JEFFERSON — Change surrounds the Jefferson football team in the run up to 2018.
The Dragons' Memorial Stadium has been under a near two-year facelift. Dynamic playmaker Colby Wood (5,786 career yards and 79 touchdowns) has graduated. Jefferson also will move back down to Class 3A and Region 8-3A after two very productive seasons in Class 4A.
And now the Dragons will sport a new-look offense as they switch to a spread option attack. Fans used to a power run game behind Wood the last four seasons will be treated to a more pass-oriented attack with perhaps the most dynamic receiver corps in north Georgia -- featuring senior tight end Garmon Randolph and senior wide receivers Sammy Elegreet and Zac Corbin.
That does not mean Jefferson is abandoning the run, however.
Hard-nosed junior Colby Clark, who is also a capable and punishing runner and guided the offense the last four games of 2017, will return at quarterback, while junior RB Donsha Gaither and junior FB Kade McNally will try to fill the hole left by Wood's departure.
"We have the ability to spread and stretch defenses a little more this year, and we're going to try and take advantage of the personnel we have," Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart said. "We can put Garmon at tight end spot or split him out wide, which will be a matchup problem for any defense. Colby (Clark) has had a great spring and summer, and we like his development as a passer to go with his ability to make reads and run the ball."
The changes, however, should not affect the Dragons' ability to make another playoff run. They have a solid blend of experience, led by the highly-recruited Randolph, to go with what is expected to be a stellar freshman class, led by running back/quarterback Malaki Starks, who unfortunately will begin the season on the injured list. Cathcart said Starks has the potential to be one of the state's most dynamic talents over the next four seasons, barring further injury.
JEFFERSON: NEED TO KNOW
MASCOT: Dragons
TEAM COLORS: Royal blue, Red and White
CURRENT REGION: Region 8-3A
HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Gene Cathcart, second season, 10-3
2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 10-3, Class 4A quarterfinalist
KEY LOSSES: RB/DB Colby Wood, QB Bryce Moore, OL Logan Garner, OL Hunter Griffith, FB Justin Cole, LB Matt Nilsen, DB Tyler Roberts, DB Addison Clay, LB Cale Compton
OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread option -- The Dragons will change offenses for the first time in Cathcart's four years as an assistant and head coach as they look to utilize what could be the best receiver corps in north Georgia while also maintaining their pounding ground attack.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Jr. QB Cobly Clark, Sr. TE Garmon Randolph, Sr. WR Sammy Elegreet, Sr. WR Zac Corbin, Sr. OL J.T. Middleton (UNC-Charlotte commit), Sr. OL Logan Whidby, Sr. OL Ryan Godfrey, Jr. RB Donsha Gaither, Jr. FB Kade McNally, Fr. RB/QB Malaki Starks
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 -- Jr. LB Cobly Clark, Sr. DE Garmon Randolph, Sr. S Zac Corbin, Sr. DL Aaron Hall, Jr. DB Donsha Gaither, Jr. LB Kade McNalley, Fr. DB Malaki Starks, Sr. DB Cole Potts, Sr. DL Vaughn Howington, Jr. DL Hurst Young, Sr. DL Gavin London, So. LB Paxton Corkery, Sr. CB Sammy Elegreet
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Hayden Kilgore, Sr. KR Zac Corbin, Sr. LS Seth Glausier, Clark and Kilgore battling for punting duties
STRENGTH: OL/skilled positions -- Seniors Randolph, Middleton, Whidby, and Godfrey give the Dragons four returning starters up front with the ability to help them continue a power running game. Meanwhile, Randolph, Elegreet, and Corbin should offer matchup nightmares on the edges for any opposing defense in what the Dragons hope is an even more potent passing attack than in recent seasons.
QUESTION: Inexperince on DL/offensive change -- The change in the offensive approach may take a few games to fully unleash as they try to take advantage of their speed on the outside. There is depth and talent along the defensive front but most of it is unproven.
KEY GAMES: The Dragons have an interesting non-region schedule with the likes of former region foe Oconee County (Aug. 17, away) and Gainesville (Sept. 14, home). The region title could come down to the Monroe Area matchup on Oct. 9 but a road trip to defending region champion Morgan County (Oct. 12) could be huge as well.
TRENDING: The numbers continue to be up for Jefferson, which has been one of the most successful programs north of Atlanta the last half-dozen seasons. They have made five trips to the quarterfinals or better in that span, including capturing the 2012 Class 2A state championship, and the drop in classification should not affect a potential playoff run for the Dragons. In fact, Cathcart said the freshman class could be one of the most balanced and talented in program history so the future is still very, very bright. And this for a program that has missed the postseason just once over the last 18 years.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 at Oconee County
Aug. 31 at West Hall
Sept. 7 vs. Southside (S.C.)
Sept. 14 vs. Gainesville
Sept. 21 vs. East Jackson*
Sept. 28 at Franklin County*
Oct. 5 vs. Hart County*
Oct. 12 at Morgan County*
Oct. 19 vs. Monroe Area*
Oct. 26 at Jackson County*
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
