Friday night had the Gilmer Bobcats travel south on Hwy 515 to the home of the Pickens Dragons for the first region game of the 2018 season and also to help a community to heal from a tragedy that came too close to home.

Before the game the Pickens Athletic Department honored Principle Larry Walker of Gilmer Middle School.  Walker passed just days before the game in a tragic accident. As the Pickens Band played, Dragons Coach Chris Parker and his team made their way to the center of the field to greet Bobcats Coach Casey Wingard and his Bobcats to offer support during this saddened time in the Gilmer community.  The Public address announcer brought words to a standing room only stadium to honor Larry Walker.

As the Captains reached the Pickens Logo the Dragons won the toss and chose to receive the football.  This decision put the Bobcats on defense to do their best to contain the high powered attack of an offense will multiple scoring weapons. Pickens used those weapons to move the ball up and down the field scoring quick and often to put up a final score of 55-6 to hand the Bobcats their first region loss.

Offensively the Bobcats were able to put up close to 200 yards combined through the air and on the ground.  A long pass from quarterback David Smith to Austin Daman for a completion of 38 yards set the stage for the only touchdown of the night for Gilmer. Taylor Brogdon was once again the workhorse for the Bobcats.  Pounding up the middle Brogdon had 17 carries for right at 53 yards. The Bobcat defense stayed on their heels all night in facing the speed of the Dragons.  With this being the  first region game of the season the preparation put in at practice has and will continue to work on the adjusting to the different looks they will see as the season continues.

The Bobcats are off on Friday the 28th and will hit the field for their second region game on October 5th at Southeast Whitfield.  Kick off is set for 7:30.