Gordon Lee Clinches Final Playoff Spot With A 16-14 Win Over Armuchee.
Sports, Team FYN Sports October 30, 2021
It was a very emotional Senior night at H.A. Lindsey Stadium in Armuchee Friday night. The Armuchee Indians and the Gordon Lee Trojans squared off in a head to head battle with the winner clinching the final playoff spot in 6A Public. It was a hard fought game with the visiting Trojans holding on for a 16-14 win.
Both teams traded punts on their opening possessions of the game. Gordon Lee went to work on their 2nd possession. A face mask penalty on the 1st play gave the Trojans good field position at the Armuchee 47. In 12 plays they were able to move the ball inside the Indian 10 yard but a 6 yard tackle for loss by Sophomore Jessie Smith forced Gordon Lee to settle for a 29 yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 1:06 left in the 1st Quarter.
Armuchee put together a 13 play 80 yard drive on their opening drive of the 2nd Q. Senior RB Austin Stacy and Junior QB Chandler Desanto accounted for 75 yards of the drive on the ground. Stacy would take the hand off and plow ahead for a 9 yard TD to give the Indians a 7-3 lead with 6:09 remaining in the 1st half.
Gordon Lee answered back quickly with a 71 yard 8 play drive of their own, all on the ground. The Trojans would score on a 27 yd TD run and retook the lead at 10-7 with 2:38 remaining before halftime.
The Indians received the 2nd half kickoff. Starting at their own 20 they used 15 plays, including a 4 and 1 conversion from Sophomore Ryland Steen, to march the ball to the Gordon Lee 27. Gordon Lee came up with 2 big stops on defense on 3rd and 4th down and Armuchee was forced to turn the ball over on downs with 5:39 remaining in the 3rd Q.
The Armuchee defense stepped up and forced Gordon Lee to punt. Armuchee took over at their own 30 with 2:30 to play in the 3rd Q. After several positive run plays the Indians would commit their only turnover of the night coughing the ball up near midfield. Gordon Lee would take advantage of the fumble and go 50 yards in 5 plays, capped off by a 16 yard TD run. The extra point was no good and the Trojan lead was 16-7 with 10:30 min left in the game.
The Indians would put together a 13 play 71 yard drive on their next series that included 2 big 4th down conversions. One was a 4th and 12 from their own 48. QB Chandler Desanto was being chased out of the pocket and heaved the throw downfield. Senior Kameron Parker leaped up between two defenders and brought the catch down at the Gordon Lee 15 yard line. Desanto would eventually take the QB keeper in from the 1 yard line to cut the lead to 16-14 with 3:24 to play.
The home fans felt like there may be some magic in the air this night as the Indians lined up for the onside kick. The kick bounced around but the Trojans were able to bounce on the loose ball at their 35 yard line. The Indians used their timeouts and all Gordon Lee needed was one first down to end the game. On a 3 and 8 the Gordon Lee RB looked like he was caught behind the line of scrimmage but he reversed direction and broke free for a 38 yard gain. They were able to run out the clock and secure the 16-14 win and a spot in the GHSA State Playoffs.
After the game Coach Green met with the Indians in the endzone and announced that he would miss the rest of the season as he begins radiation treatment for throat cancer on Monday. In a classy move the Gordon Lee Trojans wore green socks and the cheer team sported green bows in support of Coach Green’s battle.
Notes:
Total Yards
Armuchee 234
Gordon Lee 209
Indian Leaders:
Rushing : Stacy (118), Desanto (51)
Passing: Desanto (65)
Rec: Parker (47), Drinic (11)
Armuchee Falls To Trion 48-7 In Key Region 6A Matchup
Sports, Team FYN Sports October 22, 2021
Mother Nature was the only thing that could stop Trion’s Rob Brown Thursday night. In a game suspended after 2 quarters due to lighting, the senior RB racked up 350 total yards with 6 TDs and added an interception in a 48-7 win over the Armuchee Indians. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Bulldogs in Region 6A Public.
The Bulldogs got on the board early. Trion’s Bryce Cordell intercepted an Indian pass near midfield on the 2nd play of the game. Rob Brown would score his 1st touchdown 3 plays later on a 39 yard run. The extra point was missed and Trion would lead 6-0 with 9:51 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Indians answered with a 5 play 69 yard scoring drive. The big play was a 57 yard reception by Senior WR Malik Drinic. He would catch the ball in the flat and race down the right sideline before being pushed out at the 12 yard line. 4 plays later Sophomore Ryland Steen would score from 1 yard out. Sophomore kicker Grayson Perry’s extra point was good and the Indians led 7-6 midway through the 1st quarter.
