It was truly a tale of two halves, as Lumpkin County saw a 13-0 halftime lead evaporate in a 19-13 comeback win for Greater Atlanta Christian at the Burial Grounds in Dahlonega. The #10 Indians (3-2) lost star running back Nolan Matthews to an ankle/foot injury in the second, and the offense struggled to move the chains.
The Indians’ defense was spectacular, however, as Lumpkin County sought its first-ever win against the Spartans (GAC now leads the series 11-0 all-time), who won their first game of the season.
Despite being turned away in the red zone a couple of times in the first half, #10 Lumpkin scored when it mattered and leaned on the defense. The Spartans couldn’t generate much early on, and each time they got close, the Indians’ defense came up with a stop. That included a first-half interception by Cal Faulkner in the end zone and a field goal block as time expired in the first half.
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Lumpkin scored on its opening possession on a 16-yd TD by Nolan Matthews. The Indians worked a quick 3-and-out, then marched down and settled for a 22-yd Josue Nieto field goal for the 10-0 lead. That kick was part of a drive that started in the first and ended early in the second.
Faulkner came up with the pick on a fade route to keep the 10-point lead. Again, the Indians drove down into Spartan territory but turned it over on downs at the 10-yard line. They’d get another crack at it and get to the one, but a penalty pushed them back and forced a 23-yd field goal by Nieto for the 13-0 lead. GAC tried a 37-yd field goal as the clock ran out at the half, but the Indians were all over it.
The second half was a different story. The Indians had another turnover on downs, and GAC had the same. However, with 4:27 to go in the third, the Spartans got a 20-yd TD run by Maceo Woodward. After the Indians were turned away on the ensuing drive, GAC went back to work and tied the game on a 7-yd TD on an end-around by Gabe Daniels. The extra point missed, keeping it at 13-all heading into the fourth.
Neither team got much going, but the Spartans got a final shot inside of five minutes to go, and punched in a 6-yd TD by Micah Pryor for the go-ahead 19-13 score with 1:30 left on the clock. After the extra point was blocked, the Indians had a chance to go for the win and got near the red zone before a batted pass ended the game.
GAC takes the early inside track in Region 6-AAA, as Lumpkin falls to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in region.
