JEFFERSON’s Thanksgiving vacation will include time away from school, certainly some turkey and — oh, yeah — a pretty big football game.
The Dragons (10-1) take on Westminster (5-6) Friday at home at 7:30 p.m. in the second round of the state playoffs.
“Yeah, it feels really good (to be playing this late in the year),” Jefferson quarterback Bryant Shirreffs said. “Especially us not having school, I think our focus is really strong for the game Friday.”
Jefferson coach T. McFerrin said he and his staff will likely work more on preparation during the Thanksgiving holidays than they do at any other time during the year.
“We’re expecting to spend more time this week than we ever do because we’ve got more time off with school out,” McFerrin said.
Westminster comes into this game with a misleading 5-6 record. The Wildcats have played the likes of Blessed Trinity, St. Pius X, Laney, Woodward Academy, no. 1 ranked Thomson, Greater Atlanta Christian and Lovett.
“That’s what our players know,” McFerrin said. “We’ve already told our players that. Their record, don’t even look at their record. They may be the best team we’ve played well year.”
Westminster’s losses have come to teams with a combined record of 55-15.
“Their strength of schedule is probably the hardest we’ve faced all year,” Shirreffs said. “As far as hustling, I think they’re the hardest hustling team and probably the best team we’ve faced all year.”
The winner of this game faces the winner of Vidalia and Fitzgerald next week in the quarterfinals.
Westminster —which pounded Pepperell 34-0 in the first round — is led by quarterback Jake Forte. McFerrin said this is “by far” the best passing team his squad has seen this year. Westminster is very multiple offensively “with every formation known in the world.”
“They run so many formations,” McFerrin said. “Gosh, just the offensive formations is driving our defense crazy. (Assistant coach) Nate Webster had 10 pages of formations last night (Sunday night) when he left the field house.”
Defensively, the Wildcats are hard to game plan for as well since they show three different defensive looks.
“That’s a lot to prepare for,” McFerrin said.
Westminster is also lights-out on special teams with place kicker Harrison Butker, who has committed to Georgia Tech.
“This is by far the best kicking team we’ve faced all year long,” McFerrin said. “They’re outstanding.”
Meanwhile, the Dragons come into this game following another 40-point performance and 200-yard night on the ground.
The Dragons might have viewed themselves as more of a passing team early on, but Jefferson has since developed into a balanced offense.
Shirreffs leads the team with 770 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Sammy Williams has 682 yards and 10 scores. Tristen Jackson has 436 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“I think we’re going to balance it out more this game,” Shirreffs said. “I’ve been really pleased with the whole offensive scheme. Going into this year, we thought we were going to be a more pass-oriented team, but it’s turned out to be more balanced just because of the strength we have running. I feel like Tristen and Sammy are doing really well, and I’ve been fortunate to have some games where I’ve been able to run.”
Aside from a trip to the quarterfinals — which would be the Dragons’ first since 1977 — an 11th straight victory is at stake for Jefferson.
That would tie a school record.
The Dragons have been winning with ease for a while now. Jefferson hasn’t had a competitive game in the fourth quarter of any game after outlasting North Hall 27-21 back during week three.
“It feels good obviously winning, but I think we want a little bit more competition, and we’ll definitely get that Friday,” Shirreffs said. “We haven’t played a full season if you think about it. Most of us are out by halftime or by the first drive of the third quarter. Playing a full football game will be a challenge for us, but I think we’re all ready to get back on that.”
Shirreffs added that he believes the Dragons “are a fourth quarter team.”
“Even though we haven’t played that many fourth-quarter games,” he said.
