Dragon Sports Network

Jefferson football names Oconee County's Travis Noland as head coach Shortly after notifying Oconee County's football team that he was stepping down, Travis Noland was hired as Jefferson's next head coach.

2021 GHSF Daily All-State Team:

CLASS 4A

Offensive player of the year:
Holden Geriner, Benedictine
Defensive player of the year:
Mykel Williams, Hardaway
Coach of the year:
Danny Britt, Benedictine

Offense
QB - Holden Geriner, Benedictine, 6-4, 215, Sr.
RB - Jaiden Credle, Carver-Columbus, 6-1, 180, Sr.
RB - Justin Thomas, Benedictine, 5-11, 180, Sr.
WR - Ray Morrison, NW Whitfield, 6-2, 185, Sr.
WR - Za’Quan Bryan, Benedictine, 5-11, 175, Jr.
TE - Daequan Wright, Perry, 6-4, 225, Sr.
OL - Donovan Haslam, Perry, 6-4, 300, Sr.
OL - Ashton Jackson, Jenkins, 6-4, 330, Sr.
OL - Jycel Mosley, LaGrange, 6-1, 305, So.
OL - Steven Nahmias, Marist, 6-3, 280, Sr.
OL - Elijah Pritchett, Carver-Columbus, 6-6, 280, Sr.
ATH/QB - Kameron Davis, Dougherty, 5-11, 205, So.
PK - Bridger Jones, Columbus, 5-10, 180, Sr.

Defense
DL - Qua Birdsong, Troup, 6-2, 205, So.
DL - Gabe Harris, Thomas Co. Central, 6-5, 245, Jr.
DL - Andrew Mannelly, Marist, 6-1, 200, Sr.
DL - Mykel Williams, Hardaway, 6-6, 265, Sr.
LB - Kadin Bailey, Jefferson, 6-2, 200, Sr.
LB - Gary Davis, Cairo, 6-0, 205, Sr.
LB - Holden Sapp, Benedictine, 6-2, 226, Sr.
LB - C.J. Washington, Cedartown, 6-2, 225, Sr.
DB - Khalil Barnes, North Oconee, 6-1, 185, Jr.
DB - Deyon Bouie, Bainbridge, 6-0, 180, Sr.
DB - Jack Fabris, North Oconee, 6-2, 185, Jr.
DB - Quantaves Gaskins, Hapeville, 6-1, 190, Sr.
P - Ripp Perez, Marist, 6-0, 190, Jr.

Honorable mention
DB Antonio Watts, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
DB Michael Merriweather, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
DB Elijah West, Dougherty, Sr.
DB Senquavious Alsobrooks, Spalding, Sr.
DB/QB Malaki Starks, Jefferson, Sr.
DL Cameron Crowell, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
DL Darron Reed, Carver-Columbus, Jr.
DL Jai Barnes, Cedartown, Sr.
DL Stantavious Smith, Dougherty, Jr.
DL Ryan Phelan, Marist, Sr.
DL/LB Omarion Knight, Baldwin, Sr.
DL Isaiah Mitchell, Luella, Sr.
LB Ian Hackney, Riverdale, Sr.
OL Anthony Suttles, Dougherty, Sr.
OL Kam Bing, New Hampstead, Sr.
OL Jacob Klein, Ridgeland, Sr.
QB Devin Riles, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
QB David Renard, Flowery Branch, Sr.
QB Armar Gordon, Perry, Jr.
RB Robert Edwards, Columbus, Sr.
RB Jayden Brown, Miller Grove, Sr.
RB Dominic Elder, North Oconee, Jr.
RB Nazir Berry, Spalding, Sr.
RB/LB Sammy Brown, Jefferson, So.
TE Kaden Sonnabend, New Hampstead, Sr.

18 former football Dragons playing college football: Isaiah Blake (Reinhardt), Caleb Chandler (Louisville), Colby Clark (Harding), Paxton Corkery (East Tennessee State), Colton Dufresne (Cumberland-Tenn.), Nick Evans (Albany State), Logan Garner (Reinhardt), Seth Glausier (Georgia State), Hunter Griffith (Reinhardt), Aaron Hall (Assumption), Hayden Kilgore (Wingate), Kade McNally (Harding), Bryce Moore (Tusculum), Garmon Randolph (Baylor), Tyler Roberts (Coastal Carolina), Colton Steele (Kennesaw State), Mason Ware (Sewanee), Dontae Wilson (Georgia State)

FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF PAIRINGS:

Class 4A
(Friday games unless noted)
(R1 #3) Dougherty at (R3 #2) Jenkins
(R7 #4) Central-Carrollton at (R5 #1) Riverdale
(R6 #3) Hapeville Charter at (R8 #2) JEFFERSON
(R4 #4) West Laurens at (R2 #1) Carver-Columbus
(R3 #3) New Hampstead at (R1 #2) Cairo
(R5 #4) Hampton at (R7 #1) Cedartown
(R8 #3) Flowery Branch at (R6 #2) Mays
(R2 #4) Hardaway at (R4 #1) Perry
(R2 #3) LaGrange at (R4 #2) Baldwin
(R8 #4) Cedar Shoals at (R6 #1) Marist
(R7 #3) Heritage-Ringgold at (R5 #2) Luella
(R1 #4) Thomas County Central at (R3 #1) Benedictine
(R4 #3) Spalding at (R2 #2) Troup (Thursday)
(R6 #4) Miller Grove at (R8 #1) North Oconee
(R5 #3) Fayette County at (R7 #2) Northwest Whitfield
(R3 #4) Islands at (R1 #1) Bainbridge

