The game had the hype, the media coverage, the players, the fans, the emotion and at the end of the night it had a winner. #1 Armwood defeated #4 Jefferson last night 28-9. The Dragons threw the first punch, but the knockout blow never came. Round 1 and 2, belonged to the home team. After that, the favorite in the match up landed some big blows and capitalized on costly Dragon mistakes. Below are reasons why Armwood won this game and why Jefferson should not be discouraged.
1 PENALTIES
Jefferson’s first two drives, were just how they drew them up. A few short passes, enough run plays to keep the defense honest and a lot of Deiondre Porter using his athletic ability. They worked! Matter of fact they worked and they got help from Armwood who committed costly penalties on both Jefferson scoring drives. Then the tide turned, when the momentum shifted to Armwood’s side of the field, the yellow flags started being thrown towards the Jefferson side of the field. A few holding calls, chop blocks, encroachment and other penalties nullified Dragon scoring opportunities and allowed the Armwood defense to pin their ears back and get after the ball carriers.
2 SPECIAL TEAMS
When talent clashes, special teams becomes a big factor. Jefferson does not have a true kicker who can consistently boom touchbacks. Armwood does. Sterling Hoffrichter (BCP Boot Camp Kicking Showcase Champion) was knocking them through the end zone all night. Armwood won the field position battle because of Sterling’s leg and lack-there-of from Jefferson’s kicker. As we stated in our preview on Friday, Armwood senior, Talvin Bailey would have a big impact. Scored Armwood’s first TD at the end of the first half (making the score 9-7 Jefferson) and then opened the second half up with a 95 yard kick off return for a touchdown. At that point, it felt like the air left the Jefferson stands.
3 DEFENSE
Once the Hawks took the lead in the second half, the visiting team started to feel themselves (confidence grew) a little. The Hawks defense started to flex their muscle and take over the game. Jefferson QB, Deiondre Porter did not have time to sit in the pocket and go through his progressions. He was running out the pocket every other snap due to the pressure the Armwood pass rush was applying.
4 ATTITUDE
Down 9-0 and players making selfish and costly penalties/mistakes, Armwood head coach, Sean Callahan called time out, directed his whole team off the sideline and on the field and “let them have it (Verbalized his disappointment in their play)!” The players got the point, lifted their chin from chest and got after it. Their body language resembled that of a winner and you could feel that Hawks had a solution for the problem.
5 PASSING GAME
Neither team really got their passing game going. Jefferson was trying to hit the home run, but a few overthrown, dropped or a penalties prevented the big play. Both defensive front seven (DL and LBs) applied a wicked pass rush. QB Noah Johnson (Armwood) had a hard time vs. the Dragon rush and QB Deiondre Porter (Jefferson) could never get settled.
6 CONTAIN
Early in the ball game, Jefferson had success with designed runs for their QB and scrambles. Late in the ball game, Armwood had the same success. Jefferson could not get their running game going and Armwood chipped away at the interior of the Dragon defense.
7 DROPPED BALLS
Typical of a Jefferson offense, the Dragons took their shots, trying to make the “Splash play.” Head Coach and offensive play caller, Jeremy Earle dialed up some deep balls to try and spark the offense, spark the crowd and gain momentum. A few balls were overthrown but a number of them were dropped. Porter gave his receivers enough chances to make a play and it never happened. A few times, he forced the ball into coverage believing his guys would come down with the catch and not the defender.
8 THE MOMENT
These two teams will meet again, we hope in the second round of the state playoffs. If this happens, the Dragons can not afford the yellow laundry and dropped balls. They have to be better on the ground with more than Deiondre Porter and the defense must keep Noah Johnson in the pocket to give themselves a chance to win.