Jefferson coming off 8 – 4 season, state play–off team

By Alvin Richardson
Staff

The Morgan County Bulldogs open the 2008 season’s action with a scrimmage against the Jefferson Dragons on the road.  Jefferson is coming off an 8-4 season that saw them reach the second round of the state playoffs.  Their key wins of 2007 were against Bremen and Commerce during the regular season and a first round playoff win against Bowdon. 
   

Head Coach Bill Malone talked about some of the positive things he has seen in the Bulldogs’ pre-season practices.  “I’ve really been pleased to see so much interest from parents and fans.  We are seeing lots of people come to practice to watch us work out and that means a lot to our coaches and players.” 

He also went on to say, “I hope that everyone will make the trips to Jefferson and of course to the Mary Persons game the following week.  Good community support is that one intangible that cannot be replaced.”
   

The Dragons historically have a solid program and boast a record of 351-257-22 won lost record since 1948. 
   

Morgan County and Jefferson have met 17 times over that stretch with the Bulldogs leading the all time series 11-4-2.  Jefferson is coached by Bill Navas and he begins his seventh campaign as head coach at the Jackson County school.  His record over that span in 38-29-1 with six straight trips to post-season play included.
   

As you might expect, the scouting report for the Dragons is sketchy but what the Morgan County coaching staff expects is a stunting, slanting defense that has at least one or two people on the move each snap.  The Dogs have been working their offensive line to be able to pick those stunts up.  The Jefferson offense will probably be of the spread / shotgun variety with multiple receivers and a single setback on most plays.  They also expect good execution from their opponents as Coach Navas is well known for fielding teams that play sharp football.
   

The Bulldogs will start with Terence Harper at quarterback but will, during the course of the game, move him around to receiver and running back and insert sophomore J.D. Hawkins at quarterback.  Offensive coordinator John Robbins will be especially curious about how his tight ends can handle blocking assignments and how effective their running backs are in the scrimmage.
   

On the defensive side, defensive coordinator Clint Jenkins will be intently watching the play of his interior defensive lineman.  He wants to be sure they can effectively play against traps and not get caught too far up field and out of the play. 
   

Coach Jenkins will also be evaluating if he has the right mix at inside linebacker positions as some new faces move into those all important spots.