Although the names of the two teams playing may have been premier, it didn’t exactly correlate with premier performances by any means. In what was supposed to be a bit more of a lopsided affair at Sam Horton Stadium, the scoreboard still read in favor of  the team expected to win. It didn’t exactly go according to plan on Friday, but a win-is-a-win and that’s about all you can say as the Hawks grinded out a 20-0 victory over a resilient Jefferson team that was not intimidated in the least nor backing down until the clock hit zeros.

Armwood’s Alvin Bailey and Matt Jones combined for 263 of Armwood’s 385 yards total offense although 271 of those didn’t come until the second half. It was a game of missed opportunities on both sides of the field, and mistakes that normally don’t get made were in abundance. The Dragons only trailed Armwood 6-0 at Halftime and had to be feeling good about the situation having held RB Matt Jones to just 11 yards on 8 carries and a fumble. It appeared that Head Coach Jeremy Earle and his staff had drawn up the right scheme to possibly pull off what some called the impossible.

It looked like it was going to be a very long night for the J-Boys when they went 3 & out to start the game; then watched Armwood go 60 yards in 3 plays highlighted by a 49yd catch and run by Bailey to set up a Jones 6yd run for the quick 6-0 lead. The Dragons couldn’t make the Hawks pay for an early Jones fumble who is still trying to get himself back into playing shape following his knee injury. The teams exchanged punts and Jefferson began to move the ball until Eric Striker stepped in front of a Deiondre Porter pass and stalled the Dragons drive at the Armwood 17.

The Dragons got the ball back with plenty of time and Porter hit Tyriq McCord in the flat for a 28yd gain down to the Hawks 18. On the ensuing play from scrimmage, Porter fumbled and yet again Jefferson was forced to settle for nothing when they were showing signs of moving the ball on the vaunted Armwood Defense. The Dragons were also harassing Armwood’s QB Darryl Richardson who was returning from injury himself. Richardson finished the 1st half completing on 5 passes on 11 attempts for 96 yards in which 81 of those came on 2 plays.

There was an air of uneasiness during the intermission and some around the stadium appeared as though they were in complete disbelief looking at just six points total through 24 minutes of play. All of that changed however when Matt Jones reminded those around him why he’s considered one of the best RB’s in the nation when he scampered outside and down the AHS sideline for 53 yards. Less than two minutes into the 3rd, Jones had added his 2nd TD of the night from 1yd out to make the score 13-0.

From that point until just over 9:00 minutes in the 4th, it was a game featuring the two punters as each other’s offense sputtered like they had bananas in the tailpipes. The Hawks only other scoring chance came when they attempted a FG in which Tyriq McCord literally soared above the line and blocked the try. The heralded senior DE was doing his best to fire up the crowd and it was working. The 3rd Quarter remained scoreless until the Armwood Offense woke up long enough to essentially ice the game just after the last period began.

With just over 9 minutes left in the game, Bailey rushed around the right side sprung by an exceptional block by fellow WR Javonte Sneed, turned on the jets and flew down the sideline for 88 yards.  It was at that moment you could feel the wind let out of the Dragons sails. Jefferson could only muster 163 yards of total offense and from standing on the sidelines you could sense the momentum completely gone. Minutes later Deiondre Porter threw his 2nd INT of the night and conventional wisdom said the Hawks would go to the ground and pound strategy. Instead, they went vertical twice then Jones fumbled to give Jefferson their last glimmer of hope.

After the game, the University of Florida Commit looked relieved to have gotten through the night without any major issues. “Jefferson’s got a pretty good defense. I was just trying to get back in the groove against some real competition. I started out slow in the 1st half. The 2nd half I came back with a bang and was able to make some plays and put my team in a position to put points on the board.” Jones finished the night with 17 carries for 85 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 fumbles lost. He will certainly look to correct some of the mistakes that plagued him this evening.

Alvin Bailey finished with 3 carries for 116 yards and a TD, and also caught 2 passes for 56 yards. The 6-1, 170 Jr was quite confident after the game that the mistakes that plagued the Hawks tonight can be fixed and was also in assurance that the only enemy of Armwood at the moment is Armwood. Bailey, who is an extremely charismatic and well-spoken kid respectfully said, “We are the only ones that can beat us. We showed Coach Cal (Sean Callahan) how mental mistakes can beat us up, but when everybody’s on their p’s and q’s can’t nobody stop us and I really feel like that. I mean no disrespect to anybody. That’s just how I feel.”

Jefferson (1-3, 0-1) must now regroup in time for bitter rival Hillsborough making a visit to Carver City next Thursday. Armwood (4-0, 1-0) will travel to one of the biggest surprises in the county when the face Sickles who is still undefeated after tonight’s win over Brandon.  MORE PLUS VIDEO HERE