Jefferson brimming with excitement over final tests of regular season

JEFFERSON -- The air is thick with anticipation at Jefferson football practice these days -- and with good reason.<br /> <br /> After storming to a 8-0 mark, the Dragons can now focus on the two games that will define the 2014 regular season -- starting with Friday's showdown against Oconee County.<br /> <br /> "You can feel it in the air around here," Dragons coach Ben Hall said. "There is an excitement from the players and coaches. We understand that we haven't had to play a four-quarter game yet -- and that's all going to change this week and next."<br /> <br /> Fourth-ranked Jefferson has been the epitome of dominance so far, outscoring foes by an average of 46-8 and putting up an average of 435 yards per game, compared with just 182 for opponents -- and that's not against doormats. Four of Jefferson's eight victims have winning records and are in position to reach the playoffs in their respective regions.<br /> <br /> That said, the Dragons expect their toughest tests to date when the Warriors (7-1, 3-1 Region 8-AAA) pay a visit this week before Jefferson travels to Hart County (8-0, 4-0) on Nov. 7.<br /> <br /> "We have to be ready to play our best now and again in the playoffs," Hall said. <br /> <br /> Oconee County may be the most improved team in the state, regardless of classification, as coach Travis Noland -- formerly of Stephens County -- has guided a turnaround that has already seen the Warriors post their highest win total in 10 seasons. And after going just 2-8 last year, Oconee has already played itself back into the postseason.<br /> <br /> "We knew going into the season that Oconee would be much improved," Hall said. "Coach Noland does a great job, and they had a bunch of athletes returning."<br /> <br /> Hall also expects the Warriors to be primed for a rebound after a 49-21 defeat -- their first of the season -- last week against Hart County.<br /> <br /> "They are a fundamentally sound team that makes you beat them; they don't beat themselves. And if you make a mistake, they'll punish you," Hall said of Oconee. "We're going to be challenged, especially in the secondary. Their quarterback makes good decisions and improvises well, so we better stick to our assignments."<br /> <br /> Junior signal caller Zeb Noland, Travis Noland's son, has passed for over 1,200 yards so far on the season. Yet what makes the Warriors particularly dangerous is a big part of the Dragons' success: balance. <br /> <br /> "They're very similar to us. They play a pro style, and they can hurt you with the run and pass," said Hall of an Oconee team that has also rushed for over 1,200 yards -- led by sophomore running back Christian Casey. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Warriors' 3-4 defense will mix up styles, blitzing and dropping off on occasion, and features junior linebacker Jaleel Laguins -- who leads the team in total tackles and has offers from Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and Penn State.<br /> <br /> "Offensively, we have to protect the football," Hall said. "We can't make mistakes and give them opportunities."<br /> <br /> That hasn't been much of an issue for the Dragons so far this season, as they have committed just eight turnovers -- an average of one per game -- while forcing 15 from opponents, including 12 interceptions. It's just one statistic that helps illustrate how the Dragons have grown and improved over the course of the campaign, and Hall says perhaps their biggest strength is something far less tangible.<br /> <br /> "It's a smart group that knows its weaknesses and finds ways to make up for that," Hall said. "They have worked hard to get better, and we have a lot of smart kids who understand the game."<br /> <br /> For example look no further than Hunter Gatlin and Ethan Garner. Both players have taken up new positions for the 2014 campaign and are excelling.<br /> <br /> "Hunter was an outside linebacker/defensive end last year and has now taken over the fullback role, and Ethan was an offensive tackle last year that asked to move to tight end," Hall said. "The way they play allows us to be multiple, and they've been great leaders for us. Both are just smart kids that took to new positions very easily. <br /> <br /> "I was apprehensive to move Ethan at first, because he was our only returning starter on offensive line. But he's a good athlete, and he's really opened up some things for us. And the offensive line has really come along this season too. They're not a bunch of rookies anymore."<br /> <br /> Indeed, the Dragons' maturity and understanding of the game has allowed to coaches to shift players around in multiple formations and looks -- a factor that has caught a number of opponents off-guard and made Jefferson that much harder to stop.<br /> <br /> "This is the most multiple we've been on offense and defense," Hall said. "We do that because we feel like we have to mix things up to compete at the levels we want to compete at."<br /> <br /> Right now that level is pretty impressive -- though they know they must keep it up to reach their remaining goals.<br /> <br /> "We haven't really been tested yet," Hall said. "We'll find out even more about ourselves in the next few days."

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