JEFFERSON — When Jefferson and Thomson walked off the field back on Sept. 2, many that witnessed the Bulldogs' 42-20 win at Memorial Stadium had a sneaking suspicion it would not be the last time the two Class AAAA titans cracked helmets in 2016.
On Friday, exactly three months to the day, they will do just that when the Dragons hit the road to Thomson (if unexpectedly -- the game was orginally scheduled for Jefferson -- but more on that later). Only this time, more than just bragging rights will be on the line: the winner will earn a trip the Georgia Dome and a shot at the Class AAAA state title.
Jefferson (12-1) never led in the first contest, falling behind 14-3 in the second quarter. The Dragons pulled within 21-13 early in the fourth but the Bulldogs (13-0) toted up 21 points in the final 10:44 without an offensive touchdown, using a pair of kickoff returns and a fumble recovery to seal the win.
The explosion represented the largest single-quarter outburst allowed by Jefferson this season. The 42 points was the most in a single game.
Jefferson coach Ben Hall is hoping the changes made after the Dragons’ only loss of the season will combine with a shot at redemption to propel his team back to its first championship game since winning the 2012 Class AA title.
AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night and sports writer Jeff Hart sat down with Hall to discuss what Jefferson plans to do different, if anything, in Friday night’s rematch.
QUESTION: How different is your team since that first game? Personnel, attitude, how you game plan?
ANSWER: Well our team has grown, just like every team you hope grows and improves throughout the year. Personnel-wise we did make a change at the quarterback position following that Thomson game, and it changed us somewhat offensively to where we are more of power run team instead of a play-action approach at the quarterback position. As far as preparation for Thomson there is no difference than there was during the first meeting. Thomson is consistent in what they do in that they are a ground-heavy team, and they're gonna run that power game with (Michael) Thomas, who I think is in a position to become their all-time leading rusher so that speaks volumes for that kid. We are going to have to work hard to limit his yards. We can’t control the number of carries he gets but we have to make tackles and try to contain him as much as possible.
Q: Thomas (who has 2,143 yards and 23 TDs on the season) did have a good game in that first meeting (182 yards, 3 TDs). Do you expect more of the same as far as him getting the bulk of the work, or with it being the playoffs and one step from a title shot, do you think they may install some new wrinkles on offense?
A: Week-in and week-out you prepare for wrinkles from the other team, but at the end of the day every team is going to rely on its foundation. We’re expecting them to run their power game out of the gun with two and three backs, and they are very efficient with their offense and have really hard runners, downhill runners, and they are physical, so limiting them on the yards per carry is a big key for us on defense.
Q: After the first Thomson game you inserted a freshman, Colby Clark, as the starting QB. First, how has he helped the offense? Also, how has he helped the defense in giving you another option on offense and allowing guys like Zack Boobas, who is critical on the defensive side, some rest during games?
A: Well he has helped our offense by being another threat in our power running attack. But people overlook the fact that Colby Clark also starts on defense for us and plays every play on that side as well. But offensively (Clark) takes pressure off the tailback position where when the quarterback is a threat to run on the misdirection counter game that forces defenses to play more honestly, and they can’t key just on Colby Wood even though (Wood) carries the bulk of the load in the running game. This year I think (Wood) is averaging 15 to 17 carries per game where last year he was at 26, 27, 28 carries a game. This has allowed (Wood) to be fresher on both offense and on defense where we really need him at that corner position. Colby Clark also has improved in the passing game, and with his running ability he can turn what probably may have been an incompletion into a positive play. A lot of his carries were on designed pass plays, so we think that also gives us another way to attack the defense. But (Clark) has also made big plays with his arm in the passing game so he has brought a lot to the offense. As for Zack, he gets about seven or eight carries a game and is able to stay a little fresher as well so that we can use him more aggressively on defense.
Q: On offense, Colby Wood only had 49 yards rushing in that first game. Do you have anything new to show Thomson or will it just be about executing your offense better than you did in the first game?
A: I think execution has to improve and I think it should improve. That was Game 3 and now we’re on Game 14 so you know there is an 11-game difference. Colby Wood was limited but you also have to understand that he played every rep at the Rover position on defense because we were forced to shuffle the deck because we had a couple of kids who missed that game. So (Wood) was in the game on virtually every play, and it was hot and humid that night. Zack Boobas I think led us that game in rushing, but he battled some cramping, as did a lot of guys that night on both teams. The 49 yards, we don’t put a lot of stock in that because (Thomson) may have been keying on (Wood) more that night and Zack picked up the bulk of things. We’re just going to go with whoever has the hot hand, whether it’s Colby Wood or Colby Clark or Zack.
Q: Staying with the offense, you have mentioned throughout the season that the the offensive line has been the backbone of the team. Talk about their play. And, how critical will it be for them to have perhaps their best game of the season on Friday?
