DAHLONEGA, Ga. — After averaging 42 points/game last season, the Lumpkin County offense was still looking to get untracked in 2024.
The Indians came into Friday’s showdown with Dunwoody scoring just 48 points in their first two games (24.0 ppg). They nearly matched that in the first half in an eventual 49-35 win over the Class 5A Wildcats at The Burial Grounds.
And with the Region 6-3A title race beginning next week against Greater Atlanta Christian, they couldn't have picked a more perfect time to finally bust loose. However, Lumpkin County coach Heath Webb said his group did exactly what he asked.
The Indians (2-1) scored on seven of their nine possessions for the game.
“We knew we weren’t really going to be able to keep (Dunwoody) off the scoreboard. We knew it would be difficult to stop those guys,” Webb said. “Our goal was to make every offensive possession count. I think we did a good job of that.”
Junior running back Nolan Matthews helped the Indians run out to a stunning 35-6 lead at halftime. Matthews had 145 yards of his 210 total in the first half, including runs of 31, 10, and 27 yards for scores.
“(Nolan) played receiver last year. He's at his natural position now, which is running back. So it's good to see him have the success that he's had with back-to-back 100-yard games and multiple touchdowns. He's doing a great job, and the offensive line is doing a good job for him,” Webb said.
Quarterback Cal Faulkner finished an efficient 17-of-20 passing for 165 yards and 1 TD and also ran for a pair of touchdowns as part of his 95 yards rushing.
However, the Wildcats also may have given GAC plenty of tape on the Indians’ defense after outscoring Lumpkin County 29-14 in the second half with relative ease.
Dunwoody quarterback Matt Peach was 30-of-48 for 306 yards and 3 TDs but he also was picked off once in the second half to snuff out another potential scoring drive.
“Again, we knew they were a really good offense. I don’t think we played bad at all on the back end. It’s just they’re really good,” Webb said. “The biggest issue for us was they had five guys over 300-pounds on the line. It’s hard to get a pass rush against a wall like that.
“There are always things you need to work on, but other than a few injuries on defense, I like where we are right now. You always want to start region strong, but I haven’t looked at GAC yet. I guess we’ll see what they have this upcoming week.”
Lumpkin scored on five of its first six possessions to open the game, paced by Matthews. Faulkner capped the opening Indians’ drive with a 12-yard TD pass to Trent Mobley. From there, it was the Matthews Show.
After AJ Scott ripped the ball out of Dunwoody running back Caden Celestine’s hand at midfield, Matthews ripped off his 31-yard TD score three plays later for a quick 14-0 lead. Matthews added a 10-yard TD run on Lumpkin’s next possession as he finished with 118 yards in the opening quarter.
Dunwoody answered back with a 2-yard TD run from Cameron Irastorza to cap a 70-yard drive, but the Wildcats’ 2-point pass failed as they trailed 21-6 in the second quarter.
In the final six minutes of the half, Matthews scored again on a 27-yard explosion, and Faulkner added a 1-yard TD run with just 23 seconds left to take a 35-6 lead into the break.
Dunwoody (1-2) pulled within 42-28 on a Celestine 1-yard TD run to cap a 93-yard drive. On a big third down, Nolan sliced through the Wildcats' defense for a 40-yard run to set up Faulkner’s second 1-yard TD run for a 49-28 lead with 4:11 left to put the game out of reach.
The Wildcats scored with 1:07 left on Pearch’s third TD pass of the game for the final score.
Receiver Caleb Hamilton had a big game for Dunwoody with 128 yards on seven catches and two touchdowns.
