Stingy JCCHS ‘D’ has allowed three points in two games
JCCHS FOOTBALL: Panther pride on defense
If not for a meaningless last-second field goal from Walnut Grove Friday, Jackson County’s defense would enter this week’s region opener against Fannin County unscored upon.
Opinions varied over those three points that slipped through the cracks in Jackson County’s 21-3 win.
“No, that’s nothing,” said sophomore cornerback Garrett Holt Friday after intercepting three Walnut Grove passes and recording nine tackles. “That’s three points. If they can’t score (a touchdown) … I mean, they’ve got to get those points somehow.”
Coaches weren’t as generous — especially defensive coordinator Jay Reid.
“Coach Reid is still not really happy about that,” Panther coach Billy Kirk said Monday.
Jackson County (2-0) returns to action Friday at 7:30 p.m. on the road against Fannin County (2-0) in its region opener. This is the Panthers’ 8-AA crossover game, meaning the game doesn’t count in the subregion standings but could break a tie in the 8-AA South pecking order at the end of the year.
The Panthers go into this game hoping to keep up the early-season defensive intensity.
Jackson County gave up a touchdown in its two-quarter, lightning-shortened, season-opening win against Johnson-Gainesville, but that score came against the Panther special teams. So Walnut Grove’s field goal is the only mark against the Panthers defense thus far.
“It (the field goal) was disappointing,” said senior safety and team captain Alex Crawford who had six tackles Friday, “but I guess for a second-year school, that three points probably meant a lot to them.”
Led by Holt’s three interceptions, Jackson County forced four turnovers Friday — all interceptions — while transfer linebacker Billy Manis had 19 tackles in the win over Walnut Grove.
The coach also notes the addition of Trey PettyJohn, who’s switched from offense to defense, and the consistent play of seniors Kelly Moates, Nick Oney, Miguel Guereca and Crawford.
Kirk didn’t shy away from talking up this defense during the preseason. In fact, he called this unit the best he’s coached since he’s been on the job. The Panther boss said it all starts with Reid, his defensive coordinator.
“He’s a great Friday night coach,” Kirk said. “He makes great adjustments and the kids listen and they respond with him. He throws out a lot of passion, so our defense is great.”
Jackson County’s defense has its work cut out for it now with region play starting. Friday’s foe, Fannin County, went 6-4 last year and is 32-12 since 2006.
But what offense the Panther defense will face Friday is a mystery.
The Rebels have shown three different offensive looks this season between one scrimmage and two games: the wishbone, power I and the spread.
But Kirk said the Panther staff keeps its defensive playbook simple and Reid can adjust on the fly.
“What we do defensively, it’s very, very easy for us to make adjustments for what they do,” Kirk said.
It won’t get any easier after Friday night with games against teams like East Jackson, Elbert County, North Oconee, Jefferson and Hart County on the horizon.
For a defense that’s done a good job of keeping offensives at bay so far, a new intensity will be required.
“We have a different mindset going into region,” Crawford said. “This (non-region play), we’re more having fun and (being) relaxed. We bow our necks and it’s down to business now. Pre-game is silent — everything. You’ll probably see a different team.”
Opinions varied over those three points that slipped through the cracks in Jackson County’s 21-3 win.
“No, that’s nothing,” said sophomore cornerback Garrett Holt Friday after intercepting three Walnut Grove passes and recording nine tackles. “That’s three points. If they can’t score (a touchdown) … I mean, they’ve got to get those points somehow.”
Sophomore cornerback Garrett Holt intercepted three passes in Jackson County’s 21-3 victory over Walnut Grove.
Coaches weren’t as generous — especially defensive coordinator Jay Reid.
“Coach Reid is still not really happy about that,” Panther coach Billy Kirk said Monday.
Jackson County (2-0) returns to action Friday at 7:30 p.m. on the road against Fannin County (2-0) in its region opener. This is the Panthers’ 8-AA crossover game, meaning the game doesn’t count in the subregion standings but could break a tie in the 8-AA South pecking order at the end of the year.
The Panthers go into this game hoping to keep up the early-season defensive intensity.
Jackson County gave up a touchdown in its two-quarter, lightning-shortened, season-opening win against Johnson-Gainesville, but that score came against the Panther special teams. So Walnut Grove’s field goal is the only mark against the Panthers defense thus far.
“It (the field goal) was disappointing,” said senior safety and team captain Alex Crawford who had six tackles Friday, “but I guess for a second-year school, that three points probably meant a lot to them.”
Led by Holt’s three interceptions, Jackson County forced four turnovers Friday — all interceptions — while transfer linebacker Billy Manis had 19 tackles in the win over Walnut Grove.
The coach also notes the addition of Trey PettyJohn, who’s switched from offense to defense, and the consistent play of seniors Kelly Moates, Nick Oney, Miguel Guereca and Crawford.
Kirk didn’t shy away from talking up this defense during the preseason. In fact, he called this unit the best he’s coached since he’s been on the job. The Panther boss said it all starts with Reid, his defensive coordinator.
“He’s a great Friday night coach,” Kirk said. “He makes great adjustments and the kids listen and they respond with him. He throws out a lot of passion, so our defense is great.”
Jackson County’s defense has its work cut out for it now with region play starting. Friday’s foe, Fannin County, went 6-4 last year and is 32-12 since 2006.
But what offense the Panther defense will face Friday is a mystery.
The Rebels have shown three different offensive looks this season between one scrimmage and two games: the wishbone, power I and the spread.
But Kirk said the Panther staff keeps its defensive playbook simple and Reid can adjust on the fly.
“What we do defensively, it’s very, very easy for us to make adjustments for what they do,” Kirk said.
It won’t get any easier after Friday night with games against teams like East Jackson, Elbert County, North Oconee, Jefferson and Hart County on the horizon.
For a defense that’s done a good job of keeping offensives at bay so far, a new intensity will be required.
“We have a different mindset going into region,” Crawford said. “This (non-region play), we’re more having fun and (being) relaxed. We bow our necks and it’s down to business now. Pre-game is silent — everything. You’ll probably see a different team.”
The Panther's D-Line is lead by Seniors, #38 Austin Van Allen, a nose guard who had 5 solo tackles and 6 assists in the game against Walnut Grove and who has lead the team in sacks and tackles for losses, and captain #71 Alex Nanigan who is a very solid tackler and a force the be reckoned with at the tackle position. Then you have #56 Anthony Bassett, a Junior who has also been a major help in the Panther's success.
All I'm saying is that the Defensive line is one of the most challenging positions in the game and to not even mention those guys in the article is wrong and so I'm more than happy to have their backs, being a former linemen myself. So I would like to see both the offensive and defensive lines at least recognized in upcoming articles.
The Panther's D-Line is lead by Seniors, #38 Austin Van Allen, a nose guard who had 5 solo tackles and 6 assists in the game against Walnut Grove and who has lead the team in sacks and tackles for losses, and captain #71 Alex Nanigan who is a very solid tackler and a force the be reckoned with at the tackle position. Then you have #56 Anthony Bassett, a Junior who has also been a major help in the Panther's success.
All I'm saying is that the Defensive line is one of the most challenging positions in the game and to not even mention those guys in the article is wrong and so I'm more than happy to have their backs, being a former linemen myself. So I would like to see both the offensive and defensive lines at least recognized in upcoming articles.