DAHLONEGA - The postseason remains a possibility for Chestatee, and the War Eagles can thank the rushing of their workhorse, a stifling defense and one huge play from a sophomore defensive back.
Friday night's 24-22 win over Lumpkin County still wasn't in hand until the final minute of the game, and it came down to a two-point conversion.
It was the Indians drawing first blood, capitalizing on the first of three Chestatee turnovers. Following a fumble, Cameron Jackson scored on a 24-yard touchdown screen pass three plays later to give his team an early 7-0 lead.
Jackson ended with 81 yards rushing to go along with the catch.
The War Eagles came right back, though, with a 14-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Sweet scoring from twelve yards out to make it 7-7. It was just the beginning of a good night for the Chestatee fullback.
In the second quarter, the Indians were able to drive deep into Chestatee territory twice, but couldn't put the ball in the endzone. Kicker Ben Ayers ended both possessions, though, with field goals. The first came from 23 yards out--the other from 42 yards away to give Lumpkin a 13-7 lead.
But Chestatee would have the last laugh in the first half. Again, the War Eagles drove the ball 80 yards, and again it was Sweet finding the endzone for a 14-13 halftime lead.
The second half had plenty of close calls and big plays; most of which just happened to go the way of Chestatee.
Lumpkin found itself just outside the red zone of the War Eagles in the third quarter, and head coach Tommy Jones opted to go for the first down on a fourth-and-one play at the 21-yard line.
Quarterback Daniel Abercrombie was stopped just short of the first down marker, though.
Chestatee got the ball back into Lumpkin territory, but the drive looked dead when the War Eagles faced a third-and-32 play near midfield. But a draw play to Ben Souther turned into a 49-yard run for a first down, and Sweet later trotted in from 27 yards out to give Chestatee a 21-13 lead.
Sweet finished his great game with 251 yards on the ground and all three War Eagle touchdowns. Meanwhile, Ben Souther finished with 142 yards on just ten rushes.
After a Lumpkin punt, Chestatee expanded its lead thanks to a 26-yard field goal from Zach Mills for a 24-13 lead. It seemed to be enough to win the game, considering the great play from Chestatee's defense. But Lumpkin had other plans.
Again Ayers hit a field goal from 41 yards out to cut the lead to 24-16. Ayers finished 3-of-4 on the night, with the one miss coming on a block by Chris Howard in the second quarter.
Chestatee led another long drive into Lumpkin territory, but Mills missed a field goal on the fourteenth play of the possession to give the Indians one more chance. They'd take advantage of it.
Running back Ken Jackson, who was shut down most of the night, broke off a 49-yard run into Chestatee territory. It helped set up a Cameron Jackson 16-yard touchdown run to make the score 24-22 with just over two minutes to go.
It came down to a two-point conversion to tie the game. Backup quarterback Chris Guthrie's pass was broken up by sophomore Cam Phillips to foil the conversion and possibly save Chestatee's season.
Now it comes down to next week for the War Eagles, who must win against rival North Hall. Chestatee must also hope that White County loses to Lumpkin, who goes from playoff hopeful to possible postseason spoiler with the loss.
Saturday
August 2nd, 2025
10:08AM
