JEFFERSON has its pick of motivating factors Friday night when it lines up against no. 6 Elbert County — facing a high profile team, challenging the reigning region champions and defending the Memorial Stadium turf on senior night just to name a few.
Elbert County (6-0, 3-0) also beat the Dragons 51-7 a year ago, which Jefferson players still remember.
“That just ramps it up even more,” senior defensive end/offensive lineman Carson Newman said. “It gets in my mind and makes me more focused. Even before this week, I was more focused on this game. Just watching film, (that) comes earlier. Instead of doing it on Monday, you watch it on Sunday. You just prepare for it better. You want it better. You want the win better.”
Speaking of plot lines, Jefferson coach T. McFerrin has an interesting tie to this game, having coached Elbert County during its most prosperous period in school history, 1990-1996. He won a title with the Blue Devils in 1995.
Old ties aside, McFerrin said it’s who Jefferson is playing and what’s at stake that makes this a must-see game.
“It’s a great game because they’re so good,” he said.
Jefferson hopes for better results this year in containing Elbert County’s tremendously fast running backs. Junior speedster Tyshon Dye, the Blue Devils’ leading rusher, already has scholarship offers from Georgia and Clemson and has been running wild on teams this fall.
Newman said the only other team he can remember possessing this type of speed was during his freshman year when Jefferson played Lovett in the playoffs. The keywords for Dragon defenders this week:
“Containment and discipline,” Newman said.
But Elbert County, which beat Hart County 29-7 last week, features more than just a bunch of blazing runners this year. They’ve added more bulk.
“They’ve gotten bigger and stronger than they were last year,” McFerrin said. “You can tell they’ve been in the weight room.”
Of course, Jefferson too sees itself as a changed squad this season compared to the one that lost to Elbert County by 44 points last year. The Dragons were 3-3 at this point in 2010. Now, Jefferson enters this game at 5-1 and averaging 42.3 points per game this season.
What’s different about Jefferson this year?
“Leadership,” Newman said. “We have 16-17 seniors. We have 16-17 leaders on the team. It’s the want to do better, not just the playing for yourself. You’re playing for the whole team.”
This is the last of what’s been a series of big regular season home dates for the Dragons. Elbert County’s trip to Memorial Stadium will be its first since 1977.
“I’m glad we don’t have to go to the Granite Bowl,” McFerrin said of Elbert County’s home stadium. “The Granite Bowl is a tough place to play.”
Jefferson hopes Memorial Stadium will be just as inhospitable to the visitors. The Dragons want to send their seniors out as winners on senior night in what could be this class’s final game at home.
There would be no grander way to send them out.
“I’m so excited,” Newman said. “I don’t feel a lot of pressure but then I do in a sense. I didn’t even think about it being my last game. It will be reality after it’s done … I’m so excited for the game to come. I’m ready. Like I said, I’ve been prepared for it since last week.”
JEFFERSON 48, OGLETHORPE CO. 13: Jefferson tuned-up for its shown-down with first-place Elbert County with a 48-13 waltz over Oglethorpe County Friday in Lexington.
Bryant Shirrefffs finished 11-of-15 for 133 yards and two touchdowns. His 11-yard scoring strike to McKay Dickens gave Jefferson a 14-0 first quarter lead as the Dragons poured it on in the first half and never looked back.
Kamen Johnson had an efficient night in the backfield, scoring three touchdowns on just four carries. His one-yard score in the second quarter gave the Dragons a 21-0 lead with 4:58 left in the first half. McFerrin pointed to other areas of Johnson’s game.
“He really blocked well at fullback,” McFerrin said.
Jefferson then took a 28-0 lead at the half when Shirreffs hit Will Puckett for a 13-yard scoring strike.
That would be more than enough points for Jefferson, which gave up its only touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters. The Dragons recovered from a rough start defensively against Oglethorpe County’s flexbone attack and ended up playing well.
“I think they had to get used to the option,” McFerrin said.
Carson Newman enjoyed a career-night defensively, racking up 21 tackles — including eight tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries (see story on 1B).
Kody McDonald also logged 16 tackles.
“We’re really proud of him,” McFerrin said of McDonald.
Offensively, Tristen Jackson led Jefferson on the ground with a career-high 133 yards on nine carries.
“I was really pleased with Tristen Jackson,” McFerrin said.
Drequn Sewell ran for 46 yards on five attempts, including a 32-yard touchdown. Isaiah Blake added 17 yards on seven carries and a two-yard touchdown.
McKay Dickens had a career-best night receiving with 78 yards on four catches, including his touchdown reception. Will Puckett finished with 33 yards on three catches and a touchdown reception. Blake had 58 yards on four catches.
Asher Orr was 6-of-6 on extra point attempts.
