JEFFERSON — If you want to stand a chance at beating Jefferson football this season, you better get your points and yards early.
Good luck on doing anything against the Dragons late.
Jefferson showed again on Friday that it's power ground game and defense was enough to grind down a motivated foe, as the Dragons scored 17 unanswered second half points en route to a 24-7 defeat of Jackson County in Jefferson.
The Panthers fought every step of the way and were tied 7-7 at the half, but managed just 18 second-half yards, as the Dragons (5-0, 1-0 Region 8-AAA) pulled away thanks to touchdown runs from Colby Wood (170 yards rushing) and Darrian Hill (54 yards rushing) -- who helped roll up 217 yards on the ground.
"We established the ground game in the second half, and 'm proud of Darrian for coming in in the second half and running hard," Jefferson coach Ben Hall said. "Colby ran hard too, and he's just a steady player for us. Jackson County limited our possessions early and made it tough for us."
Jefferson made life tough on the Panthers (3-2, 0-1) in the second half -- and made rushing next to impossible for Jackson County, which managed just 20 yards on the ground.
Quarterbacks Caleb Matthews and Jace Latty combined for 113 yards passing -- including Latty's 15-yard scoring toss to Tuck that made it 7-7 with 6:42 left in the second quarter.
"We had some blown assignments in the secondary, and we have to eliminate our errors on defense," Hall said.
Jefferson certainly did that in the second half, paving the way for a huge showdown next week against 5-0 Elbert County in Elberton.
Jackson County, meanwhile, will look to bounce back next week against Oconee County in Jefferson.
SCORING SUMMARY
JACKSON CO....0....7....0.....0 -- 7
JEFFERSON......7....0....3...14 -- 24
First Quarter
JEF -- Wood 2 run (Kilgore kick) :15, 7-0
Second Quarter
JC -- Tuck 15 pass from Latty (kick) 6:42, 7-7
Third Quarter
JEF -- Kilgore 25 field goal, 2:14, 10-7
Fourth Quarter
JEF -- Wood 5 run (Kilgore kick) 9:28, 17-7
JEF -- Hill 4 run (Kilgore kick) 2:49, 24-7
