GAINESVILLE — Jefferson gave Class AAA’s no. 6 team a scare on the road Friday but saw its 21-game regular season unbeaten streak end, nevertheless.
The Dragons (1-1) fell 24-21 to the Trojans after rallying from a 17-0 half time deficit. Jefferson faces Dawson County this week in its Region 8-AA cross-over game.
The Dragons’ second-half comeback included a 90-yard touchdown off a kickoff return from Drequn Sewell.
Jefferson receiver Cole Givens had a monster night with 88 yards receiving on three receptions, including touchdown catches of 23 and 61 yards in the second half.
Dragon quarterback Bryant Shirreffs, making his second start under center Friday, went 13-of-21 through the air for 183 yards and two touchdowns while adding 46 more on the ground on seven carries. Shirreffs finished with 229 total yards.
“Bryant Shirreffs threw some good passes,” coach T. McFerrin said. “Cole Givens had some great catches and Hoytes Damons had some great catches.”
Jefferson finished with 308 yards of total offense.
Defensively, the Dragons — who gave up 360 yards — were led by Chris Jackson, who had 13 tackles and one interception. Kyle Mosley, returning to the lineup after missing the preseason and the Commerce game while recovering from an ACL injury, also had 13 stops.
“It was good to have Kyle back … That sure was a great addition,” McFerrin said.
The Dragons are left wondering what could have been without turnovers.
Jefferson gave the ball away three times in the first half and went into the locker room down 17-0.
“You can’t beat good teams when you turn it over three times,” McFerrin said.
But McFerrin said his team didn’t panic at halftime, knowing the offense had moved the ball in the first half.
Sewell’s kickoff return to open the second half got Jefferson back in the game immediately.
“They made some great blocks,” McFerrin said of his special teams. “That gave us a lot of momentum.”
Jefferson tried to rally late in the fourth quarter and appeared to have moved to the North Hall 25 after a 30-yard completion from Shirreffs to Givens, but the play was negated due to an apparent motion penalty.
The Dragons had offensive success Friday despite losing.
Jefferson knocked out 15 first downs and threw for over 200 yards as the Dragons have been able to move the ball through the air this season.
“I was hoping we would,” McFerrin said of Jefferson’s passing attack. “We had a good summer in the seven-on-seven passing leagues.”
Shirreffs was able to move the ball around to different receiving targets, too.
In addition to Givens’ 88 yards receiving, Damons hauled in five catches for 67 yards and Joe Boyd had two catches for 48 yards. Shirreffs also completed passes to Shaquille Maxey, Jackson and Will Puckett.
STAT LEADERS
Rushing — Shirreffs 7-46 yds, Allen 4-18 yds, Maxey 5-18 yds
Passing — Shirreffs 13-21-183 yds, 2 TDs
Receiving — Givens 3-88 yds, 2 TDs
