JEFFERSON — Every Friday night this fall, Dontae Wilson has spent time grinding and pounding in the trenches for Jefferson football.
And while he has impressed on both sides of the ball, there's no doubt which part of the game gives Wilson more pleasure.
"I'm a defensive guy. I play both, but I like defense better," said the Dragons senior offensive/defensive lineman. "You've just got to be the meanest man on the field with defense. You've just got to be able to -- you've just got to have it in your mind that nobody out there is going to beat you. That's the mindset you've got to have."
Anyone that has watched Jefferson play this season knows that Wilson is hardly alone in his viewpoint. In fact, the Dragons (11-1) pride themselves on their defensive attitude and ability.
For example look no further than last week's second round Class AAAA playoff defeat of West Laurens in which Jefferson pulled away for a 21-0 win while allowing 70 yards of offense to the visitors -- for the entire game.
It was just the latest example of the Dragons' ability to stop opposing offenses -- and one they hope will help lead them into their first state semifinal berth since 2012 on Friday when they travel to face Cairo.
"It's a big relief knowing you don't have to go into every game looking to out-score people," Jefferson coach Ben Hall said. "There's nothing wrong with punting the ball when you have a defense like we're playing with now."
That defense has not disappointed this campaign, yielding an average of just 11.6 points per game, while not giving up more than two touchdowns in a single contest since a 31-28 defeat of Gainesville on Sept. 23 -- yes, Jefferson yielded three touchdowns to Pickens in a 56-21 first round playoff win, but the first score came on a kickoff return, and the Dragons held a 38-7 lead at halftime in that contest.
And with a showdown looming against a Cairo team allowing just 12 points per game, the Dragons know they must continue to be at their stingiest if they are to keep moving through the postseason bracket.
"Cairo's another strong, stout defensive team," Hall said of a Syrupmakers squad that has not allowed a touchdown this postseason. "They held Sandy Creek to seven points (in a 10-7 second round win in which Sandy Creek's only score came on a punt return); it's another game down there in their stadium where the yards are going to be tough, so our defensive players are honed in or zoned in. And we feel they have a good idea what Cairo brings offensively, and we're going to lean on those guys."
The Dragons have leaned on their defense all season. With so many veterans and so much talent, they had an idea they could.
"We have guys up front; it starts with them, with Dontae Wilson and Will Kellum and Caleb Chandler and Aaron Hall.," Hall said. "Those guys have done a great job controlling the line of scrimmage on that side of the ball. And then linebackers Johnny Paolozzi, Blake Wright and then behind them you've got guys like Zack Boobas, Colby Wood. Those guys have been strong in the secondary for us. And like I said they're playing at a very high level."
That group played a key role in last season's run to the second round of state -- and is focused on helping the team get even further this season in the program's fourth state quarterfinal appearance in five years.
"It's just everybody playing together and the will to win. We all have heart, and we love to win, play hard together," Wilson said.
The Dragons cannot afford a drop in concentration against a Cairo offense scoring 31.5 points and putting up 283 yards per game.
"They're a true spread team, where they spread you from sideline to sideline. And they do a good job of mixing in play-action from the gun and hitting those guys, so we're going to have to play really well in the second and third level," Hall said. "I think Cairo's approach will be to kind of neutralize our defensive line of scrimmage with that approach. So our second and third level guys, linebackers and secondary, are going to have play a really strong game."
That has not been a problem of late, in fact the second and third levels of the Dragons defense have excelled -- even after Jefferson entered the season with a paucity of experience at cornerback.
"I feel like we've lived up to our expectations. We knew we had some holes in the secondary, but I feel like the guys have been paying outstanding the last four games. And they've been getting interceptions, coming up and making excellent tackles. I'm beyond proud of the guys; they've been playing hard, lights-out defense," Wilson said. "And our d-line's been playing excellent, and we're just playing together as a whole."
And now that unit is thrilled with the thought of taking on yet another challenge.
"As one of our most esteemed coach's say we've just got to hit them in the mouth every time, every play," said Noah Mulvey, Jefferson junior defensive end. "That's how we win. Just hit them in the mouth."
And these Dragons believe they have plenty haymakers yet to throw.
JEFFERSON at CAIRO
- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
- WHERE: West Thomas Stadium, Cairo
- RADIO: 102.9 FM
- JEFFERSON (11-1, No. 1 seed Region 8-AAAA): Dragons defeated West Laurens 21-0 in the second round
- CAIRO (11-1, No. 1 seed Region 1-AAAA): Syrupmakers defeated Sandy Creek 10-7 in the second round
