COMMERCE — Jefferson football always cherishes a victory over rival Commerce -- but the Dragons are loving a 4-0 start even more.
Jefferson powered its way past its oldest foe on Friday night, claiming its eighth win in nine years over the Tigers, 34-10 in Commerce.
“It’s huge to be undefeated, and we fought a gritty team tonight,” Dragons coach Ben Hall said. “(Commerce) came out and battled us tooth and nail just like we knew they would. But I really love the way our kids responded and battled when it didn’t go easy for us.”
The Dragons (4-0) responded to a 3-0 first quarter deficit with 34 straight points, running back Colby Wood leading the way, as the sophomore scored three touchdowns and finished with 183 yards on the ground.
Running behind an offensive line that seemed to get stronger as the game developed, Wood took his season rushing total to 802 -- an impressive number as Jefferson looks toward its bye and the start of the Region 8-AAA schedule in two weeks.
“I feel good about this team,” Hall said. “We’ve got guys growing up, a sophomore quarterback, a sophomore running back. And having an off week to rest up is really going to benefit us.”
The sophomore quarterback, Bryce Moore, finished the night 7 of 14 for 133 yards, a touchdown and an interception -- a night that included a handful of key third down completions -- including a 21-yard rope to Wood. He also hooked up with receiver Caleb Cooley (3 receptions, 53 yards) for a seven-yard touchdown that pushed Jefferson in front for good at 6-3.
The Tigers (2-1) hurt their own cause with five fumbles, losing two of them. And while Commerce did manage 122 yards rushing -- led by 56 yards from Cole Chancey -- they could not maintain their early momentum against a powerful Jefferson front.
“I don’t know that we ground them down. Our kids are tired too,” Hall said. “It wasn’t fluid or as strong as we would like it to be, but I’m proud of the way we fought it out.”
It was the Tigers that started impressively, quarterback Caleb Brooks connecting with J’Varius Wood for a 40-yard pass immediately after kickoff to set up a 34-yard field goal from Andres Salgado for a 3-0 Commerce lead.
The long play proved one of the few offensive highlights in the early going, however, as two tenacious defenses combined with drive-killing penalties to stifle the offensive rhythm of both teams.
The Tigers defense helped them escape unharmed from a fumble recovered deep in their own territory late in the first quarter -- but Commerce could not keep the Dragons quiet for the entire half, and Jefferson began to get its claws into the game before the half.
Receiving a punt at its own 18, Jefferson marched down the field on the strength of big plays from Colby Wood and Darrian Hill -- Wood ripping off a long run and catching a 20-yard pass to set up first down at the Commerce 18. Dragons quarterback Bryce Moore also connected with Kaleb Cooley to put Jefferson on the board -- the seven yard strike giving the visitors a 6-3 lead with 3:01 left in the half (the point after attempt failed).
Jefferson wasn’t finished, however, knocking the ball from Will Thomas’ grasp for Zack Boobas to recover at the Commerce 39.
Three plays later Colby Wood rumbled into the end zone, spinning off tackles en route to a 15-yard touchdown and a 13-3 advantage with 1:34 left in the half. And the sophomore was far from finished. Wood capped the Dragons’ second possession of the second half with a 10-yard scamper for a 20-3 lead that gave the visitors some breathing room.
Five minutes later, Wood picked up his third score of the night, rumbling in from nine yards for a 27-3 advantage, as the Dragons continued pulling away. Darrian Hill capped the scoring on a 4-yard plunge with 6:46 remaining for a 34-3 lead.
Commerce fashioned a late response with a scoring pass from Brooks to pull within 34-10, but it was much too late for the Tigers, who will look to bounce back next week at Athens Academy.
Jefferson will take a bye next week before facing Jackson County on Sept. 25 to kickoff 8-AAA play.
SCORING SUMMARY
JEFFERSON....0...13...14....7 -- 34
COMMERCE....3.....0.....0....7 -- 10
First Quarter
CHS -- Salgado 34 field goal, 7:30, 3-0
Second Quarter
JHS -- Cooley 7 pass from Moore (kick failed) 3:01, 3-6
JHS -- Wood 15 run (Kilgore kick) 1:34, 3-13
Third Quarter
JHS -- Wood 10 run (Kilgore kick) 6:37, 3-20
JHS -- Wood 9 run (Kilgore kick) 1:59, 3-27
Fourth Quarter
JHS -- Hill 4 run (Kilgore kick) 6:46, 3-34
CHS -- Wood 10 pass from Brooks (Salgado kick) 3:44, 10-34
