The Jefferson Dragons took their first steps towards defending their region title Friday night, as they knocked off their first region opponent of the year handily, defeating the Dawson County Tigers 56-16.
Up next is another region opponent, the Fannin County Rebels.
The Dragons will have to make the long journey to Blue Ridge Friday night to face the Rebels, who are coming off of a 35-21 loss to region opponent East Jackson.
Fannin County enters the match up 1-1 overall, and 0-1 in the region.
The Dragons have the definite advantage over the Rebels on paper. So far, Jefferson has scored 86 points overall, and has allowed only 29 points to be scored against them.
Fannin County has scored 45 points overall this season, and has allowed 53 to be scored against them.
In last year’s game, which was held at Jefferson, the Dragons decimated the Rebels 41-6. The Dragon Nation is hoping for a repeat of history on Friday night.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Dragon Domination
The Dragons flexed their muscles early on against the Tigers of Dawson County, scoring four straight touchdowns on four straight possessions in the first seven minutes of the game.
Lucas Redd was the first Dragon to score, giving Jefferson an early 7-0 lead. On their next possession, the Dragons drove down the field, and six plays later, Redd broke through the Dawson County line to put Jefferson ahead 14-0.
After holding Dawson County at bay on their next possession, J.J. Damons fielded the Tigers’ punt, then returned it for a 56-yard touchdown.
The next Dawson County possession resulted in another Tiger punt. This time, quarterback Darius Minor fielded it, and returned it for an 84-yard touchdown.
The Tigers took possession again, but fumbled on their own 31-yard line. The Dragons recovered and on their next play, Minor ran the ball in for a 31-yard touchdown.
The Dragons would score again before the half, as Minor made a 19-yard pass to J.J. Damons for a touchdown.
Despite Minor sitting out the second half of the game, things did not get any easier for Dawson County.
First, a Tiger pass was intercepted by Andre Daniel. One play later, Chris Jackson ran the ball in 11 yards for the touchdown.
In the end, it was a Dragon rout, as Jefferson won 56-16.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