A good kickoff by Perry pinned the Bulldogs on their own 12 to start their 2nd drive. Trion put together a 6 play 78 yard drive with Brown and Junior Logan Eller splitting the carries. Brown would score from 37 yards out to give the Bulldogs a 13-7 lead with 4:59 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Armuchee was forced to punt on their next possession going 3 and out. Desanto hit a beautiful 50 yard punt, backing Trion up to their 22 yard line. Two plays later Brown would score on his 3rd long run of the quarter. This one a 72 yarder to give the Bulldogs a 20-7 lead with 1:59 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Two plays later Trion’s Lucas Stoker picked off a Desanto pass and ran untouched 20 yards to the endzone to put the Bulldogs up 27-7 with 1:42 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Armuchee opened the 2nd quarter with their best defensive series of the game. Sophomore Ryland Steen and Senior JR Early came up with big stops to force the Bulldogs to punt.
After the punt, the Indians began the series deep in their own territory at their own 14. Armuchee was able to put together a 7 play drive that included a big 1st down run by Ryland Steen on a 4th and 1 from their own 23. Rob Brown ended the drive with a leaping interception at midfield giving the Bulldogs good field position midway through the 2nd quarter.
Trion freshman QB Kade Smith would hit Brown on a screen pass for a 32 yard TD. The extra point was good and the Bulldogs led 34-7 with 4:40 remaining in the half.
Armuchee would start with good field position after the kickoff at their own 42. Two plays later they tried to throw one deep and Trion came up with their 4th interception of the half. Riley Blackwell returned the ball out to the 12 and Bulldogs would take over deep in their own territory.
Two plays later Brown would line up at QB in the Wild Bulldog formation and break several tackles on his way to the endzone to put Trion up 41-7 with 3:32 remaining in the half.
The Indians put together a 7 play drive on their next possession with Senior Austin Stacy carrying the ball 3 times for 23 yards. Desanto would leave the game shaken up after being sacked on a 3rd and 5 . Armuchee turned the ball over on downs at the Trion 40 with just 1:17 left to play in the half.
Kade Smith would once again find Brown on the screen pass for a 32 yard TD to end the scoring. The extra point was good and Trion would close out the quarter up 48-7.
After a lengthy lightning and rain delay at halftime the game was called. Trion improves to 2-1 in Region play and will face Mount Zion next week in a game that may decide home field in the playoffs. Armuchee falls to 1-2 in Region play and will host Gordon Lee next Friday in what will be a playoff elimination game.
Box Score:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Trion 27 21 x x 48
Armuchee 7 0 x x 7
Total Yards:
Trion 446
Armuchee 109
Armuchee Leaders:
Rushing: Austin Stacy (46), Jessie Smith (31)
Passing: Chandler Desantos (63)
Receiving: Malik Drinic (57), JJ House (6) 
Armuchee Improves to 5-1 With a 35-14 Win Over BEST Academy.
Sports, Team FYN Sports October 9, 2021
The Armuchee Indians weren’t intimidated by the Big City Lights. In a rare 5:30pm start, they traveled to Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta 
to face the BEST Eagles in an important 6A Public matchup. The home team scored on their 1st and last possession, while everything in the middle was all Indians. The defense created 4 turnovers and held the Eagles to 160 total yards, with 86 of those yards coming on the final drive, in a 35-14 win.
On the second play of the game BEST picked off a pass from Junior QB Chandler Desanto and had great field position at the Indian’s 31.
After a negative play and a false start the Eagles faced a long 3rd and 19 at the Indian 40. A late hit on the QB would give BEST a fresh set of downs at the 17. Six plays later they would go in from 10 yards out. A successful 2 point conversion gave the home team a 8-0 lead with 5:43 left in the 1st Quarter.
The Indians put together a 7 play drive moving the ball into BEST territory but were forced to punt near midfield. The punt was muffed by the BEST receiver and was recovered by the Indians in the Endzone, but by rule it was deemed a touchback and the Eagles took over at their own 20 with 1:45 left in the 1st quarter.
Three plays later Senior Riley Ross had his first of two interceptions on the night setting the Indians up with good field position at the BEST 24 as the 1st Quarter came to an end.
Armuchee was able to get the ball down to the Eagle 7 yd line, aided by a roughing the passer penalty. On a “Wild Indian” play, Senior Alex Wright attempted a pass into the endzone on 3rd and 5 but the pass was intercepted and returned to the 31 yard line with 10:30 left in the 1st half.
BEST broke open a 69 yard TD on the 1st play, called back by a holding penalty in the backfield. After a delay of game and a too many men on the field penalty, the Eagles were forced to punt from their own 14. After a 30 yard punt the Indians would start with good field position with 9:42 left in the half.
Eight plays later Alex Wright would bull his way across the goal line on a 4th and goal from the 1. After a missed extra point the lead was cut to 8-6 with 4:32 remaining in the half.
