Football 2014: Jackson County learning to handle expectations

JEFFERSON -- Jackson County coach Benji Harrison said his Panthers have made great strides in his two seasons at the helm. The team's 10 wins in that span is its most since the 1992-93 seasons. <br /> <br /> Now, he wants his team to take that next step.<br /> <br /> "We have made a lot of progress but with that now comes expectations. Our goal is to keep improving and become a consistently winning program that has a chance every year at region titles and state titles," Harrison said. "We're still building the program, but I think this year it's important to try and take that next step of winning with expectations."<br /> <br /> The Panthers slipped back to 4-7 last season after their first winning season in 2012 (6-5) since going 8-2-1 in 1992. But they were a young team across the board and lost two games by six points or less and let leads late in the fourth quarter slip away in two others.<br /> <br /> "We improved tremendously after the first three games last year and we have the pieces in place this year, with more experience, and I feel we will be competitive every week," Harrison said.<br /> <br /> The key, Harrison said, will lie in improving on defense, where the Panthers allowed 36 points per game and yielded 35 or more points six times.<br /> <br /> However, they have six returning starters on defense. Senior Todd Woodring and juniors Jace Latty and Chase Wester anchor a good secondary and junior Jorge Monzon will anchor the line. Junior Griffin McElvery and sophomore Mason Williams lead a young linebacking group.<br /> <br /> "We need to be much more physical on defense and we have to stop the run better than last year," Harrison said. "We're more athletic this year with more experience so I feel we'll be improved on that side of the ball. But in this region, if you don't stop the run it's tough to win. If we can do that better, we have a good chance in every game."<br /> <br /> Offensively the Panthers will again operate out of the spread attack. Senior QB Jacob Lewis, who passed for 2,579 last season, returns and will work with talented receivers in juniors Antonio Strickland and Wester and senior Caleb Smith. Junior Malik Tuck returns in the backfield and senior Silas Vincent anchors what should be an improved line. The unit averaged 30 ppg last year and should be primed to match or top that in 2014.<br /> <br /> "Lewis has improved, and our receivers are speedy and talented so I think we will put up some points," Harrison said.<br /> <br /> They will need all the points they can get in what is expected to be a rugged 8-AAA in 2014. Jefferson moved up from Class AA to join what was already a competitive region with Elbert County, North Oconee, Hart County, and Morgan County.<br /> <br /> "There are no easy games in our region but our guys believe in what they are doing and should be ready by the time region starts," Harrison said. "We have four tough non-region games to get us ready and if we improve each week we have a good shot at another playoff run."