LCHS Wins Their First Road Game of the Season in Blairsville Against the Union County Panthers 28-6

The Lumpkin County Indians went over the mountain on Friday to face off against the Union County Panthers at the Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium. The Indians were coming off of a strong offensive and defensive performance from the previous week against Riverside Academy and looked to keep the momentum on the road. The Indians dominated the first half of the contest, scoring three touchdowns and only allowing one defensively, making the score 21-6 at the half. Just like the Indian’s first game of the season, the rain and lightning came down and caused a significant delay. The delay would end and the Indians would get the ball to begin the third quarter. Neither team would score in the third quarter as each team put on a defensive clinic and left the score at 21-6 as the final quarter began. The fourth quarter started and the Indian defense continued to frustrate the Panther offense. The Panthers were unable to score and allowed a clutch down to Indians quarterback #18 Scott Cooper with 5 minutes left in the contest. The Panthers were unable to respond in the final series of the game, making the final score Indians 28, and Panthers 6.

The Panthers began the game unable to put together a scoring drive and turning over the ball to the Indians. #18 Cooper Scott showed off his athleticism in the first quarter, accruing several first downs by running the ball and ending the drive with a pass to the endzone, making the score 7-0 Indians. The Panther’s offense responded but was unable to score due to a fumble picked up by the Indians. The Indians took advantage of the fumble by the Panthers, running the ball down the field and allowing offensive back #32 Mason Sullens to rush into the endzone making the score 14-0 Indians. The Panthers would respond by immediately making it to the end zone after getting the ball, however, there was a flag on the play. The flag would go against the Panthers for an illegal block in the back voiding their potential first score of the game. The quarter came to a close with the Indians over the Panthers 14-0.

After a costly flag to end the first quarter, the Panthers went for it on fourth down and turned the ball over to the Indians. The next drive by the Indians would last almost eight minutes and result in a touchdown thrown by Cooper Scott making the score 21-0. The Indians looked to continue their dominance on defense, squibbing the kick in hopes to get the ball back. The Panthers would pick up the kick and looked ready to put their first points up on the board. It was a rough series for the Panthers, fumbling the ball and allowing linebacker #55 Connor Greilich to get to the quarterback on third down for a loss of yards. The Panthers showed grit and went for it on fourth down and were able to make it to the endzone in the final seconds of the half. After the touchdown, the extra point was missed, making the score 21-6.

As the half came to a close, rain and lightning began to come through the area causing a lengthy delay before the third quarter could begin. The game would resume play and the Indians would start the half with the ball. The Indians would go four and out on the first series of the half and were forced to punt. The Indian defense would match the Panthers, forcing a turnover on downs thanks to a sack by offensive linebacker #25 Cameron Stringer. The defense was on full display in the third quarter; neither team was able to score and the score remained 21-6 Indians on top as the fourth quarter began.

The final quarter began with the Indians running the ball down the field before they were forced to punt. The Panthers needed to score on the next drive to have a chance at a comeback with only nine minutes left in the game. However, they were unable to get any traction and were forced to punt it to the Indians. The Indians put together a quality drive, taking the ball down to the Panther’s 25-yard line. This week’s player of the week #18 Cooper Scott continued to impress during the series throwing a 20-yard pass to get the Indians into the red zone and then completing a 5-yard run to put his team up 28-6 with four minutes left to play. This series by the offense would be more than enough to guarantee an Indian victory. The Panthers were unable to score in the final minutes, giving the Indians the ball one more time. The Indians were forced to punt with 30 seconds left in the game. The Panthers were able to attempt one more play before the clock ran out, but it fell incomplete. The game clock would run out making the final score Indians 28 and Panthers 6.

The Lumpkin County Indians are now 2-0 to start their season and will aim to continue their dominant start as they take on the 0-2 Franklin County Lions at home next Friday.