JEFFERSON — Jefferson football absorbed some tough lessons on Friday.
The Dragons will have to put them use almost immediately.
Jefferson suffered its first defeat of the campaign last week -- thanks to an opportunistic and determined Oconee County squad. And with just one contest remaining in the regular season, the Dragons know they need to make it a one-time occurrence, especially if they are to net their second straight Region 8-AAA crown and charge into the postseason with full momentum.
For his part, Jefferson coach Ben Hall believes his team is ready for a bounce back.
“We played a fine football team last week, and when you lose close like that, every mistake is magnified,” said Hall, who watched his team fall 36-35 in double overtime in Watkinsville after allowing just 49 points in its previous eight contests. “The kids know that now. When you haven’t really experienced something like that it’s hard to understand. But it set in with the kids on Friday. They were upset. But we talked about it, and they have responded. They have come back focused and ready to get better.”
The Dragons (8-1, 4-1 Region 8-AAA) also understand that they cannot afford mistakes again this Friday -- not against a Hart County team that, like Jefferson, is still in the thick of the 8-AAA championship race.
“I believe Hart County is the most explosive team in the region,” Hall said. “We’re going to have play some of our best football this Friday.”
The Bulldogs (7-2, 4-1) feature a balanced attack that is passing for 208 yards per game, while also rushing for 215. Quarterback Robert Allen has spread the ball around this season, with three players catching double digit numbers of passes -- senior Zach Maldonado is by far the most consistent threat, hauling in 43 receptions for 933 yards and 6 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Trae Stowers (673 yards rushing, 5 TDs) and Trey Clark (547 yards, 7 TDs) pace the Hart ground attack.
“They’ve also got the most athletic defensive line we’ve seen,” Hall said. “Our kids know they’re going to be out-matched athletically, so we’re going to have to be fundamentally sound and execute.”
After last week, the Dragons believe they will be ready to do just that.
“They’re champing at the bit to get back on the field,” Hall said. “This team has had a chip on its shoulder since spring, when nobody really picked us to do much because of who we graduated from last season.”
For much of this campaign Jefferson’s new crop of stars have shown they are ready for the spotlight, relying on a punishing ground attack anchored by a veteran and imposing offensive line -- one that is clearing the way for sophomore running back Colby Wood, who's 1,711 yards rushing is amongst the top five totals in the state. He also has 26 touchdowns.
Yet Oconee sold out to slow the Dragons rush attack, and, by grabbing a two-touchdown lead, forced the visitors to go to the air more -- a shift that still provided key plays for Jefferson, as quarterback Bryce Moore put up his first 200-plus yard passing game of the season.
"We had almost 400 total yards of offense, so we were moving the ball; we just had some missed opportunities that hurt us -- of couse Oconee had missed opportunities too; it was a very even game," Hall said. "We knew we'd face a game like that at some point this season, and Bryce gave us a chance to win throwing the ball. We'd like to be 50-50 run-pass right now, but that's not where our strengths are at the moment -- but we're still developing there."
Both teams will be looking for any edge on Friday, as a loss could relegate either to the No. 4 seed from Region 8-AAA. In fact the same scenario is also in play for Oconee County and Elbert County, who will battle on Friday in Watkinsville.
All four teams are already qualified for the playoffs and alive in the region title hunt, but the pecking order is still to be determined. Jefferson’s path to the championship requires a victory over Hart County as well as a win for Elbert County over Oconee. Yet if the Dragons fall to the Bulldogs and Elbert wins, Jefferson would take fourth.
“I’ve never been in a situation quite like this,” Hall said. “I was an assistant on the 2008 Flowery Branch team that lost one region game but finished as the No. 4 seed in the region -- because we were subdivided and that’s how it played out. That team went on to the state championship game that year.
“Right now we’re just focusing on us; everything else will take care of itself.”
