The Lumpkin County Indians Lose Their First Game of the Season Against Their Regional Opponent the Wesleyan Wolves 

By: Noah Johnson

The 1-4 Wesleyan Wolves hosted the 5-0 Lumpkin County Indians at home in the second regional matchup of the season. The game was held on Thursday night instead of the originally scheduled Friday night contest due to concerns over the weather coming from Hurricane Ian. The Indians were coming off a huge regional win over the Pickens Dragons the week prior, whereas the Wolves were looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The first quarter showed off a strong Wolves defense that prevented the Indians from scoring while their offense was able to take the lead 7-0. The Indians would respond at the beginning of the second quarter, scoring to tie the game 7-7. The Wolves offense was able to score on two back-to-back possessions in the second quarter, thanks to a strong offensive attack and an Indians turnover. The Wolves received the ball to begin the second half up 21-7 on the Indians. The 3rd quarter would be a defensive showdown as neither team was able to score, leaving the score with no change as the 4th began. The Wolves began the 4th quarter with an immediate score to put them on top 28-7. The Indians were able to score on the next possession, giving them a chance for a potential comeback with 8 minutes left to play. However, the Indians were unable to score on their next possession after forcing a punt, the score would not change as the game clock ran out. The Wesleyan Wolves hang on to beat the Lumpkin County Indians 28-14. 

The Indians began the game receiving the ball, looking to score early as they have been accustomed to doing in the season so far. The Wesleyan Wolves had other plans as their defense was able to force an Indian punt after a huge sack by #57 Matthew Wright on 3rd down. The Indian’s offense would only have possession of the football for two minutes before being forced to punt to give the Wolves their first possession of the game. The Wolves would take the ball from their 40-yard line after the Indian punt, looking to take advantage of the Indian turnover. The Wolves’ offense powered down the field with an aggressive rushing attack to set them up within the 5-yard line. On the next play, quarterback #19 Ben Brown found #1 James Tremble for a touchdown pass that put the Wolves up 7-0 after the extra point. The Indians received the ball with under six minutes in the quarter. The Indians would take their time getting down the field, setting up a 3rd and 6 in Wolves territory as the first quarter came to a close. 

The Indians opened up the second quarter threatening to score and they would do just that. Player of the week #32 Mason Sullens would power through the Wolves’ defense for a 3-yard rushing touchdown to tie the score at 7-7 after the extra point was good. The Wolves received the ball and were met with a powerful Indian defensive front. The Wolves were set up to punt the ball away, but instead of punting, they attempted a first-down fake punt play that would be unsuccessful. The Indians got the ball back looking to take the lead, but they turned the ball over as #54 Will Campell intercepted the ball. The Indian defense would stop the Wolves as they went for it on 4th down, but the Wolves would repay the favor on the Indian’s next possession as they too stopped a 4th down attempt for the first down. With two minutes left in the quarter, the Wolves would get a huge play from their offense to put them up 14-7. On 3rd and 10, Brown made a pass to Tremble for a 70-yard touchdown giving the Wolves the lead. The Indians received the ball but were met by an interception by #4 Reed Purcell. Immediately following the interception, Brown was able to find #3 Shepard Jones for a 30-yard receiving touchdown making the score 21-7 with less than a minute in the half. The score would stay at 21-7 as the first half came to a close.

The Wolves would receive the ball to begin the second half looking to go up three scores on the Indians. The Wolves would be unable to put together a quality drive as the Indians forced a 3 and out thanks to a strong defense and a holding flag against the Wolves. The Wolves defense held off the Indian’s offense, getting to #18 Cooper Scott in back-to-back plays for quarterback sacks. The Wolves would have the ball at midfield with less than 4 minutes left in the quarter. In the final minutes of the quarter, the Wolves would get down into Indian territory. The quarter came to a close with Wolves threatening in the red zone

The final quarter of the contest began with the Wolves threatening to go up 3 scores on the Indians as they were well positioned in the red zone. The Wolves began the drive with a play that appeared to be going nowhere, but Brown was able to scramble in the pocket and find Jones in the back of the endzone for a touchdown. After the extra point was good, the score would be 28-7, Wolves on top. The next drive was critical for the Indians as they found themselves down 21 points with 11 minutes left in the game. Quickly into the Indian’s drive, Scott linked up with his number one target Faulkner for a touchdown making the score 28-14 after the extra point was good. The Wolves received the ball and looked to keep the ball on the ground and manage the clock. The offense would maintain possession for 4 minutes, before being forced to punt to the Indians. The Indians had to score on this series to keep them in the game, while the Wolves were looking to close the contest with one more defensive stop.  The Wolves defense would stop the Indian’s offense as they attempted to go for it on 4th down, giving their offense possession with 3 minutes left to play. The Wolves would wind the clock down on their next possession satisfying their first victory after a three-game losing streak. The final score would be the Wolves 28 and the Indians 14. 

The 5-1 Indians continue their road trip next week as they take on the 5-1 Gilmer Bobcats In Ellijay. This will be another regional matchup as the Indians look to get back into the win column.