The numbers will show a big game by Jefferson QB, Deiondre Porter. Deservingly so, plenty of credit should be swung in his direction. He put the team on his back when it started to look bleak for Jefferson offensively. The senior quarterback fought his way through tackles, took big hits on the chin, got up and kept on fighting. The performance was gutsy to say the least. Anything he had, he left it on the field.

…Porter never tired, as he rushed the ball 23 times for 124 yards in the second half alone, and ultimately his two fourth-quarter TD runs were the difference. Chavez Pownell also had an excellent night for the Dragons, recording 84 receiving yards and 45 rushing yards while also helping to force 26 incompletions from Hale (10-36, 147 yards, TD). – BHSN

However, as good as Porter was, the defense was just one step better. The Dragon Big Blue defense allowed 17 points through the first two quarters and the first 2 minutes of the third quarter. Then, the light turned on and the stingy Dragon defense clamped down. When push literally became shove, the visiting team shoved back and just a bit harder. They forced Largo in to several short offensive possessions, creating great field position for the offense and giving Porter and his boys several opportunities to pull the score closer and ultimately take the lead 18-17 and win the game 25-17.

Round 2: Jefferson will travel to Armwood next week to take on district champion, Armwood. The Hawks defeated the Dragons earlier in the season. But, this game is for all the marbles. Win or go home.

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PROSPECTS

LARGO

Jacorrie Riley 2014 LB – Without starting middle linebacker, Frankie Hernandez the Packer defense had to be that much better. In the first half, it looked as though they would not miss a beat. Jacorrie Riley played his tail off. If there was a tackle to be made between the hashes, he was there. Made a few big hits that got a rise out of the crowd on both sides of the field. As the game grew long, the Packers started to wear down, due to so many two-way players on the field for so many snaps. However, Riley kept coming and kept playing. The Dragon offense felt his presence.

Raheem Harvey 2014 WR – From the very first offensive series for Largo, the Packers made it clear that they felt they had an advantage with Harvey versus the Jefferson corners. In their first two offensive possessions, Donovan Hale targeted Harvey 5 times. He made two incredible catches on the sideline, but was slightly out of bounds. Harvey showed excellent concentration, hands and route running. Early in the second half, he would get in the end zone after freezing the corner back on an out-and-up and muscling the ball away, dragging the defender to the end zone.

JEFFERSON

Ashante Dennard 2015 OLB – 6-2/205, looks the part and sure did have a great game. The defensive surge by Jefferson started with the front 7. The defensive line got angry and the linebackers played in a frenzy; Starting with Ashante Dennard. A few punishing hits at the same time playing sideline to sideline. Jefferson is a blitz heavy defense. Someone is coming every snap from somewhere. Because of this, Dennard made quite a few plays behind the line of scrimmage. But when he was not hitting the gap, blitzing…he was sound taking on blocks, shedding blockers and getting to the ball.

Chavez Pownell 2014 ATH – Pownell is no longer just a cover corner, he has now moved to “ATH” status. When a play needed to be made, Pownell was the guy. When Raheem Harvey needed to be covered, the Dragons sicked Pownell on him. When Jefferson needed to move the ball through the air, Porter got the ball in the hands on Pownell. When the Dragons needed a special teams spark, Pownell provided it. Complete game for the senior Dragon