Jefferson defeats Banks Co. for area dual title

Mat Dragons travel to Macon Friday

The first step for the Jefferson Mat Dragons is complete, as they picked up the 8-AA region duals champion title at East Jackson Saturday, edging Banks County, East Jackson and Dawson County.

Jefferson first defeated Dawson County in the semi-finals, and then defeated Banks County for the top honor.

Jefferson now prepares to move to Macon this weekend to try to add another state dual championship to their trophy case.

The Mat Dragons are number one seeds going into the state competition, and will begin on Friday by facing number 16 seed Monticello.

Coach Doug Thurmond said his team did well.

“We’re proud of them, and it set them up for the state tournament.”

The Mat Dragons earned the region duals champion title by defeating Oglethorpe County 81-6, Dawson County 72-6 and Banks County 57-15.

“It was a good thing leading into the state, but we know we have our hands full there. I’m kind of apprehensive and on pins and needles waiting on the weekend to get here,” he added.

Following the match with Monticello, Jefferson will face the winner of a pairing between Benedictine and Blessed Trinity.

“We’ll see what happens with those guys,” Thurmond said. “If we make it to the semis, we’ll probably catch either Sonoraville or Toombs County. We’ll have to see how it all pans out.”

Jefferson will be looking to add their eighth dual championship trophy to their trophy case, as well as their twentieth overall state title for the JHS wrestling program.