As game time approached, it appeared that rain might put a damper on the annual Jefferson-Commerce game Friday night.
But as kickoff grew nearer, the rain stopped, the clouds parted and fans were treated to another strong match up, as the Dragons won their third game in a row over the Commerce Tigers, 30-13.
Up next for Jefferson is another home stand, this time against the Tigers of Dawson County for their region opener.
JHS quarterback Darius Minor (12) hands off to Lucas Redd during Friday night’s game against Commerce. Redd had 11 carries for 73 yards, while Minor had 10 carries for 51 yards. Photo by Justin Poole
Dragons defeat Commerce 30-16
Dawson comes to town on the heels of a 13-0 loss to Lumpkin County in their opener.
Last season, the Dragons handily defeated the Tigers 19-0, as Dawson County went on to record a 3-7 overall record, and 2-7 in the region.
Kickoff Friday night is slated for 7:30 p.m.
River War
The Tigers had control of the ball first, and would draw first blood by scoring on a five play, 94-yard total possession.
Jefferson tried to even the score with just under a minute left in the first quarter, as the Dragons were able to break through the Commerce defense and into the end zone. But a flag called the touchdown back, and Jefferson trailed 7-0 going into the second quarter.
The Dragons finally got their first points of the night on the board in the second quarter, as quarterback Darius Minor got off a 55-yard pass play to senior Sky Porter for a touchdown. A bobble on the snap led to a miss on the extra point, and Commerce continued to lead 7-6.
Jefferson wasn’t done yet. The Dragons would get possession of the ball again, and pushed their way to within 20 yards of scoring. The Tigers’ line held tight, denying Jefferson entry into the end zone.
Jefferson kicker Asher Orr put a 32-yard field goal through the uprights, giving Jefferson a 9-7 lead.
As the Dragons defense continued to deny Commerce, the offense again moved Jefferson into scoring position, and with a 15-yard pass play from Minor to Hoytez Damons, Jefferson increased their lead to 16-7 at the half.
JHS Takes Charge
Jefferson continued to control the game in the second half. After a five-minute possession, the Dragons scored again on a four yard run by senior Caleb Meek to make it 23-7.
The rest of the third quarter was spent by both teams trying to make ground on the other, but neither could break through the opposing defenses to find the end zone.
Commerce tried to mount a comeback early in the fourth quarter. After starting on the Jefferson 18-yard line, the Tigers would drive to within inches of the goal line. A loss on a quarterback sack and an imcomplete pass had Commerce staring at fourth down, but Commerce broke into the end zone to score on a three yard run. Commerce was stopped on a two-point conversion, and trailed the Dragons 23-13.
A short return kick gave the Dragons a start from the 47-yard line. With just over five and a half minutes left on the clock, Jefferson began to drive. A quarterback sneak by Minor allowed him to pull out a 51-yard run to score, pushing the Dragons ahead 30-13.
The Tigers would get no closer, and Jefferson went on to record their third win over Commerce in as many years.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
Last season, the Dragons handily defeated the Tigers 19-0, as Dawson County went on to record a 3-7 overall record, and 2-7 in the region.
Kickoff Friday night is slated for 7:30 p.m.
River War
The Tigers had control of the ball first, and would draw first blood by scoring on a five play, 94-yard total possession.
Jefferson tried to even the score with just under a minute left in the first quarter, as the Dragons were able to break through the Commerce defense and into the end zone. But a flag called the touchdown back, and Jefferson trailed 7-0 going into the second quarter.
The Dragons finally got their first points of the night on the board in the second quarter, as quarterback Darius Minor got off a 55-yard pass play to senior Sky Porter for a touchdown. A bobble on the snap led to a miss on the extra point, and Commerce continued to lead 7-6.
Jefferson wasn’t done yet. The Dragons would get possession of the ball again, and pushed their way to within 20 yards of scoring. The Tigers’ line held tight, denying Jefferson entry into the end zone.
Jefferson kicker Asher Orr put a 32-yard field goal through the uprights, giving Jefferson a 9-7 lead.
As the Dragons defense continued to deny Commerce, the offense again moved Jefferson into scoring position, and with a 15-yard pass play from Minor to Hoytez Damons, Jefferson increased their lead to 16-7 at the half.
JHS Takes Charge
Jefferson continued to control the game in the second half. After a five-minute possession, the Dragons scored again on a four yard run by senior Caleb Meek to make it 23-7.
The rest of the third quarter was spent by both teams trying to make ground on the other, but neither could break through the opposing defenses to find the end zone.
Commerce tried to mount a comeback early in the fourth quarter. After starting on the Jefferson 18-yard line, the Tigers would drive to within inches of the goal line. A loss on a quarterback sack and an imcomplete pass had Commerce staring at fourth down, but Commerce broke into the end zone to score on a three yard run. Commerce was stopped on a two-point conversion, and trailed the Dragons 23-13.
A short return kick gave the Dragons a start from the 47-yard line. With just over five and a half minutes left on the clock, Jefferson began to drive. A quarterback sneak by Minor allowed him to pull out a 51-yard run to score, pushing the Dragons ahead 30-13.
The Tigers would get no closer, and Jefferson went on to record their third win over Commerce in as many years.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
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