Football 2013: Dragons re-fitted and ready to defend state title

JEFFERSON -- New Jefferson football coach Ben Hall just smiled when asked if he had any idea that legendary coach T McFerrin -- on the heels of the Dragons' first-ever state championship -- had been thinking of retirement.<br /> <br /> Now Hall, who had been Jefferson's offensive coordinator, will have the unenviable task of trying to replace a legend while navigating through his first-ever head coaching job and trying to keep the Dragons on top of the Class AA heap.<br /> <br /> "You don't replace a guy like T McFerrin. He's a legend, not just in Georgia but around the southeast," Hall said. "I'm just going to try and keep us moving forward and get better every day."<br /> <br /> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/72491540" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/72491540">2013 Jefferson Preview</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/wduntv">WDUN TV</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /> <br /> To complicate matters, the Dragons are having to replace the Class AA Player of the Year in quarterback Bryant Shirreffs, top receiver McKay Dickens, and leading tackler Wesley Simonton.<br /> <br /> "Those guys were great players and the heart and soul of the team. But every year in high school you have guys to replace, and we're taking that attitude that the next guy needs to step up," Hall said.<br /> <br /> Taking over for Shirreffs will be his younger brother, junior Evan Shirreffs, who saw significant action last year as a backup. The younger Shirreffs is more of a pure drop-back passer than the dual threat Bryant and should offer some different options on offense.<br /> <br /> Senior fullback Tristen Jackson returns as does junior receiver Isaiah Blake and senior receiver Chandler Thompson. Preseason All-State tight end Donnie Hatfield (senior) will also feature. The line will be anchored by seniors Jordan Tyler, Eli Griffin, and Ethan Hix. <br /> <br /> "We're still going to be a ball-control offense that runs out of the no-huddle," Hall said. "We won't have the big runner at QB like Bryant but Evan brings his own strengths. We still have some great receivers so I feel we can be just a potent as last year, just in a different way."<br /> <br /> The defense, which was underrated and overshadowed by the offense, should also be strong, led by an experienced secondary. Seniors Hanon Price (cornerback), Austin Mixon (free safety) and junior Tradd Porter (safety) give the Dragons plenty of speed in the backfield. Junior Trent Sorrels will anchor the linebackers and senior Tyler Bowen will lead the defensive line.<br /> <br /> Hall said he knows fans will be watching to see how the Dragons transition from their best season ever. But he said he's ready for the challenge.<br /> <br /> "This is the only job I wanted," he said. "It's a special place, a great school, and it feels like home to me every time I walk in here. It's been a very smooth transition so far. It's been more than I could have ever imagined."