Kickoff Classic: Jefferson vs. Tampa Bay Tech @ Armwood
Offensive Advantage
Quarterback
Jefferson: Deiondre Porter returning from a 1900 yards season in 2011. Porter gives the Dragons the deep ball threat and running ability. He is super mobile and can create plays with his legs, buying time and completing passes while moving out the pocket.
Running Backs
Tie: Shaq Speights vs. Deon Thompson. There will be other great running back battles this season, but this match up is one of the best. Jefferson’s Speights is a bruising back who looks for contact. The Titan RB, Deon Thompson is one of the best in Tampa Bay, shifty and quick. Just because Thompson is ranked as a top back, doesn’t mean he will be the best on the field tonight. Trevor Register (Jefferson) and JT Thompkins (TBT) both provide each team with a really good “one two” punch.
Receivers
Jefferson: The Titans make a very strong argument with Richard Benjamin and Donzel Polite. Both primed for a really good year. However, Jefferson’s Jonathan Moore, Derrick Ingram, Ventell Bryant, Michael Tiller and Aaron Jenkins are one of the strongest groups of receivers in the Bay Area. Moore is likely to become “The Guy” this season with Ingram as a rising star. Jenkins needs this to be a breakout year and Tiller and Bryant, solid role players.
Offensive Line
Tie: TBT returns the majority of the 9-3 offensive line from one year ago. Jefferson returns 4 of 5 from a 6-4 rebuilt line from a year ago. Both should be very good this year.
Defensive Advantage
Defensive Backs
Tie: No Big names in the secondary YET for either school. Both still very good and athletic. Ricky Pyron, Jimmie Warren, Tyjee Fullwood and mix in Richard Benjamin give TBT a solid group. Kei’vontae Turk, Edmund Willis and Chavez Pownell provide Jefferson with play-making ability on the back end. Fullwood and Pownell are expected to have big seasons this year as Fullwood is making the transition from QB to CB and Pownell getting his first chance as a starter.
Line Backers
TBT: Kenny Siplin, Fred Russ and Jalen Woodal are a very underrated group capable of causing a lot of trouble for offensive units. Both Siplin and Russ lived in the backfield last season, harassing RBs and QBs. Woodal will be a great addition for this unit. Strapping ball player that can play sideline to sideline.
Defensive Line
TBT: Jefferson has a young promising defensive front behind Geno Harrington. TBT is more seasoned and slightly bigger and just as athletic. Antonio Guerad, Justin Edwards, Micah Tucker and Rashawn Washington are a fast and athletic group. If they can shoot gaps and penetrate the Jefferson offensive line, it could be a long night for the Jefferson QBs.