JEFFERSON — Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart is done talking about injuries.
He’s shifted his focus past the most-talked-about storyline of the 2018 campaign and is preparing his troops for a run at the Region 8-3A title and a deep playoff run in 2019.
Losing 40 percent of the starting rotation, however, wasn’t easy, including quarterback Colby Clark and fullback Kade McNalley – both were on pace to have record seasons. But the Dragons persevered through it, winning seven straight and making a first-round Class 3A appearance.
“It speaks volumes about the incredible job our players, particularly our seniors, and staff did dealing with and overcoming the adversity,” Cathcart said. “And still finding a way to remain so competitive and, frankly, finding ways to win games.”
Cathcart said those injuries helped the Dragons grow.
“One of the few positive side effects of those injuries was the other guys who got experience and playing time,” he said. “Not only did that gain game experience, but it’s elevated our team chemistry because we had a lot of guys contribute last year. We have so many guys coming back this year that played in games last year. It’s definitely a painful way to grow but certainly helped the team grow.”
Regardless of injuries, the Dragons averaged 32.45 points per game last season in Cathcart’s spread option base offense. Breaking it down on offense, 87 percent of the team’s total rushing output returns, which includes 394 carries for 2,506 yards and 33 TDs. The team also returns 938 passing yards and 9 TDs.
Leading the ground attack was Clark with 575 and 10 touchdowns before he was injured in Game 7. Senior Donsha Gaither was called on more after McNalley was injured and was the second-leading rusher with 515 yards and seven TDs. Junior Paxton Corkey, who rushed for 304 yards and three TDs also returns.
As for McNalley, now a senior, his return to the lineup will add more power to the already potent run game of the Dragons.
Clark is back to take the reins of the offense at quarterback. Before his injury, he tossed 464 yards and four TDs. Junior Carter Stephenson, who took over for Clark last season, threw for 474 yards and five TDs.
Also, expect to see sophomore Malki Starks, a player Cathcart says is a dynamic playmaker.
“He’ll play a number of positions for us – quarterback, running back and wide receiver,” he said. “He’s already being recruited. He’s just such a difference-maker.”
“It’s one of most deep classes that I’ve been fortunate enough to have,” Cathcart said about the sophomores. “It has a great mix of lineman and skill bodies. We have all positions in that group. There will be a lot of key players from that sophomore class. Hopefully, they’ll make us look smart.”
Defensively, the Dragons multiple fronts held their opponents to 13.36 ppg and an average of 227 yards per game last season.
The Dragons will be OK at linebacker and secondary, but Cathcart said the defensive line is a work in progress.
Right now, senior Hurst Young and junior Colton Dufresne return on the defensive line.
At linebacker, Clark, Corkery, McNally, juniors Spencer Neese and Rem Maxwell will anchor the middle. Clark also will mix in at defensive back along with Gaither and junior Nick Evans.
The Dragons will have to gel early with non-region tests from Oconee County, West Hall and at Gainesville. The region is a different story. They'll open on the road at East Jackson, host Franklin then travels to Hart County, which is the preseason pick to win it. They'll finish with region and state contenders Morgan and last year's region champ, Monroe Area, and host a Jackson County team, coached by Rich McWhorter.
“Hart has been everyone’s pick to win the region this year and Monroe area kind of walked the dog last year,” Cathcart said. “I’d say that, traditionally, it’s been a deal between Morgan and Monroe Area. Hart is kind of the pick this year that all the coaches have on the list.
“I think it’s whoever can stay healthy and play good football. I certainly think that we’ll challenge, but it’s a pretty evenly distributed region. I think it has a good bit of depth – maybe more depth than people outside the region would think.”
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, third season, 99-22
- 2018 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 8-3, first round of the Class 4A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: TE/DE Garmon Randolph, WR/CB Sammy Elegreet, WR/DE Zac Corbin, OL J.T. Middleton, OL Logan Whidby, OL Ryan Godfrey, DL Aaron Hall, DB Cole Potts, DL Vaughn Howington, DL Gavin London
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread option -- The Dragons change last year seemed to work well, averaging 32.45 PPG and 4,000 yards of total offense. The change allowed the Dragons to utilize their speedy receiver corp and a pounding ground attack.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. QB Colby Clark, Sr. RB Donsha Gaither, Sr. FB Kade McNally, Jr. QB Carter Stephenson, Jr. FB Paxton Corkery, Sr. OL Mason Ware, So. RB/QB Malaki Starks
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3/3-4 -- Jefferson's defense only allowed 13.36 PPG last season despite dealing with multiple injuries. They return plenty of healthy depth this season which will help. The athletics and mobile unit looks to offset different defensive alignments to keep the opponent off-balanced.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 9 returning starters -- Sr. LB Colby Clark, Sr. DB Donsha Gaither, Sr. LB Kade McNalley, So. DB Malaki Starks, Sr. DL Hurst Young, Jr. LB Paxton Corkery, Jr. DB Nick Evans, Jr. LB/DE Rem Maxwell, Jr. OLB Spence Neese, Jr. DL Colton Dufresne, Sr. DL Hurst Young
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Fr. Owen Botts & So. Eli Ivey will be battling for placekicking duties; Colby Clark returns at punter
- STRENGTH: Experience/teamwork -- The Dragons return 15 starters from last season's team, but injuries wiped out almost half of the team. The good thing, most of those injured players are back, including seniors Clark, McNally and Junior Corkery to lead a team that won seven-straight to end the season. Cathcart says they've had one of the best offseasons in a while and the team has grown closer through the adversity. It's a group that has grown closer and it should help Dragons through the Region 8-3A gauntlet.
- QUESTION: Overcoming injuries/DL/special teams -- Last season, the Dragons lost 40-percent of their starters to injury. Cathcart says a big question is how will those injured players respond this season. Most of the defensive line graduated, which means it'll be brand new. The kicking game is up in the air and is a battle between a freshman and sophomore. They have depth and talent to fill both the line and kicking game, but most of it is unproven.
- KEY GAMES: The Dragons will have to gel early with non-region tests from Oconee, Southside, West Hall and Gainesville. The region is a different story. They'll open on the road at East Jackson, host Franklin then travels to preseason region pick, Hart County. They'll finish with region and state contenders Morgan and last year's region champ Monroe Area and end the season at home with a new-look Jackson County team, coached by Rich McWhorter.
- TRENDING: The Dragons were bummed by injury last year, but the team rallied to win seven straight to end the season. They have most of those players back this year and are building off the last year's adversity. Jefferson is one of the most successful programs north of Atlanta the last seven seasons. They have made five trips to the quarterfinals or better in that span, including capturing the 2012 Class 2A state championship. They return plenty of depth and experience to continue that success in 2019. Cathcart said this team has had the best offseason in a long time. Intense workouts and summer training along with team cohesion have been the driving force of Jefferson. If all that translates to the field, the Dragons could be dancing deep in the Class 3A playoffs in 2019.
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
