DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – After trailing by four at halftime, Lumpkin County clamped down defensively and exploded offensively in a 38-14 win over Dawson County Friday night.
The Indians were first to the scoreboard as Nolan Matthews broke free for 55 yards and a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but Preston Bannister answered for the Tigers on the ensuing drive with a 1-yard plunge to tie the game.
After Josue Nieto hit a field goal at the end of the first quarter, Dawson County marched down the field and scored the only touchdown of the second quarter as Bannister found Dylan Edwards for a 27-yard passing score to take a 14-10 lead to halftime.
From there, the Indians took over as Matthews had his second and third touchdowns of the night in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, to take a 24-14 lead. Cal Faulkner then got a pick-six before catching a 40-yard pass from Mason Hester to wrap up the scoring.
Matthews finished the night with 14 touches for 229 yards and three scores, while Faulkner had six yards rushing, 14 yards passing and 40 yards receiving. Gunner Weaver had 113 yards passing for the Tigers, while Bannister finished with 126 through the air and another 34 on the ground.
Dawson County will travel to North Hall next week, while Lumpkin County heads to Pickens. Neither team has clinched a playoff spot nor been eliminated.
