Our Week Ten Game of the Week takes us to Dahlonega for the second time this season in a game that means a LOT regarding a potential region title.

LUMPKIN COUNTY

The Indians have had a solid season, going 5-2 to this point and 3-1 in region play. They’d love to have the opener back against Cherokee Bluff, but moreso that one that got away in a 4th quarter loss to GAC. But since that game, Lumpkin has gone 3-0 while outscoring opponents 142-62. That’s more like it! Cal Faulkner is doing Cal Faulkner things, and Nolan Matthews, who was injured in the GAC game and out the following game against Chestatee, has since returned and gotten closer to full health. They’ll need him for this stretch run, as well as the defense to continue to hold opposition to under 21 per game.

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NORTH HALL

The Trojans are a bit of a surprise team this year. North Hall is 5-2 as well, but 4-0 in region play including a win over GAC that has the Trojans atop 6-AAA at the moment. After starting out 0-2, these guys have won 5 in a row. Only twice this season have the Trojans failed to hold opponents to under 23 points. Many of their games have been close, with one loss by 3 points, and 3 of their wins coming by 2 scores or less. No longer a triple option team, North Hall features a dual QB setup (see stats below), and has a solid group of receivers to boot.

BY THE NUMBERS (2024)

LUMPKIN COUNTY

• 5-2 (3-1 in 6-AAA)
• Region Standings: T-2nd
• 36.0 OFFENSE AVG (6th in Class 3A)
• 24.6 DEFENSE AVG
• N/A State Ranking

NORTH HALL

• 5-2 (4-0 in Region 6-AAA)
• Region Standings: 1st
• 28.9 OFFENSE AVG
• 23.3 DEFENSE AVG
• N/A State Ranking

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Be looking for highlights post-game later tonight as well as a story recapping Week Ten. BLITZ partners with Fox 5’s 11 PM “High 5 Sports” show throughout the season. We make sure to get Lumpkin coverage on the big market show! (schedule is different this week). You can also follow us on Twitter (@BlitzSportsGa) for live score updates (5G pending).

OUR PREDICTION

We typically make a case for both, with our official pick linked below. Let’s begin with the Indians. Again, 3-0 since that disappointing finish against GAC. Nolan Matthews not playing in that second half changed that game, no doubt. He’s back, so expect the offense that averages 36 points per game to be just as potent as ever. Lumpkin needs to convert in the red zone to win this game. Sounds basic, but they’ll have to either convert on the 4th & short in enemy territory, or take the points with field goals. Or even better…score TDs. They win this game if they stay disciplined and win the time of possession. For the Trojans, the key will be getting ahead early. If North Hall can get some quick punches early and force Lumpkin to play from behind, that might decide this one. Also, North Hall is exceptional at causing chaos. They have 15 sacks, a mind-blowing 12 forced fumbles, and 7 interceptions. If they force a few turnovers in this one, it’s over. OUR PICK: SEE HERE

DO WE BRING LUCK?

We’ve seen 23 Lumpkin County games since 2009, and the Indians are 8-15 in such games, though they’ve won 3 of the last 5. However, Lumpkin has lost the last 2 we’ve been to.

DETAILS OF THE MATCHUP

TIME: 7:30 PM Kickoff
PLACE: Lumpkin County HS / Dahlonega, GA / The Burial Grounds, Cottrell Field
LAST MEETING: 2021: North Hall 37, Lumpkin County 7
ALL-TIME RECORD: North Hall leads 23-7 in the all-time series
RECORDS: Lumpkin County Indians (5-2; 3-1 in 6-AAA); North Hall Trojans (5-2; 4-0 in 6-AAA)
HEAD COACHES: Heath Webb (86-73; 15 Seasons); Sean Pender (143-105-1; 23 Seasons)

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

These teams have a history that spans back 30 games and all the way back to 1962. That’s rich. North Hall has made this mostly a one-sided battle, winning 23 of 30 matchups. Lumpkin did win the first-ever game, 32-0 back in that ’62 season. But the Trojans have had 4 3-game win streaks or better in the series, and have won all 7 meetings since 2011, and 14 of the last 15 dating back to 1983. The lone win between each of the 7-game win streaks for the Indians came in 2010, a 34-26 contest at The Brickyard. Despite both coaches combining for 38 seasons of head coaching experience, they’ve never squared off prior to tonight.

TEAM LEADERS (2024 Stats)

*Stats accumulated by team-published data on Ga MaxPreps

LUMPKIN COUNTY

PASSING
Cal Faulkner – 950 yds, 8 TD, 2 INT, 70% completion

RUSHING
Nolan Matthews – 639 yds, 8 TD
Cal Faulkner – 558 yds, 10 TD
Caleb Wendl – 91 yds, 1 TD

RECEIVING
AJ Scott – 315 yds, 2 TD, 27 rec
Trent Mobley – 173 yds, 2 TD, 18 rec
Mason Hester – 120 yds, 1 TD, 6 rec
Colton Lee – 70 yds, 1 TD, 8 rec
Nolan Matthews – 60 rec yds, 1 TD, 5 rec
Walker Scott – 46 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (incomplete stats available)
Jackson Bell – 53 TKL, 3 TFL
Mike Nichols – 48 TKL, 3 TFL, 1 Sack
AJ Scott – 37 TKL, 1 TFL, 2 FR, 2 FF
Trent Mobley – 36 TKL, 1 TFL, 3 INT
Wolf Harbin – 35 TKL, 0.5 Sack, 1 FR
Connor Greilich – 34 TKL, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 FF, 2 BLK

NORTH HALL

PASSING
Alex Schlieman – 633 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT, 69% completion
Smith McGarvey – 542 yds, 7 TD, 3 INT, 56% completion

RUSHING
Parker Carlton – 506 yds, 5 TD
Luke Jenkins – 408 yds, 2 TD
Smith McGarvey – 263 yds, 6 TD
Alex Schlieman – 55 yds, 1 TD
Cole Cable – 32 yds, 1 TD

RECEIVING
Cole Cable – 427 yds, 7 TD, 31 rec
Ty Kemp – 394 yds, 4 TD, 31 rec
Luke Jenkins – 230 yds, 0 TD, 25 rec
Parker Carlton – 45 yds, 3 TD, 7 rec

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Parker Carlton – 65 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 5 Sacks, 2 FR, 3 FF, 1 BLK
Walker Davis – 61 TKL, 1.5 TFL, 2 INT
Charlie Dyer – 50 TKL, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 1 FR
Buddy Clark – 42 TKL, 2.5 Sacks
Jake Clark – 36 TKL, 1 TFL, 1 INT
Dalton Hulsey – 32 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 Sack, 1 FR, 2 FF
Charlie House – 24 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 2 FR, 1 FF