From the first time he stepped on the high school field, Lumpkin County’s Ian McIntosh has had the ability to make big plays.

Last Friday, with his team coming off of its first loss of the season and playing against a Johnson team better than their record would indicate, the 5-10, 185-pound senior set the tone from the first play of the game, sprinting 64 yards for a touchdown.

In his final year, those plays have come more often and McIntosh has been more consistent in helping to lead the Indians to a 3-1 start to the season.

"Ian has the ability to create big plays," said Lumpkin County coach Tommy Jones. "His big plays always give us a boost."

McIntosh led the Indians to a 30-21 win over the Knights on Friday at The Burial Grounds, displaying his big-play abilities throughout the game as he piled up 171 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 11 carries, and also caught a team-high six passes for 44 yards and another score.

For his efforts he has been named The Times Player of the Week.

But the story this year for the senior from Lumpkin County has been one of a consistent performer. He has compiled 541 yards rushing and five touchdowns on just 37 carries this year, good for a 14 yards-per-carry average. McIntosh also leads the team in receiving with 10 catches for 132 yards and two scores.

"We have known for a long time that he has the ability to make big play," Jones said. "Now he makes those plays on a more consistent basis."

And this season he hasn’t just made the big plays, but he has done so just when his team needed it.

"Our kids continually answered Johnson every time they scored," Jones said.

And while McIntosh’s early run set the tone, it was his catch just before half that put the home team ahead after two quarters. A running back who also plays receiver and cornerback, McIntosh ran a fade route in to the end zone and was able to get a hand on the ball and tip it up to himself before grabbing it for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

It was great play, but not really a surprise for anyone who has watched McIntosh over the years. Jones remembers him busting a 75-yard run for a touchdown as a freshman in a close win over West Hall.

Three years later McIntosh has added leadership to his dynamic on-field abilities.

"During the offseason we challenged Ian to be a leader," Jones said. "He’s starting to grow in to that role."

McIntosh has always had the ability. This year he’s putting together the complete package, and the team from Dahlonega is looking more and more like a postseason contender heading in to the Region 8-AAA North schedule.

Lumpkin County starts subregion play at White County (1-3) on Friday.