In a meeting of undefeated football teams, Lumpkin County came out on top.
The Clear Creek Bobcats made their way to LCMS last Tuesday. The eighth-grade Indians were able to limit the Cats’ ground game, and a pivotal turnover went in Lumpkin’s favor.
All points were scored in the first half and LCMS won, 16-6.
The seventh-grade Bobcats came away with another decisive victory. The Indians were bullied all over the field, and CCMS forced a running clock en route to a 32-0 win.
Eighth
Possessions were limited as both CCMS and Lumpkin — from shotgun — focused on running the ball. When LCMS opted to throw, it resulted in vital completions to prolong drives.
After the teams traded punts to start the game, the Indians strung together a 13-play possession that crept into the second quarter. When facing fourth down and 1 from the Cats’ 25, Clear Creek’s defense made the stop.
On the Bobcats’ ensuing offensive play, fullback Madden Hopkins had the ball stripped away by an Indian linebacker, who returned for a touchdown. LCMS led 8-0 after the successful conversion.
CCMS found the end zone on its third series. Hopkins got redemption on a third-down dive play where he ran over a defender on an 86-yard touchdown. The conversion failed and Lumpkin led by two.
LCMS ended the half with a 12-play, 54-yard touchdown drive. They converted two third downs with an 11-yard scramble and 21-yard completion. Facing fourth down and 4 from the 8, the Indians’ second completion of the drive resulted in a score.
CCMS trailed 16-6 at halftime following the conversion.
All three of the Bobcats’ second half possessions concluded with punts, and CCMS did not achieve a first down over the final 16 minutes of the game.
Lumpkin punted twice as well in the second half but earned a pair of first downs to keep the clock rolling with its rushing attack. The Indians drained the remaining fourth quarter clock on their final possession.
Seventh
The seventh-grade Cats scored touchdowns on four of five first half drives, and their offense was on the field when LCMS failed to field the opening kickoff.
From the Indians’ 34-yard line, CCMS fullback Cal Morrison carried five straight times. His last rush was for 10 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Slade Smith added the conversion.
The Indians achieved their only first down of the half on their second possession. They punted the ball back to the Cats, who embarked on an 11-play drive that started from their 37. CCMS eventually fumbled on Lumpkin’s 2, and the Indians recovered.
However, LCMS punted back to the Cats after three offensive plays. Starting from Lumpkin’s 27, a 7-yard gain by halfback Noah Rice was followed by a 17-yard Morrison run. Morrison covered the final 3 yards on the next play and added the conversion for a 16-0 advantage.
The long snap bounced to Lumpkin’s punter on the Indians’ fourth drive, and he attempted to run for the first down. He was tackled short and CCMS had its offense back on the field.
The ensuing three-play, 25-yard drive ended with consecutive gains by Rice. Following a 17-yard reception on second down, he hit the edge on a 6-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep, and Morrison added the conversion.
Trailing 24-0, LCMS turned the ball over on downs at its 45. Smith then completed a 31-yard pass to halfback Silas West down to the 4. Morrison crossed the goal line on a 3-yard run on the seventh play of the 48-yard drive.
Following Morrison’s conversion, CCMS led 32-0 at halftime. The final two quarters ticked by quickly with a running clock. Both teams kept the ball on the ground, and the three combined drives all ended on downs.
CCMS seventh graders are 4-0 on the season and the eighth grade is 4-1. They faced rival Pickens at press deadline.