Dragons own the night in 2nd-round win
When playing a team that ran for more than 3,000 yards this season, Pepperell knew that pace was going to be key for a win against Dodge County.
But few could have foreseen just how severely the Dragons would control the Nov. 18 game.
Pepperell’s offense hurt the Indians on the ground and in the air all night as the Dragons rolled to a 35-14 win against Dodge in the second round of the Class AA playoffs. Rick Hurst’s squad ran 24 more plays than Dodge County.
It is the first time since 2008 the Dragons have reached the quarterfinals, and it is the ninth straight game Pepperell has held its opponents to 14 points or less.
“I thought we could move the ball, and I didn’t think Dodge had seen an offense as dynamic as what we do,” Hurst said. “We mixed it up well tonight and kept them off balance.”
The Dragons ran for 215 yards, with Tae Hammond accounting for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Trevor Thomas went 10 of 16 for 148 yards passing and two scores, and Connor Chandler recorded five catches for 70 yards.
Dodge running back Nick Cummings cer- tainly left his mark with 254 rushing yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
But the Dragons shut down every other weapon the Indians had, including quarterback Clint Thompson, who tallied only 39 total yards.
The string of performances from Pepperell’s defense is even more impressive when look- ing at the opponents. The Dragons (9-1) stymied another run-heavy attack in Chattooga two weeks ago, and beat up a Spencer team with a talented passing game last week.
There was only one turnover all game; a fumble recovered Pepperell’s Hunter Chastain early in the second half. The senior said great defense mere- ly comes from knowing one’s role.
“It just comes down to reading your keys, and doing what you’re supposed to do,” Chastain said. “If you don’t read your keys, you can get beat quick. But our defense has been great at avoiding that this year.”
The Dragons scored touchdowns on five of their first seven drives, most of those methodical drives that kept Dodge’s offense on the sidelines. Pepperell went 9 of 13 on third downs, with guys like Hammond, Chastain, Thomas and Chandler making plays all night.
Pepperell scored on its opening drive thanks to a 42-yard pass to Chandler on third down, then scored again when Thomas found T.J. Watkins for a 7-yard touchdown on third and goal.
Chastain scored a touchdown to put Pepperell up 19-7 at halftime, and Thomas hit Watkins for a 40-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. But it was the Dragons’ next drive in the second half that broke Dodge’s back.
A 14- play, 52- yard drive took up nearly the entire third quarter and ended with a 1-yard dive from Hammond to go up 32-7.
“When you’re able to throw the ball, especially in high school, it opens up running lanes,” Hurst said. “But we wanted to establish the run tonight, and we did that from the start.”
Cummings broke an 83- yard touchdown run to give the Indians (6-6) another score, one of the few highlights of the fourth quarter. Pepperell was able to get a field goal, but mostly spent its time taking up the clock.
Next, Pepperell travels to Savannah to play Benedictine, ranked first in Class AA. But Hurst and his team don’t care where the game is played. They’re excited to get a shot at the best.
“I told our guys we are going to play them no matter where,” Hurst said. “Whether it is here or there, I mean we’ll play them in the parking lot if we have to. We don’t care, we’re just glad to move on.”