JEFFERSON DRAGONS
HEAD COACH: JEREMY EARLE
6A-8 DISTRICT: Armwood, Hillsborough, King, Leto, Sickles, Strawberry Crest
2011 RECORD:
District 4-2
Overall 6-4
Points scored 298
Points allowed 221
FROM 1ST GLANCE
Jefferson is scary talented. The bulk of their talent is at the skilled positions, yet he Dragons do have a good high school sized offensive line that showed some athleticism. Running backs Shaquille Speights and Trevor Register are a good combo, while FB Reno Harrington will do much of the dirty work. Exciting feel at practice from players and coaches. Players were popping around, lots of smiles on faces and coaches challenged the team.
WAITED THEIR TURN
Chris Moore, Andre Davis, Jackson, Booth and Jenkins…names sound familiar? They should; they are former talented Dragon receivers that contributed to much of the on field success over the past few seasons. With those guys making plays, it’s tough for some of the other talent to see the field. The path is clear now and new cleats line up on the perimeter for the Dragons and can be just as good as the ones before them.
Michael Tiller, 2013 WR/DB – Very explosive, playmaking ability and great hands. 6-1/198lbs and has 4.4sec 40 yard dash speed.
Tanelious Walton, 2013 WR/DB – Never heard his name? Get to know it. This Dragon has “Sleeper” written all over him. At 6-2/195lbs, Walton or “T Walt” has size and skill. Catches the ball well and has good balance.
FACTORS
Bernard Pendleton, 2013 WR/S – Jesuit transfer that could be a D1 safety (6-4/170)
Kei’Vonte Turke, 2013 S – Big Hitter
Aaron Jenkins, 2013 WR/S – Did not practice
Jonathan Moore, 2013 WR – Did not practice
Christian Torres, 2013 OL – Big body and agile
Dezrick Ingram, 2013 LB – Heart of the defense
Reno Harrington, 2013 LB – Solid football player
Robert Potugues, 2013 LB/DL – Really good high school football player
STRENGTH
The Dragons will be strong at the receiver position. The playmakers are there, yet the QB will make the Dragons GO! Deiondre Porter will return from a sophomore season posting 1900 yards and 17 TDs. He will need to fight off Tyler Smalls for the starting job during the summer months, but experience and success from last season is immeasurable. Porter is very mobile and explosive, showing his versatility competing at a high level for the Jefferson track and field team. Porter can escape rushers and make things happens when a play does breakdown.
WEAKNESS
No glaring weakness. But, the offensive line will need to gel and gel fast. In a district with little room for error, the Dragon offensive front 5 will need to progressively improve each week. The QBs can wing it and the RBs can run it. Can the offensive line pave the way in the run game and pass protect when it is time to put the ball in the air?
ELM STREET
The youth of the Jefferson Dragons is almost scary. At least five rising juniors will be starters in the fall and another handful of rising juniors will see significant playing time.
Juwuan Brown, 2014 LB/TE – Did not practice yesterday due to a minor injury.
Geno Harrington, 2014 DT – 6-1/285lbs is going to be a force on the inside for the aggressive Dragon defense. Lower and upper body strength, quick feet and active hands.
Derrick Ingram, 2014 WR – BCS players. Skillful, fast, talented and great attitude. 6-1/185lbs playmaker.
Chavez Pownell, 2014 CB/WR – Excellent footwork and ball skills. Lots of wiggle.
IN THE FUTURE
Kyle Walker, 2014 S/RB – Should see plenty of game action this season as defensive coaches are high on his ability.
Jeremiah Baltrip, 2015, CB – Big kid and all the tools are there to be a great player.
Crandell Pimienta, 2014 DE – 6-2/180, a young Tyriq McCord. We know how that story played out.