A: Without a doubt that will be a key area. I think we’ve played well up front all year and they have improved from week to week, and that's our goal going into each game. They have really stepped up even more in the playoffs. The last two teams we played in the playoffs (West Laurens and Cairo) other than Thomson were the best defenses we've seen. The West Laurens front-seven is as good as anybody and Cairo was very athletic, like sharks in the water. I think they called those guys the Land Sharks and they were flying around. But the offensive line is the backbone of our offense and has been year-in and year-out, and we’ll just have to be patient and fundamental in our approach up front, and I think good things will happen for us in the run game. I expect them to have a good game, but it will take their best effort, no doubt.
Q: Do you feel like that the offensive line vs. the Thomson defensive line was a favorable matchup in that first meeting?
A: I thought Thomson neutralized our size up front. We have decent size. Caleb Chandler is like 295, but the other guys probably only average around 235 to 240 at the other four positions so we’re not that big. Thomson has guys that are 275 to 280 across the line, and that was the first time we had seen that kind of size. Now having played defensive fronts like West Laurens and Cairo that are similar in size to Thomson, I think that should help us this time around. But if we’re fortunate enough to make it to Game 15, the guys up front are going to have to play at a high level like they have the last couple of weeks.
Q: Now to the defense. The unit only gave up one offensive TD in the second half in that first game and just three drives for the game. Do you feel your defense can win at least half of the battles on Friday? Will you be a little more aggressive or will it be more about maintaining assignments?
A: Maintaining assignments I think is a good way to put it. When you look back and study the breakdown of that first game we had alignment errors, and that was mainly due to several guys playing out of position. We didn't hit well and tackle well at times, and they took advantage of that with some long runs. We know what they’re going to do so we just need to maintain our assignments and tackle well. One way we can limit their touches is by controlling the ball and maintaining possession and controlling the clock by keeping the ball on offense. If we can sustain drives, it will put more pressure on their defense and keep ours rested.
Q: On special teams, they were able to get two huge kickoff returns and keep momentum on their side when you were trying to make a comeback. How key will special teams be?
A: They put a lot of pressure on you on their punt team, and they’re explosive on returns as you saw in that first game. We will have to be more sound in our punt protection and limit them on returns. The kicking game will play a crucial role again, I think, whether by not allowing them anything or if either team has breakdowns.
Q: No one on your current squad, at least from a players standpoint, was a part of that 2012 state title tile team. However, many of them were in the middle school program and got to witness that experience. Thomson has not been this far since winning the Class AAAA 2002 state title. Do you think either team has an advantage coming into this game?
A: I don’t know if either team has an advantage from that standpoint. I feel that both programs are very well-coached, and, for us, our kids who have grown up here I think they understand the importance of success in the fall. Every opportunity we have to take the field in the playoffs we try to play with that survive-and-advance mentality and do whatever it takes to win. Thompson is a storied program and coach (Rob) Ridings does a fantastic job over there. They are physical and explosive and they play our brand of football. I think both coaching staffs have done a great job of putting their players in a position to have success, and that's the key to any high school football team on Friday nights.
Q: You and many on your staff were part of that 2012 title season. You have the experience of getting to and winning in the Georgia Dome. How important is it to get back to the Dome and make a statement that Jefferson is ready to be considered among the elites in the state and a title contender every year?
A: Whenever a team has an opportunity to play for a state championship that is a storied event that will help define any program. We were able to win the state championship in 2012, and it has given the program momentum that will last for years to come. To play for a title is a special time for the kids and the school and the community so it’s a big deal. Thomson is such a tall order for us, and our kids remember the first game. Right now they are just focused in on Thomson. They understand the opportunity looming in front of them is a special one if they're able to advance.
Q: Does having the game moved to Thomson affect how you will approach this game? Does the advantage now fall to the Bulldogs?
A: Well other than lining up transportation and then the pregame meal it’s really about the same. For our kids, we traveled last weekend. It was a huge task driving six hours on the road to Cairo and prepare to play a very good team. We were able to come out on top and generate some momentum. Our kids really have a road warrior mentality. We’re undefeated on the road this year (6-0), and we talked about that (Monday). Thompson got us at home, and now it's our turn to go down to their place and give it our best effort and see if we can turn the tables. But regardless of where the game is played this is a special opportunity. A special characteristic of this group is that they believe they should win. When you have a group of kids that believe that, when you can create that culture where you believe you should win every time you take the field, that can carry you a long way. We preach all the time to be patient, maintain our poise, and just let the game come to us. (Last week) we went into a hostile environment against a very talented (Cairo) team, and it didn't start well for us. We were limited in the first half to two offensive possessions, and they scored on their first possession. But once the defense adjusted to the speed of the game we were able to pull it out at the end. When you're playing teams like West Laurens, Cairo, and now Thomson, in a row, you just want to stay in the game. If you can stay in the game, you always have a chance to win.
