The Dragons’ defense smothered Oconee County in a 42-6 second round win, propelling #1-ranked Jefferson (9-3) to the quarterfinals.
A defensive stalemate eventually caved on the game’s first score – which came on special teams. Oconee (7-5) barely got a punt off, and Dalton Dye reeled in the bouncing ball at the 45. He dodged some tackles and found a lane, and fought his way into the end zone for the TD and 7-0 lead in the closing seconds of the first.
In the first Jefferson drive of the second, Gavin Markey ripped off several big runs, then capped it off with a 4-yd keeper for the 14-0 lead. The Warriors had a solid drive going in response, but Jayden Yang forced a fumble, recovered by Darren Pinkard just outside the red zone. The Dragons took the 14-0 lead into the break.
The Warriors found life in the opening drive of the second half. Titus Watkins found James Holland on a big third down pass. Entering the red zone for the first time, the Warriors converted on a 17-yd TD from Watkins to Mason Hall. The extra point was blocked.
Jefferson wasted no time in responding as Markey hit Dye on a long pass to get inside the 10. He then kept for an 8-yd TD and the 21-6 lead, just over a minute following the Oconee score. Markey delivered again just before the end of the quarter on a 2-yd TD, padding the lead to a comfortable 28-6 margin.
Oconee County had the ball inside the red zone to open the final period, but the Dragons made a fourth down stop following a near TD catch by Hall, who had a foot outside the line.
Rett Hemphill, who had blocked the extra point earlier, notched a 14-yd TD run, then had a 36-yd pick six for the 42-6 Dragons lead to put the cherry on top.
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The Dragons advance to the Quarterfinals, where they will host Cherokee Bluff, whom they beat earlier this season.
