In Georgia’s Region 7AA, the Pepperell Dragons control their own fate. At 7-1-1 (6-0 Region), the Dragons have rolled up 313 points on offense while their suffocating defense has only allowed 71. Early in the season, Pepperell battled to 0-0 tie against AAAA powerhouse Ridgeland Panthers, a team that humbled the Indians 48-7.
But later in the season, the Dragons struggled somewhat in a 28-14 victory at Model, a team that the Indians won handily 31-7. Pepperell’s lone loss of 2016 has been a heartbreaking 16-20 defeat at the hands of Cedartown. With QB Isaac Foster back in the lineup and several Indians feeling healthier than they have all season, Chattooga will be holding nothing back in the unfriendly confines of Lindale’s Dragon stadium.
Last season, the Indians fought to a grueling 17-23 loss to the Dragons as time expired with Chattooga driving deep into Dragon territory.
With four teams from Region 7AA ranked in the state’s Top 20, this final week’s matchups between Model & Rockmart and the Chattooga game against Pepperell will clear up the playoff picture. A win for Chattooga will guarantee a home game for the opening round of the playoffs. Combined with a Model victory over Rockmart and the Indians come out with their first Region crown in half a century.
Pepperell is not a team to go quietly into the night and the Indians have had an intense week of preparation for Friday night’s grand finale. Coach Hammon knows the producers from Pepperell and has been lining up a game plan to slow down #12, quarterback Trevor Thomas and his favorite target, #9 Wide Receiver Marquedon Watkins.
Chattooga players are looking forward to the rematch with QB Isaac Foster rejoining the lineup after two weeks of rest and rehab following an emergency appendectomy surgery. Brother Isaiah is coming off of a Dade County victory in which he was limited to just six carries. Foster, however, made the most of his six carries with 119 yards. Foster also had one reception for 22 yards and a 25-yard interception. He is the all-time leading rusher and the only Chattooga running back to rush for 1,000 in three seasons. Isaiah passed his brother as all-time leading scorer in school history with 298 points.