enable them to turn the corner.

"Turnovers in the second half hurt us against Buford and we cannot make those same kinds of mistakes against Decatur," Hoblitzell said. "This would be a huge win for the program and I think we're ready to show that Lumpkin County football has finally arrived."

Buford took advantage of several Lumpkin turnovers erasing a 9-7 Lumpkin lead. It was one of just two leads taken against Buford all year. Hoblitzell said the key will be the play of senior quarterback David Richardson.

He struggled last week in a 41-12 loss to Greater Atlanta Christian. But the game was close until two interceptions provide GAC with a 28-point swing in a matter of five minutes.

"David struggled against them but give GAC credit. they were prepared for us and we didn't adjust very well," he said. "But we've been working on that this week. As David goes, so do we. I expect him to bounce back and have a big game."

It won't be easy against the Bulldogs defense. They have allowed just 22 points combined over their last six games.

"That's a good defense and will will have our work cut out for us. But stopping their offense is just as critical," Hoblitzell.

Decatur has averaged 43.6 points over that same six-game span.

But Hoblitzell knows they are the underdog and few are expecting them to get past Decatur. He says they have a chance to put the Indians program on the map.

"No one expects us to win this thing but if we play the way we played against Buford and not make critical mistakes we can win this thing. Wouldn't that be something," he said.
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