After a touchback kickoff from Sophomore Grayson Perry the Eagles started on their 20. Two plays later Junior Jessie Smith would strip the BEST QB and Freshman Jakson Hightower would pick the ball out of the air setting up the Indians at the Eagle 21.
Two plays in, Chandler Desanto found Senior Will Daniel on a 26 yard scoring strike. The 2 point try was unsuccessful and the Indians went to halftime up 12-8.
BEST put together an interesting drive to open the 2nd half. Starting at their own 20 after another touchback, they had a 9 play drive that resulted in 3 first downs and a net of -8 yards. The big play was a 15 yard tackle for loss by Sophomore Ryland Steen on a 3rd and 28. The Eagles would punt from their own 12 with 7:34 left in the 3rd quarter.
After a 28 yard punt the Indians once again took over in Eagle territory. A 14 yard pass to Senior JJ House, who had 103 yards receiving on the night, and a couple of unsportsmanlike penalties on BEST would give Armuchee the ball inside the 10. QB Chandler Desanto would score on a 2 yard keeper making the score 19-6 with 4:50 left in the 3rd.
. After an onside kick recovered by Sophomore Jackson Coonley, Armuchee went to work near midfield. A 6 play 49 yard drive would end in a Ryland Steen 1 yard TD run putting the Indians up 26-6 with 2:04 left in the 3rd.
BEST had a big return on the ensuing kickoff called back due to a hold and after tacking on a false start they started at their own 9 . The Eagle QB dropped back in the pocket on the first play and was stripped by Jakson Hightower. Senior Austin Stacy jumped on the loose ball in the endzone giving the Indians a 32-8 lead after 3 quarters of play.
Riley Ross would get his 2nd pick of the night early in the 4th quarter and Armuchee would give their young guys a chance to get some reps with Sophomore Easton Jackson and Freshman Luke Lively getting some carries.
The Eagles would score on a 46 yard TD run midway through the final quarter and Armuchee added a Grayson Perry field goal for the final 35-14 margin.
The Indians are off this Friday and will be back in action Oct 22 when they host Region rivals the Trion Bulldogs.
Notes: (Unofficial numbers)
Total Yards: Armuchee 218; BEST 160
Passing: Desanto 164
Rushing: Desanto 22; Wright 21
Receiving: House 103; Daniel 54
Tackles:
Early (7), Ross (7), Smith (6), Steen (6)
Armuchee Falls To Mount Zion 28-14 In 6A Opener
Sports, Team FYN Sports October 2, 2021
The fans at H.A. Lindsey were treated to a knock down drag out Friday night. A fitting end to a great week of Homecoming festivities in the Armuchee community. Mount Zion defeated the home standing Indians 28-14 in the 6A opener.
Armuchee wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. On the second play of the opening series, Junior QB Chandler Desanto found Senior WR JJ House deep down the right side for a 59 yard TD. After a Grayson Perry XP the Indians jumped out to a 7-0 lead just 54 seconds into the game.
Mount Zion answered on their 1st possession. They put together an 8 play 69 yard drive culminated by a 3 yard TD run to tie the game at 7-7 with 7:13 left in the 1st Quarter.
The Indians and Eagles both exchanged 3 and out punts on their next possessions On their 3rd possession .Armuchee took over on their own 26 and put together a 13 play drive that used up 7:00 min on the clock. Mount Zion defense came up with a big stop on 4th and 2, taking over at their own 32 with 8:24 left in the 1st half.
The Eagles would once again go 3 and out aided by a Jessie Smith sack on 3rd and 6.
Armuchee took over at their own 36 after the 30 yard punt. A holding call on 1st down backed the Indians up and after several short gains by Senior RB Alex Wright they were forced to punt. Mount Zion Junior Malachi Ackles returned the kick for a 65 yard TD, his 13th TD on the season, giving the Eagles a 14-7 lead with 3:37 left in the half.
Sophomore Jacob Seagraves had a good return and the Indians were able to quickly move the ball into scoring territory. The final drive of the 1st half was not without drama. The Indians starting QB Desantos was sidelined after a horse collar tackle and backup Kameron Parker came out two plays later after taking a hit to the head. The drive eventually ended in a blocked FG with 28 seconds left in the half. Mount Zion would go into the locker room up 14-7.
The home fans were treated to the Homecoming festivities at the half. Senior RB Alex Wright was named Homecoming King and Miss Keri Burkett the Homecoming Queen.
Mount Zion opened the 2nd half with a 6 play 80 yard drive scoring their 3rd TD on the night on a 22 yard run to go up 21-7 with 9:15 left in the 3rd Quarter.
