HARTWELL — Malaki Starks' 33-yard pass to Spencer Neese with 26 seconds to go lifted Class 4A No. 2 Jefferson past Class 3A No. 10 Hart County, 26-19, Friday on the road.
The Dragons survived another test on their daunting schedule over the last couple of weeks.
Starks was 3 of 7 for 114 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also added 51 yards on the ground. Kolton Jones rushed for 56 yards on two carries.
As expected, the battle between the two former Region 8-3A foes was a dandy, with both teams finishing under 300 total yards of offense -- .Jefferson finished with 259 total yards of offense, while the Bulldogs totaled 278 yards.
The Dragons took a 12-0 at the half off a Kaden Bailey fumble return for a touchdown and a Starks 34-yard pass to Dawson Crawley.
Starks hit Neese (2-80 yards receiving, 2 TDs) in the third quarter on a 47-yard pass, giving the Dragons a 19-6 advantage.
The Bulldogs scored a touchdown in the third and two in the fourth.
JT Lackey led the Bulldogs' rushing attack with 123 yards, while Malachi Thomas has 103.
