DAHLONEGA — Chestatee football showed on Friday that not only is it learning how to win, it is learning how to do it via different facets of its team.
The War Eagles made enough plays with their passing attack to overcome a relatively quiet game from standout running back Nick Lyles while also riding a gritty defense en route to a 38-33 win over Lumpkin County in Dahlonega.
Lyles, who is among the state leaders in rushing, managed 69 yards and a score against an Indians defense determined to stop the run -- but quarterback Storm Yarbrough more than made up for it, completing 11 of 19 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Reggie James and Jacob Goodall. Baylee Camp also hauled in 5 receptions for 137 yards.
“They tried to take Nick Lyles away, and we were able to do some things and score some points and our kids are starting to develop that fight about them; they won’t give up,” Chestatee coach Shaun Conley said.
Meanwhile, the War Eagles defense yielded 488 yards rushing to a powerful Lumpkin County offense but did come up with key stops that made a difference.
“In the end we had two big stands inside the red zone and we were able to hold them out twice which ended up being the difference in the game,” Conley said.
Chestatee raced out to a 10-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Yarbrough to Reggie James (45 yards) and a 330yard field goal from Steven Martinez. But the Indians fired right back for a 13-10 lead on rushing scores from Zach Matthews and Noah Denard. The back-and-forth nature of the contest continued throughout as Chestatee ripped off two unanswered touchdowns for a 24-13 halftime lead.
The War Eagles (3-2) extended that advantage to 31-13 in the third quarter on a blocked punt and touchdown return from Nader Osman. But the Indians (1-2) fired right back with touchdown runs from Denard and Cole White. Yet Yarbrough came up with a rushing touchdown to answer and provide the War Eagles final score.
“The guys are a little bit disappointed tonight because they realize they didn’t play as well as they did last week," Conley said. "Even though we got that victory, we didn’t take a step forward tonight. But I tell you what, we’ll take 3-2.”
Chandler Woodham finished with a game-high 170 yards rushing for Lumpkin County, while Matthews added 147 and White finished with 117.
Lumpkin County will look to rebound next week when it begins Region 7-AAA play against East Hall.
