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LCMS running back Will Wood looks for space after receiving a handoff. Wood scored two of the Indians’ three touchdowns in a 20-0 win over Fannin County last week.
Both the LCMS eighth grade and seventh grade football teams put in impressive performances and earned the “W” when the Indians traveled to Fannin County to take on the Rebels on Thursday, Sept. 12.
The eighth grade Indians opened up their matchup with the Rebels by putting together a 21-play drive behind big rushes by running backs Will Wood, Jonathan Castillo and Bradly Hicks. The powerful ground attack of the Indians proved to be too much for the Fannin County defense to handle and Lumpkin went ahead 6-0 on a five-yard touchdown run by Castillo.
After the Lumpkin defense handled its business against the Rebels’ offense, Wood turned what could have been a costly turnover into a 38-yard touchdown run when he scooped up a bobbled snap and ran it into the end zone. Wood broke three tackles on his way to the score.
After the touchdown, Wood then ran his way past the Rebels’ defenders on a toss play to convert the two-point attempt, extending Lumpkin’s lead to 14-0.
The Rebels were able to stall the Indians’ third drive of the game, but Lumpkin came storming back on their fourth drive of the game when Wood received a toss from quarterback Harper Davenport. Wood found a seam after receiving the toss and raced his way past the Fannin defenders behind some nice blocking by Preston Cox and Hicks for a 70-yard touchdown run.
After the Indians missed the extra point attempt, they led the Rebels 20-0.
The Indians’ defense proved to be a beast against Fannin County and refused to allow the Rebels to score in the contest.
Lumpkin ran out the clock on their fifth drive of the game behind the rushing of Castillo and Mason Sullens, finishing the game in victory formation at the Fannin five-yard-line.
The 20-0 victory improved the Indians’ 2019 record to 2-1.
LCMS head football coach Darren Glenn was pleased with the way his team performed, especially the work put in by the offensive line.
“The offensive line played well all night against a physical Fannin front,” said Glenn.
Overall, Glenn was proud of the way his players were able to bounce back from their Week 2 loss.
“I’m very proud of how the team played and how we showed a little grit after last week’s loss,” Glenn said.
On the seventh grade side, the Indians were able to secure a 24-6 win over the Rebels behind the legs and arm of LCMS quarterback Cal Faulkner.
Faulkner gave the Indians a ton of momentum when he scrambled for a 41-yard pickup, skirting past eight Fannin defenders to put Lumpkin deep into Rebels’ territory. Faulkner capped the impressive drive with a one-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper to put the Indians ahead 6-0.
Faulkner showed off his strong arm right before halftime when he connected with Trent Mobley for a 31-yard touchdown pass that extended Lumpkin’s lead to 12-0.
The Indians scored two more touchdowns in the second half. Both of Lumpkin’s touchdowns came from AJ Scott. Scott’s first touchdown of the second half came off a jet sweep. Gerald Walker opened up a huge hole for Scott on the play with a powerful block that allowed Scott to get into the end zone from 17 yards out. Scott scored again late in the game, this time from six yards out.
The Indians’ defense allowed just six points versus the Rebels and Lumpkin emerged victorious when the final whistle sounded by a final score of 24-6.
The win allowed the seventh grade team to remain undefeated on the season at 3-0.
“The seventh grade remains undefeated and plays better with each passing game,” Glenn said.
Glenn credited the strong support from his staff and his players’ parents for supporting both the eighth and seventh grade teams.
“We have great parents and a school system that supports these young men every week,” Glenn said. “I am honored to be a coach here. The coaching staff comprised of Brian Matthews, Zack Stroud, Hayden Grizzle, Wes Adams, Noah Denard, Micah Adams and Frank Keller did a great job getting these kids ready on a very short week while battling the heat for practice time. I would like to thank them for their commitment to these kids and this program. There’s not a better group of coaches anywhere. We look forward to being back at home in front of our fans in the challenging weeks ahead.