Several spectators across Northeast Georgia will be interested in Friday night’s Hart County-North Oconee game — none more than Jefferson’s coaches.
The Dragons, who are off this week after a 27-17 loss to Hart County, face North Oconee next week. The Hart County-North Oconee clash pits the team Jefferson just played against its next opponent.
“They’ve got a fine football team,” T. McFerrin said of North Oconee. “They play Hart County Friday night, so we’ll know a lot more then.”
Jefferson coaches will scout Friday’s game in Hartwell as they continue to formulate a plan for their team’s huge subregion contest next week in Bogart.
But the off week is valuable aside from allowing extra preparation for North Oconee.
The Dragons (2-2, 0-1), who have been bitten by the injury bug since the preseason, are banged up through four games and need the extra days to heal.
Jefferson hopes to get tight end Hoytes Damons and linemen Collin Anthony and Dylan Simmons back from the injury list.
“Hopefully, we’ll get three players back,” McFerrin said. “That will make a tremendous difference in our football team.”
McFerrin was complimentary of his team’s resolve in its loss to Hart County as Jefferson had to play shorthanded, especially on the offensive line. Still, the guys in the trenches helped the Dragons rush for 142 yards. Jefferson also had 15 first downs.
“I was really proud of the offensive line,” McFerrin said, “to play that well with some starters out.”
Jefferson will need all the able bodies it can muster next week against a North Oconee team that’s off to a blistering start.
The Titans, only in their seventh year of football, have won their first three games by a combined 132-7. That includes a 42-0 demolition of Commerce. Jefferson beat Commerce 17-14.
North Oconee began region play last week with a 48-0 thumping of Rabun County in the Titans’ 8-AA cross-over game. The Titans’ game with Hart County is their subregion opener.
Next Friday marks yet another road game for Jefferson. The Dragons had just one home game in August and September combined.