Jessie Smith had a nice return on the ensuing kickoff giving the Indians good field position at their own 41. The drive ended on an Interception on a 4th a 6 play that gave the Eagles the ball at their own 1 yard line.
Mount Zion used 8 plays to drive the ball to the Armuchee 43 yard line. On a 4th and 6 the Eagles attempted a fake punt with Ackles taking the snap and running down the right sideline. The Indians stopped him 3 yards short and would take over to end the 3rd Quarter down 21-7.
The Indians put together a 14 play 60 yard scoring drive to start the 4th, all on the legs of Desanto and Wright. The Senior QB carried the ball 6 times for 34 yards on the drive and Wright had 8 carries for 26 yards including a 5 yard TD run to cut the lead to 21-14 with 7:20 to play.
Mount Zion would answer with a long drive of their own, running precious time off the clock. A 12 play 79 yard drive that took 6:30 off the clock. A 27 yard touchdown run on a 3rd and 6 put the game away 28-14 with just 1:17 left.
Desantos was able to connect on three straight short passes on the Indians final possession before big #67 Dylan Buchanan intercepted a pass ending the game.
Notes:
Total Yards: Armuchee 233 Mt. Zion 259
Rushing: Desanto 73; Wright 43
Passing: Desanto 127
Receiving: House 83; Drinic 17
Unofficial Solo Tackles: JR Early (7); Smith (5), Drinic (5)
Armuchee Moves To 4-0 For First Time in 12 Years With 45-7 Win Over Weaver
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports September 25, 2021
H.A. Lindsey Stadium hosted Youth Football Night pregame on Friday, & the young Indians were in for a show. The Indians converted 5 turnovers into 4 scores and Junior QB Chandler Desanto had a breakout game scoring 4 TDs in a 45-7 win over the Bearcats from Weaver, Alabama.
Armuchee started the scoring early. The Bearcats were forced to punt on their first possession the Indians took over near midfield. After several short yard gains by Senior Alex Wright, Desanto kept the ball for a 35 yard run down to the 5 yard. Two plays later Sophomore Ryland Steen would give the Indians their first TD on the night with a 4 yard run up the middle. Sophomore K Grayson Perry added his 1st of 6 XPs on the night to put the Indians up 7-0 with 4:32 left in 1st Q.
After a touchback Weavers next possession began at their own 20. On the second play of the drive the Bearcats tried to throw deep across the middle. Armuchee Sophomore Jacob Seagraves made a leaping interception to set the Indians up with good field position at the Weaver 29.
On a 3rd and 13, Desanto found Senior Malik Drinic in the back of the end zone on a 32 yard scoring strike to put the Indians up 14-0 with 1:50 left in the 1st Q.
Weaver put together an eight play 83 yard drive to begin the 2nd Q culminated by a 40 yard TD pass to cut the lead to 14-7 9:56 to go in the 2nd Q.
The Indians responded quick. After the attempted onside kick by Weaver, recovered by Senior Riley Ross, Armucee took over on their own 46 yard line. Wright took the handoff on the 1st play of the drive 54 yards up the left sideline to put the Indians ahead 21-7 with 9:36 left in the 1st half.
After several change of possessions with a Weaver punt, Indian fumble, and a Weaver punt Armuchee took over at their own 18 with 1:30 left in the half. On the third play of the drive Desanto scored on a 69 yard keeper to give the Indians a 28-7 lead at the end of the 1st half.
Weaver came out ready to play in the 2nd half catching the Indians with an onside kick to open the 3rd Quarter. After a 7 play drive that took the ball to the Indian 30, Sophomore Ryland Steen came up with a drive stopping interception and after a 20 yard return the Indians took over at midfield.
The Indians were able to get the ball down to the Bearcat 7 yd line after a 45 yd completion from Desanto to Senior JJ House but the drive stalled and the Indians settled for a 35 yard FG from Perry to go up 31-7 with 6:57 left in the 3rd Q.
Two Weaver possessions later Senior Riley Ross would come up with the Indians 3rd interception of the night. Ross returned the ball to the Bearcat 9 yard line leading to a Desanto 8 yard TD run putting the Indians up 38-7 to end the 3rd Q.
The Bearcats fumbled on the first snap of their next possession, recovered by Steen at the Weaver 32 yard line. 5 plays later Desanto would find JJ House on 21 yard TD throw to cap the scoring at 45-7. Sophomore Jackson Coonley would add the Indians 4th interception of the night late in the 4th.
The Indians will open Region play next week when they host the Mount Zion Eagles.
Notes:
Armuchee put up 348 yards offense
Chandler Desanto (QB) had 264 total yards and 4 TDs.
Unofficial Solo tackle leaders: Junior Jessie Smith (7), Steen (4) with INT and FR, Senior JR Early (4) with a sack and QBP, Senor Will Daniel (4)