Class 4A
1. (1) Marist (8-1)
Last week: Beat Mays 56-21. Next: Friday vs. Cedar Shoals (3-6)
2. (2) Benedictine (8-2)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Thomas County Central (5-5)
3. (3) Carver-Columbus (9-1)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. West Laurens (5-5)
4. (4) Cedartown (8-1)
Last week: Beat Heritage-Ringgold 55-0. Next: Friday vs. Hampton (3-5)
5. (5) North Oconee (7-3)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Miller Grove (6-4)
6. (6) Jefferson (9-1)
Last week: Beat Madison County 49-7. Jefferson led 42-0 at halftime and held Madison County to 18 total yards and two first downs. QB/DB Malaki Starks scored three touchdowns, one on an interception return. Jefferson LB Kadin Bailey had eight tackles, two tackles for losses and two sacks and scored on a 50-yard run in a 49-7 victory over Madison County. Next: Friday vs. Hapeville Charter (5-5)
7. (9) Perry (9-1)
Last week: Beat Baldwin 40-8. Next: Friday vs. Hardaway (6-4)
8. (8) Spalding (7-2)
Last week: Beat Howard 27-6. Next: Thursday at Troup (8-2)
9. (10) Riverdale (8-0-1)
Last week: Beat Luella 14-7. Next: Friday vs. Central-Carrollton (5-5)
10. (NR) Bainbridge (7-3)
Last week: Beat Monroe 45-6. Next: Friday vs. Islands (4-5)
Out: No. 7 Baldwin (6-3)

Region 8
North Oconee*******6-0**7-3
Jefferson**********5-1**9-1
Flowery Branch*****4-2**7-3
Cedar Shoals*******3-3**3-6
Madison County*****2-4**5-5
Chestatee**********1-5**3-7
East Hall**********0-6**1-9

Points scored
Here are the top 10 teams in 4A ranked by points scored per game.

Class 4A
49.0 - Benedictine
38.9 - New Hampstead
38.0 - LaGrange
37.9 - Carver (Columbus)
35.9 - Marist
35.7 - Jefferson
35.6 - Riverdale
35.0 - Perry
34.9 - Dougherty
34.0 - Northwest Whitfield

Points allowed
Here are the top 10 teams in 4A ranked by points allowed per game.

Class 4A
6.5 - Riverdale
8.3 - Jefferson
9.6 - Cedartown
9.9 - Perry
10.6 - Carver (Columbus)
10.9 - Marist
13.4 - Luella
14.5 - Cairo
16.0 - Pickens
16.1 - Fayette County

Class 4A
1. (2) Marist (7-1)
Last week: Beat Miller Grove 33-0. Next: Friday vs. Mays (3-5)
2. (3) Benedictine (8-2)
Last week: Beat Islands 58-13. Next: Playoffs
3. (4) Carver-Columbus (9-1)
Last week: Beat Hardaway 38-7. Jaiden Credle rushed for 165 yards, and Carver held Hardaway to 120 total yards. Next: Playoffs
4. (5) Cedartown (7-1)
Last week: Beat Central-Carrollton 34-7. Next: Friday vs. Heritage-Ringgold (6-2)
5. (9) North Oconee (7-3)
Last week: Beat Jefferson 11-6. Dominic Elder rushed for 67 yards and scored on a 2-yard run for an 11-0 lead in the first half. North Oconee scored on two safeties, one after a blocked punt, and held Jefferson to 134 total yards. Next: Playoffs
6. (1) Jefferson (8-1)
Last week: Lost to North Oconee 11-6. Tre Reece rushed for 124 yards on 10 carries, but Jefferson’s offense was futile otherwise. Star RB Sammy Brown did not play, and QB Malaki Starks, returning from injury, was held to 12 yards rushing and 1-for-8 passing. Next: Friday vs. Madison County (5-4)
7. (6) Baldwin (6-2)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Perry (8-1)
8. (7) Spalding (6-2)
Last week: Beat Westside-Macon 48-13. Next: Thursday vs. Howard (3-6)
9. (8) Perry (8-1)
Last week: Beat Howard 35-0. Next: Friday at Baldwin (6-2)
10. (10) Riverdale (7-0-1)
Last week: Beat McDonough 42-0. Next: Friday vs. Luella (7-2)

Region 8
North Oconee*******6-0**7-3
Jefferson**********4-1**8-1
Flowery Branch*****3-2**6-3
Madison County*****2-3**5-4
Cedar Shoals*******2-3**2-6
Chestatee**********1-4**3-6
East Hall**********0-5**1-8

Points allowed
These are the top 10 teams in 4A ranked on points allowed per game.

