A powerhouse is what Jefferson is on the path of becoming. The Dragons ran away with the Class AA state football championship ending the season 14-1. This season, fans are waiting to see if the Dragons can repeat.
There have been some changes this season to the coaching staff, is former offensive line coach Ben Hall will be returning as the head coach. Even though it has gone through change, Hall is familiar with this team. He was the mastermind that drove the championship offensive line last season.
Jefferson will be returning seven starters on both sides of the ball.
“We started a good number of sophomores and juniors last year,” said Hall. “We have a good group of returning players. We have a solid senior class, a focused group who hope to maintain their winning ways. They don’t want to see a drop off this season. We are going to rely heavily on our returning starters and our senior class.”
The strength of this championship aspiring team is the offensive line and secondary. They have the majority of the returning starters in these two areas, and they seem very prepared for this season.
“Our strengths would have to be in our offensive line and our secondary. We have all the returning starters from our secondary, but we have to fill in spots in other places” said Hall.
“He [Tyler] is our best college prospect a great student and a solid player for the past three years” said Hall.
The Dragons have the core of their athletes coming back a year wiser and physically faster and stronger. The only pieces missing will be the new class of leaders when the season begins.
“We are constantly looking for leaders on the team. Our offensive line returns three senior starters that we are going to rely heavily upon on the offensive side of the ball and our tight end, Tristen Jackson, Donnie Hatfield, Tyler Bowen, Hanon Price and Tradd Porter have all been solid leaders through out the off season, summer practice and fall camp,” said Hall.
The Dragons will open the season against one of its biggest rivals, Commerce, on Aug. 30. Commerce was the only school to defeat the Dragons in the 2012 football season. This game potentially sets the tone for the rest of the season.
“We are preparing, but we are not going to approach this game any differently than any other. Obviously, they are our biggest rivals and we have played many years. This is a big game to the community, but it’s no different,” said Hall.
“There are more emotions initially in the game, but that wears off and bottom line you have to execute like any other game.”
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