Our Week Five Game of the Week takes us to Dahlonega for a game that has HUGE region title implications as Lumpkin hosts GAC!
Lumpkin County
The Indians are 2-1. There’s that. But let’s take a deeper dive. The opener was wild – a rainy, lightning-delayed road game at Cherokee Bluff. The 31-20 loss was perplexing…until it wasn’t. The Bears have turned out to be the real deal, ranked #6 in the state, and undefeated at 4-0. The Indians have rebounded nicely, taking a win over #10 Hart County and then a shootout win against Dunwoody, both at home. This marks the third straight in a string of 4 home games. This is the region opener in 6-AAA for Lumpkin. Cal Faulkner has been fantastic the last couple of games, and Nolan Matthews is dangerous in the return game and in the backfield. The O-line last week seems to have found a groove. If there’s one knock, it’s that this team has allowed 91 points (over 30 per game). That’s not sustainable, though the numbers will improve over the next several weeks (or should). No doubt, this team is going to be working on what they need to and keeping within their game plan each week.
Greater Atlanta Christian
The Spartans aren’t quite what people have grown accustomed to. The powerhouse program hasn’t been so powerful lately. The past three seasons have been one-and-done playoff runs, a far departure from state final runs or semi/quarter trips they were accustomed to. The same coach is over the program, though (Tim Hardy), so the DNA is there. At 0-3 and not being even close in any of their games, the Spartans appear to be slipping. This is only the second time under coach Hardy to start 0-3. The offense is anemic at 12.3 points per game, and the defense is porous at 32.0 allowed. QB Adrian Hughes has been wildly inconsistent, and the run game is nonexistent.
By The Numbers (2024)
Lumpkin County
2-1 (0-0 in 6-AAA)
Region Standings: N/A
32.3 OFFENSE AVG
30.3 DEFENSE AVG
#10 State Ranking
Greater Atlanta Christian
0-3 (0-0 in Region 6-AAA)
Region Standings: N/A
12.3 OFFENSE AVG
32.0 DEFENSE AVG
N/A State Ranking
Prediction
Let’s begin with the Indians. Point blank, the defense has to be better. The offense generates 30-plus points per game, but the defense has to be more disciplined in this one. Another thing to keep at the forefront is the perception. Lumpkin County would do well to pretend not even to notice the opponents’ name on the front of the jersey. Sometimes, that can be a factor, but if Lumpkin stays within itself, they will win this game.
The Spartans meanwhile…sheesh. It’s been bad, giving up 96 points while scoring only 37. But unlike Lumpkin, this team needs only to look on the name on the front of their jersey to remember who they are. They have a clean slate mentality in this one as it opens region play. If they play clean ball and the defense bends but doesn’t break, they can win.
Details Of The Matchup
TIME: 7:30 PM Kickoff
PLACE: Lumpkin County HS / Dahlonega, GA / Lynn Cottrell Field
LAST MEETING: 2019 (#4 GAC 49, Lumpkin County 6)
ALL-TIME RECORD: GAC leads 10-0 in the all-time series
RECORDS: #10 Lumpkin County Indians (2-1; 0-0 in 6-AAA); Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans (0-3; 0-0 in 6-AAA)
HEAD COACHES: Heath Webb (83-72; 15 Seasons); Tim Hardy (131-52; 16 Seasons)
Historically Speaking
These teams have played more than people might think…10 times in history. Every single game has gone to the Spartans, dating back to 2000, the first meeting. Only one time has Lumpkin scored 20 or more points, and GAC has pitched a shutout four times. The teams squared off each year from 2000-2005, then again from 2016-2019. In 9 of the 10 meetings, the Spartans were state-ranked. This 11th meeting will mark only the second time they aren’t ranked.
Team Leaders (2024 Stats)
*Stats accumulated by team-published data on Ga MaxPreps from last season; returning players only
LUMPKIN COUNTY
PASSING
Cal Faulkner – 332 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, 63% completion
RUSHING
Nolan Matthews – 380 yds, 5 TD, 6.4 YPC
Cal Faulkner – 265 yds, 4 TD, 7.0 YPC
RECEIVING
AJ Scott – 159 yds, 1 TD, 14 rec
Trent Mobley – 78 yds, 1 TD, 11 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Jackson Bell – 31 TKL, 2 TFL
Trent Mobley – 20 TKL, 1 TFL, 3 INT
Mike Nichols – 19 TKL, 2 TFL
AJ Scott – 16 TKL, 1 FR, 1 FF
Connor Greilich – 14 TKL
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
PASSING
Adrian Hughes – 514 yds, 5 TD, 3 INT, 52% completion
Tommy Young – 97 yds, 0 TD, 3 INT, 44% completion
RUSHING
Adrian Hughes – 124 yds, 1 TD, 5.6 YPC
Maceo Woodward – 31 yds, 0 TD, 1.4 YPC
RECEIVING
Gabe Daniels – 204 yds, 2 TD, 15 rec
Jack Griggs – 203 yds, 2 TD, 10 rec
Stephen Phillips – 55 yds, 1 TD, 5 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
CJ Ohuabunwa – 20 TKL
Stephen Phillips – 19 TKL
Will Polhill – 17 TKL
Pierce Wilson – 16 TKL
Joshua Hills – 15 TKL, 4 TFL, 1.5 Sacks
Micah Pryor – 15 TKL, 4 TFL, 1.5 Sacks
