DAHLONEGA — Time ran out on Lumpkin County football in the Indians' season opener on Friday in Dahlonega.
The Indians attempted to fight back from an 11-point second half deficit against Model but could not find the telling score, falling 21-18.
Lumpkin County (0-1) overcame an early score from the visitors to notch a 10-7 halftime advantage but watched as Model ripped off back-to-back third quarter touchdowns. Indians quarterback Zach Matthews answered one of the scores on a 9-yard touchdown run with 9:57 remaining and tacked on a two-point conversion run to pull Lumpkin within a field goal, but Model held firm and pulled out the victory.
Matthews paced the Lumpkin offense with 105 yards rushing on 19 carries, while Cole White added 76 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Austin Pierce also chipped in with 52 yards on 17 rushes.
White's touchdown made it 7-7 in the second quarter, before Wesley Wells drilled a 30-yard field goal to give the hosts a 10-7 advantage at the interval.
The Indians fell behind, however, and could not catch back up. Lumpkin County will take next week off before taking on Union County on Sept. 4.
