JEFFERSON — In the mind of Jackson County coach Brandon Worley, there’s been no real corner-turning event. There’s been no true measuring stick.
Yet, when Jackson County travels to West Hall on Friday night, the Panthers have a chance to do something that no team in the program’s history has ever done: begin a season with a perfect 4-0 record.
In 1992, under the guidance of the late Don Golden, Jackson County opened with a tie against Forsyth Central and then won six straight. That still stands as the best start for any Panthers team.
Three times -- in 1991, 2012, and 2015 -- they won three of their first four games to open a season. They began 2009 with three straight wins but then lost their next six games.
But Worley, now in his third season at the helm of the Panthers, said they are still far from finding that program-changing win.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it, which I guess means there probably hasn’t been one in (the coaches) minds,” he said. “Our priority is to just keep things moving forward. If we do that every week, every season, then perhaps we can look back and find that one game where it all changed. But I don’t think we’ve had it yet.”
However, two of the Panthers' wins in 2017 have come against teams they lost to last season (Madison County and Lumpkin County). They were routed by West Hall 42-0 in 2016 at home following those two losses and then lost to East Hall after that.
Surely, a win on Friday would serve as some kind of measuring stick that more than just progress is under way for the program? They also will take on the Vikings the following week with a chance to avenge that loss.
“We really are just looking at who we play that week. We don’t ever want to make things about one game,” Worley said. “This won’t be a measuring stick either way as far as we’re concerned.
“But, what I do see is that everyone in the program is starting to feel happy for the guys in front of them and supporting each other. That’s going all the way down to the middle school level. That’s a key foundation to building the kind of program we want here.”
The current Panthers have been built on a power running game and are averaging over 250 yards a game rushing behind Noah Venable. The senior running back (101 carries, 608 yards, 5 TDs, 3 100-yard games) is on pace to shatter his own single-season rushing record (1,381 yards, 10 TDs) set last year. What’s even more impressive is that teams are stacking the box but have had little success stopping Venable and the ground attack so far.
The offensive line of seniors Wesley Harper, Hunter Baggett, Collin Lewis, Noah Breakspear, and Noah Hayes, along with junior Jonathan Fountain, has paved the way for Venable to have another breakout season. Senior quarterback Grey Akins has also been efficient running the offense
“Those guys have played well all season,” Worley said. “We felt that (the line) would be the strength of the team. The other teams have been keying on Noah every week and most every play. The line guys are really stepping up.”
But, Worley knows that the Spartans (2-1) may be the best team they have faced thus far. And, they are coming off an impressive 20-0 shutout of Washington-Wilkes and their usually potent ground game. West Hall, which has yielded just seven points since a season-opening loss to Gainesville, held the Tigers to 122 yards rushing and 161 total yards for the game.
“West Hall will be a huge challenge for us,” Worley said. “They are well-coached and they are playing well right now. The key will be no turnovers. We also will have to tackle well. The line on both sides of the ball by both teams will be huge.”
The Panthers defense also has been stingy so far, giving up just 30 points (10.0 points per game) compared to 84 points (28.0 ppg) against the same three opponents in 2016. Senior linebacker Ben Bade, junior nose guard Justin Key, and sophomore cornerback Tyler Wester have led a rejuvenated group.
“I think our defense has played tough every game so far and those three guys in particular have stepped up and been leaders out there for us,” Worley said. “But they will have their hands full this week.”
All of this had Worley having to take a moment when asked how good could this current Panthers squad could get.
“We have experience and we have talent and they are growing as players each week,” he said. “They know that adversity happens every week. I’ve been real proud of how they have handled it.
“Honestly, to me, this team can be as good as they want to be. I guess we’ll find out.”
