JEFFERSON — Power football has been the name of the game -- and the driving success -- behind the Jefferson Dragons offense the past three seasons.
Featuring two-time region Player of the Year in running back Colby Wood and a pair of now-graduated Division I linemen in Caleb Chandler and Dontae Wilson, the Dragons ran roughshod through most foes, including all the way to last season's Class AAAA semifinals.
As the team's offensive coordinator the past three seasons Gene Cathcart was instrumental in helping build that attack. Don't expect the Dragons' offense to remain a carbon copy in 2017, however.
Now with Cathcart as head coach -- he took over from the departed Ben Hall (now at Flowery Branch) -- personnel changes and the emergence of a pair of speedy receivers could see the Dragons open things up a little more in 2017 -- though Wood will still be front-and-center to the gameplan.
"We lost some key guys up front, and we don't really have that power line like the last couple of years," Cathcart said. "We want to maintain our run personality, but we'll have to be a little more balanced with the pass to make that happen. We're thrilled to have Colby Wood back with us. He's a great kid with a great work ethic. We'll need to find him some help."
The Dragons still have a dual quarterback threat in senior Bryce Moore and sophomore Colby Clark. But Cathcart said finding consistency in the passing game to offset teams stacking the box with eight or even nine defenders to stop Wood may determine their success. Moore, more polished through the air, has further improved his passing skills in the offseason, Cathcart said, while Clark proved during summer 7-on-7 leagues that he too can find receivers.
The pair will have a trio of outstanding targets running routes in rangy junior Sammy Elegreet, senior Zac Corbin, and senior Clay Pender -- the school record-holder in the 800 meters.
"Bryce is a better runner than most think and Colby (Clark) is a better thrower than he's given credit for. We feel comfortable with either one of them," Cathcart said. "Colby (Clark) will play practically every snap on defense and is so valuable on that side that we don't want to wear him out on offense. Sammy has really stepped up and could have a breakout season for us. We're also really excited to see what Clay can do for us with that kind of deep threat."
Cathcart said maintaining their lofty standards -- both in region and postseason -- is the ultimate goal.
"We have a tough schedule going to Thomson and Gainesville (in non-region play) and we're hoping we'll be able to get better each week and have a chance at the region title again," he said. "(Region) 8-AAAA may be the toughest in the state, so if you win that then you figure to have a shot for a deep playoff run. That is our goal again."
JEFFERSON: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Dragons
- TEAM COLORS: Royal Blue, Red and White
- CURRENT REGION: Region 8-AAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Gene Cathcart, first season
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 12-2, Region 8-AAAA champion, Class AAAA semifinalist
- KEY LOSSES: OL Caleb Chandler, OL/DT Dontae Wilson, WR Chaz Evans, LB Jonathan Paolozzi, DE Will Kellen, LB Blake Wright, Saf/RB Zac Boobas, Saf Alex Mason
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- The Dragons will continue to lean on the ground game with 2-back sets but will also look for balance on the through the air with several potential standouts on the perimeter.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. RB Colby Wood (1,642 yards rushing, 20 TDs; 355 yard receiving, 4 TDs), Sr. QB Bryce Moore, So. QB Cobly Clark (663 yards rushing, 9 TDs), Jr. TE Garmon Randolph, Sr. OL Logan Garner, Sr. OL Hunter Griffith, Sr. OL J.T. Middleton, Jr. WR Sammy Elegreet, Jr. WR Zac Corbin, Sr. FB Justin Cole
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3/3-4 -- Jefferson will use multiple looks to offset different defensive alignments, and while they may not be as big as recent seasons, they will still be athletic and mobile.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. DB Colby Wood, So. LB Cobly Clark, Jr. DE Garmon Randolph, Sr. DT Logan Garner, Sr. DT Hunter Griffith, Sr. DT J.T. Middleton, Jr. S Zac Corbin (All-Region, leading returning tackler, 51 stops), Sr. LB Justin Cole, Jr. DL Aaron Hall, Sr. LB Matt Nilsen, So. DB Donsha Gaither, Sr. DB Tyler Roberts, Sr. DB Addison Clay, Sr. LB Cale Compton, So. LB Kade McNalley
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Hayden Kilgore, Sr. KR Colby Wood, So. KR Zac Corbin, Jr. LS Seth Glausier
- STRENGTH: Experience/depth at skilled position -- The Dragons are deep at multiple skilled positions which will help in keeping the plethora of two-way players fresh. They return 11 starters from last year's semifinal team but have nearly two-dozen lettermen that saw significant action in 2016.
- QUESTION: Size/secondary -- The Dragons won't be as big up front or as deep than the last couple of years, which may dictate which style offense they employ on a per-game basis. They also will be thin and inexperienced in the secondary after graduating several key players on that unit.
- KEY GAMES: The Oconee County-Jefferson matchup has been key in the region race over the last few years and may be so again if the 8-AAAA race comes down to the final weekend. The Dragons have one of the more interesting schedules of any team in the area with a road trip to Thomson, who swept the Dragons in two hardfought battles last season, including in the semifinals. The Sept. 15 showdown with AAAAA Flowery Branch will pit the Dragons against former coach Ben Hall and they also will travel to Gainesville on Sept. 22. They open 8-AAAA play with a pair of back-to-back home games against Madison County and North Oconee.
- TRENDING: Jefferson sports a new head coach in Gene Cathcart, however, don't expect a letdown as Cathcart was the offensive coordinator for the Dragons the past three seasons and a highly succesful head coach before that, winning a state title in South Carolina and making Habersham Central a repeat region champ and state quarterfinalist (2003-08). Despite a slew of personnel changes due to graduation, do not expect much of a drop off, if any, from a program that has been to the quarterfinals or better four of the past five seasons, including winning the 2012 Class AA state title. Jefferson has developed into one of the power programs in northeast Georgia, going 58-9 over the past five campaigns.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 vs. Discovery
Aug. 25 at Riverwood
Sept. 1 at Thomson
Sept. 15 vs. Flowery Branch
Sept. 22 at Gainesville
Sept. 29 vs. *Madison County
Oct. 13 vs. *North Oconee
Oct. 20 at *St. Pius
Oct. 27 at *Stephens County
Nov. 3 vs. *Oconee County
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