Class 4A
7.4 - Riverdale
8.0 - JEFFERSON
10.0 - Cedartown
11.0 - Carver (Columbus)
11.1 - Perry
12.4 - Marist
13.6 - Cairo
14.1 - Thomas County Central
14.1 - Miller Grove
14.4 - Luella

North Oconee at Jefferson

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Records, rankings: North Oconee is 6-3 overall, 5-0 in Region 8-4A and No. 9; Jefferson is 8-0, 4-0 and No. 1.
Last meeting: Jefferson won 44-0 in 2017.
Things to know: The winner will be the region champion. Jefferson has won consecutive region titles, 15 straight region games and 16 straight home games. The 2020 game between these two was canceled because of COVID. This season, Jefferson ranks fourth in Class 4A scoring (39.4 ppg) and second in points allowed (8.0). North Oconee’s average score is 31-18 against a slightly tougher schedule, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Jefferson is averaging 337 yards rushing per game at 7.9 yards per carry while completing only nine passes. Jefferson preseason all-state players RB/LB Sammy Brown (753 yards rushing, 13.0 ypc) and QB/DB Malaki Starks missed last week’s game. Starks, a Georgia commit, will return, but Brown remains out. North Oconee started 1-3 with losses to three ranked teams. Max Wilson has been hot during the five-game winning streak, going 18-of-18 passing vs. Chestatee and 13-of-14 vs. Cedar Shoals. Khalil Barnes has two 100-yard receiving games. Dominic Elder has rushed for 885 yards. North Oconee last won a region title in 2012.

Class 4A
1. (1) Jefferson (8-0)
Last week: Beat Chestatee 41-7. Jefferson led 34-0 in the first quarter and held Chestatee to minus-2 yards rushing. Jordan Perry had 87 of Jefferson’s 345 rushing yards. Jefferson played without Malaki Starks and Sammy Brown. Next: Friday vs. North Oconee (6-3)
2. (2) Marist (6-1)
Last week: Beat Stephenson 64-12. Next: Friday at Miller Grove (6-2)
3. (3) Benedictine (7-2)
Last week: Beat New Hampstead 70-28. Next: Friday vs. Islands (4-4)
4. (4) Carver-Columbus (8-1)
Last week: Beat Columbus 60-6. Next: Thursday vs. Hardaway (6-2)
5. (5) Cedartown (6-1)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Central-Carrollton (4-4)
6. (9) Baldwin (6-2)
Last week: Beat Spalding 27-14. Next: Nov. 5 vs. Perry (7-1)
7. (6) Spalding (5-2)
Last week: Lost to Baldwin 27-14. Next: Friday at Westside-Macon (4-4)
8. (7) Perry (7-1)
Last week: Beat Westside-Macon 45-0. Next: Friday vs. Howard (3-5)
9. (10) North Oconee (6-3)
Last week: Beat Cedar Shoals 42-7. Next: Friday at Jefferson (8-0)
10. (NR) Riverdale (6-0-1)
Last week: Beat Hampton 56-10. Next: Friday at McDonough (4-4)
Out: No. 8 Thomas County Central (5-3)

Region 8
North Oconee*******5-0**6-3
Jefferson**********4-0**8-0
Flowery Branch*****2-2**5-3
Cedar Shoals*******2-3**2-5
Madison County*****1-3**4-4
Chestatee**********1-3**3-5
East Hall**********0-4**1-7

Points allowed
These are the top 10 teams in each classification ranked on points allowed per game.

Class 4A
7.0 - Riverdale
8.1 - Jefferson
10.0 - Cedartown
11.7 - Carver (Columbus)
12.5 - Marist
12.7 - Perry
13.2 - Miller Grove
13.7 - Cairo
14.1 - Thomas County Central
14.4 - Luella

Class 4A
1. (1) Jefferson (7-0)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Chestatee (3-4)
2. (2) Marist (5-1)
Last week: Beat Arabia Mountain 38-0. Next: Friday at Stephenson (5-2)
3. (3) Benedictine (6-2)
Last week: Beat South Effingham 56-7. Next: Friday vs. New Hampstead (7-1)
4. (4) Carver-Columbus (7-1)
Last week: Beat Troup 36-0. Next: Thursday at Columbus (2-5)
5. (5) Cedartown (6-1)
Last week: Beat Ridgeland 50-6. Next: Oct. 29 at Central-Carrollton (4-4)
6. (6) Spalding (5-1)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Baldwin (5-2)
7. (7) Perry (6-1)
Last week: Beat West Laurens 32-0. Next: Friday vs. Westside-Macon (4-3)
8. (8) Thomas County Central (5-2)
Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Cairo (3-3)
9. (9) Baldwin (5-2)
Last week: Beat Howard 20-7. Next: Friday vs. Spalding (5-1)
10. (10) North Oconee (5-3)
Last week: Beat East Hall 56-0. Next: Friday vs. Cedar Shoals (2-4)