DAWSONVILLE — It all came together for Jefferson in the second quarter Friday. The Dragons (3-0) exploded for 35 points in the quarter en route to a 42-14 win against Dawson County (1-2) in Dawsonville.
It was also the coming-out party for the defense, which held the Tigers scoreless through the first half and until the game was well in hand.
“Our defense really stepped up and played well,” said Jefferson coach T. McFerrin. “It was a good team effort tonight.”
Jefferson junior quarterback Bryant Shirreffs had another solid outing, finishing 11 of 16 for 146 yards passing and a touchdown in one half of play.
But it was the ground game that led the way with senior running back Drequn Sewell scoring three times on eight carries and 49 yards in the first half. Jefferson compiled 207 yards on the ground and 353 total yards.
“It feels good,” Sewell said on starting 3-0. “We’re headed to a good season.”
The Dragons have certainly started the season well, defeating teams from Class A, AA and AAA. Next Friday could be the biggest test yet, as Jefferson plays its first subregion game of the season at Memorial Stadium against Hart County.
If they build on what they accomplished Friday night, Jefferson will have a good shot at yet another win.
“They were on tonight,” said Tigers coach Jeff Lee. “Coach McFerrin’s got a good football team.”
The Dragons offense took nearly a quarter to really get going, but once they did they couldn’t be stopped.
Shirreffs finished a 13-play drive with a 1-yard run on fourth and goal and 1:46 in the first to set the tone and go ahead 7-0.
Jefferson would continue in the second quarter with touchdowns on the next five possessions to take a commanding 42-0 lead when halftime finally halted the Dragons attack.
Sophomore running back Tristen Jackson led the team with 59 yards on the ground and another touchdown to go along with Sewell’s three. After Dragons senior Andre Daniel intercepted Dawson County quarterback Tyler Dominy, Shirreffs capped off the first half with a 32-yard pass to a diving Cole Givens in the end zone. Givens finished with 91 yards and a touchdown.
Dawson County recovered and scored twice in the second half, and Dominy finished 16 of 27 for 149 yards with a touchdown and interception on the night. Junior running back Zack Martin led the Tigers with 46 yards rushing and a touchdown.
After a season-opening win, Dawson County has now dropped the past two games. The Tigers still have one more non-subregion game at Chestatee next week before diving into the subregion schedule.