JASPER, Ga. – Despite trailing in the fourth quarter, Lumpkin County did just enough to hold off Pickens Friday night, 29-26.
With the win and Chestatee's win over GAC, the Indians will be the second seed out of 6-3A and will host the opening round of the 3A playoffs in Dahlonega in two weeks.
The Indians got things started with a 42-yard rushing score from Nolan Matthews to take a 7-0 lead, but the Dragons answered shortly after to tie the game up after the first quarter. Lumpkin County took over in the second quarter as Cal Faulkner got a 4-yard rushing score before Matthews had his second long rushing touchdown, this one from 47 yards out to take a 21-7 lead.
Pickens answered right before halftime to cut the lead to 21-13 before scoring the only touchdown of the third quarter and the first of the fourth to take a 26-21 lead, but the Indians answered the call with Faulkner finding Mason Hester for 59 yards and the lead. The Indians then used some trickeration as AJ Scott found Faulkner in the endzone for a two-point conversion to get to the final score.
Matthews finished the day with 184 yards rushing and two scores, while Faulkner was 7-of-9 passing for 111 yards while rushing for 48 more yards.
