Lumpkin Falls To Cherokee Bluff In Opener

Battle at the Bluff

 

Flowery Branch, Ga – Two Georgia AAA powerhouses battle at Cherokee Bluff High school where the Bears beat the Lumpkin County Indians 31-20.

The game began as an Offensive showdown where Lumpkin County’s QB Cal Faulkner ran a 52-yard touchdown on their opening drive. Cherokee Bluff answered back with a touchdown of their own when Bears Senior RB Conner Griffin took it in for a 24-yard touchdown. However, the Bears missed the extra point leaving the score 7-6.

Both defenses dug in and slowed down the opposing offenses, Lumpkin being held to a punt and Cherokee Bluff held to a field goal bringing the score to 7-9.

The Bears kicked the ball off to Lumpkin County’s Nolan Matthews and he made them pay by running it 99-yards for a touchdown. Lumpkin County kicked the extra point bringing the score to 14-9.

The Bears took control of the clock for the remainder of the half by with a long drive ending on a QB sneak from Brooks Brien. Cherokee Bluff got the two-point conversion leaving the score 14-17 at the half.

After a two-hour rain and lightning delay, the game resumed with a tough defensive third quarter leaving the score 14-17.

The Bears tried to turn the momentum in their favor with a 43-yard touchdown run by Jackson Pirkle, a good extra point kick brought the score to 24-14.

The Indians immediately answered back with a second kickoff return from Nolan Matthews bring the score to 24-20, however, Lumpkin County failed to get the extra point.

Cherokee Bluff answered right back with a kickoff return of their own when Landon Kemp took it 82 yards to the end zone. With the extra point, the score was 20-31.

Offensive mistakes by the Indians led to two interceptions which sealed the game for the Bears. The final score was 31-20 in favor of Cherokee Bluff.

Next week, the Bears will travel to Winder taking on the Apalachee Wildcats. The Indians will have a bye week to prepare for their home opener against the Hart County Bulldogs.

 

Jason Soles

Sports Reporter

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