Needing and expecting a victory, Jefferson got back in the win column with a 34-7 thumping of struggling Oglethorpe County Friday at home.
Drequn Sewell scored two touchdowns and the Jefferson defense came up with four interceptions — three of which led to touchdowns — as the Dragons snapped a two-game losing streak.
(See JHS-Olgethorpe game photos here).
It was just the kind of victory Jefferson (3-3, 1-2) needed after tough losses to Hart County and North Oconee.
“Yeah, we did, just to get our experience back up,” Dragon linebacker Kyle Mosley said. “We played a lot of people tonight ... It was a good game. We got everybody in.”
Jefferson built a 27-0 lead at the half before emptying its bench in the second half.
Dragon receiver Cole Givens, who had 105 yards receiving last week, had another huge night with 148 yards receiving. Chris Jackson led Jefferson on the ground with 49 yards and one touchdown.
Bryant Shirreffs, who ran for a two-yard touchdown early to give Jefferson a 7-0 lead and later added a six-yard touchdown pass to Hoytes Damons, finished with 173 yards through the air.
Coach T. McFerrin noted that Dragon penalties wiped out some big plays as Jefferson committed seven infractions after averaging only about four per game this year.
“We were sloppy on offense,” McFerrin said. “I was disappointed with that.”
The coach, however, was pleased with his defensive charges.
Andre Daniel, Kody McDonald, Cain Finch and Isaiah Blake all had interceptions as Jefferson held Oglethorpe to just one touchdown (and that score came on special teams).
Three of those interceptions came in the first half.
With the Dragons up 7-0 in the first quarter, Daniel picked off a pass and returned it to the Patriot 31. Jackson scored four plays later on a five-yard run.
In the second quarter, McDonald grabbed an interception and returned the ball to the Oglethorpe County 22. That set up a 12-yard touchdown run from Sewell with 2:59 left in the half.
Just over a minute later, Finch grabbed an interception at the Dragon 29, and Jefferson moved quickly to score. Keyed by a 48-yard pass from Shirreffs to Givens, Jefferson tallied its fourth touchdown of the first half with Shirreffs’ six-yard strike to Damons with 26 seconds left.
In addition to his pick, McDonald, who was promoted to a starting linebacker job last week, led Jefferson with nine tackles. Zach Allen had seven tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack. Jefferson held Oglethorpe County to only 105 yards.
For the Dragons it all added up to their first win since Sept. 10.
“I’m glad we won and that was the big thing,” McFerrin said.
