Lumpkin County survives 4 OTs to tie best start in school history

Cheerleaders raise their pom poms during a GHSA high school football game between Stephenson High School and Miller Grove High School at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston, GA., on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Credit: Jenn Finch

Credit: Jenn Finch

Cheerleaders raise their pom poms during a GHSA high school football game between Stephenson High School and Miller Grove High School at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston, GA., on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (Photo/Jenn Finch)

Lumpkin County ended regulation with White County tied at 35. Four overtimes later, the Indians moved to 8-0 for the second time in school history (1967) after a 61-55 victory.

Quarterback Cal Faulkner and running back Mason Sullens literally won the game for the Indians. Faulkner, who often plays both ways for Lumpkin, had 19 carries for 139 yards and five touchdowns and a game-saving interception in overtime. Sullens, who has 2,645 yards and 43 touchdowns this season, had 38 carries for 268 yards and four touchdowns.

Tied at 55 in the third overtime and with White County driving, a stop from Mike Nichols proved decisive for the Indians. In the ensuing overtime period, a short touchdown run from Sullens secured the victory. Lumpkin County’s victory moved the Indians to 8-0.

Coincidentally, it was White County that beat the Indians 25-14 in the ninth game that 1967 season.

In other key games:

-- Cedar Grove (2-2) stayed at No. 3 after beating Sandy Creek 31-7 in a Region 5 game that was a rematch of last year’s championship game. Sandy Creek fell to No. 8 this week. In the other Region 5 game, Douglass defeated Carver-Atlanta 17-7 to move to 1-1 in the league.

-- Thomasville re-entered the top 10 at No. 10 after beating Dougherty 41-12. The Bulldogs are 3-1 in Region 1 play, trailing Carver-Columbus (4-0) after the Tigers beat Monroe 28-10.

-- No. 2 Stephens County had little trouble moving past Hart County 35-0 to stay atop the Region 8 standings at 3-0. Hart and Oconee are tied at 2-1, ahead of Hebron Christian and Monroe Area (1-2). Monroe fell to unranked after losing 14-7 to Oconee County.

-- The ranked teams from Savannah rolled in Region 3 play. Top-ranked Calvary Day beat Savannah Country Day 49-0. Jake Merklinger was 13-of-14 passing for 289 yards and two touchdowns, and four players each rushed for one touchdown. No. 5 Savannah Christian (4-1) defeated Beach (1-4) 55-6.

Class 3A Top-10 results

1. (1) Calvary Day (8-0) beat Savannah Country Day 49-0.

2. (2) Stephens County (8-0) beat Hart County 35-0.

3. (3) Cedar Grove (4-5) beat Sandy Creek 31-7.

4. (4) Mary Persons (7-1) did not play.

5. (5) Savannah Christian (6-2) beat Beach 55-6

6. (6) Lumpkin County (8-0) beat White County 61-55 in four overtimes.

7. (8) Morgan County (7-1) did not play.

8. (7) Sandy Creek (6-3) lost to Cedar Grove 31-7.

9. (9) Carver-Columbus (6-3) beat Monroe 28-17.

10. (NR) Thomasville (5-4) beat Dougherty 41-12.