JEFFERSON, Ga. — Jefferson's slow start ended with a strong finish.
After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Dragons outscored Stephens County 35-14 to blow past the Indians 45-28 Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
"For two weeks in a row, we've had to come out and play really good in the second half," Jefferson coach Travis Noland said. "I'm very proud of how we did it tonight."
The Indians jumped out to an early lead after junior defensive back Da’von Swinton perfectly timed a Gavin Markey pass and took it 39 yards for a touchdown. They also scored on their following drive, putting them up 14-0 with 11:55 to go in the second quarter.
After posting four scoreless drives, the Dragons found a spark from Mykel Pittman, who punched it in from 10 yards out for the first score of the game in the second quarter. Taylor McCall added a 32-yard field goal late in the second quarter to close the gap, 14-10, at the half.
In the second half, Rett Hemphill would get his first two touches of the game, hauling in a 39-yard pass and capping off the drive with a 10-yard rush that would be the first of his three scores of the half.
Jefferson had found their groove.
Hemphill was lights out in the second half. He had five touches on offense for 136 yards and three touchdowns.
Hauling in a 19-yard pass for a touchdown and torching the Indian defense on a 68-yard run to put Dragons up 45-28 with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter.
Hemphill also made his presence known on the other side of the ball, recovering a fumble after getting a sack and snagging the game-sealing interception on the Indian’s last drive.
The Dragon’s defense was suffocating in the second half. They got pressure on about every snap in the second half and constantly had Stephens Co. senior QB Tripp Underwood under duress.
Senior DL Kelan Butler recorded two sacks and about a dozen pressures on the night.
Jefferson travels to take on North Oconee next Friday. Gametime is set for 7:30.
