Lumpkin County came out on the wrong end of a defensive struggle with Monroe Area on Friday in Dahlonega, losing 10-3.

"I thought our defense played well," Lumpkin County coach Tommy Jones said. "We just had a hard time with field position. We started drives on our one 1-yard line twice, our own 5-yard line and our own 25-yard line."

The score was 0-0 at halftime. Lumpkin County got on the board first late in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Taylor Burns.

Monroe Area (3-0, 0-0 Region 8B-AAA) evened the score on its next possesion to start the fourth quarter. With the game tied at three, Lumpkin turned the ball over near midfield and Monroe drove down and scored to go up 10-3 and earn the win.

"I thought that both defenses played extremely well," Jones said. "I'm extremely proud of the kids and their effort. It was one of those games that could have gone either way. It just didn't go our way tonight."