FRIDAY NIGHT SCOUTING REPORTS: Jefferson, Jackson County

Jefferson vs. Dawson Co.

•Who: Dawson Co. Tigers (0-2) @ Jefferson Dragons(1-1)

•When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.


•Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson

•What: Region 8-AA cross-over game: Dawson Co. plays in the north subregion, while Jefferson plays in the south. This game could be used as a tie-breaker if needed in the subregion standings at year’s end.

•Last week: North Hall 24, Jefferson 21; Gilmer 35, Dawson Co. 0

•Dawson County’s coach: Jeff Lee (eighth season at Dawson Co., 20th overall, 81-117 overall record)

•Dawson County’s key players: Lee Smith (Jr. LB), Ethan Brown (Sr., QB/FS), Ian Perry (Sr., RB), Zach Johnson (Sr. OL/DL).

•Dawson’s County’s X’s and O’s: Dawson County operates out of a 3-3-5 or a 3-4 defensively. The Tigers dabble in a little bit of everything offensively — from the Wing-T, to the double slot, to the spread.

•What else: Jefferson finally returns home. The Dragons played their scrimmage on the road (Lumpkin County) and their first two regular season games (Commerce and North Hall). Jefferson coach T. McFerrin said it will be nice to play in front of the home folks.
“Yeah, you’ve got more time to prepare, more time for your walk through, you’re not quite as rushed,” McFerrin said. “Plus, you get a big crowd, so it’s nice to be at home.”

Jackson County vs. Fannin Co.

•Who: Jackson County Panthers (2-0) @ Fannin County Rebels (1-1)

•When: Friday, 7:30 p.m


•Where: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge

•What: Region cross-over game: Fannin County plays in the 8-AA North subregion and Jackson County plays in the south. This game could be used as a tie-breaker if needed in the subregion standings at year’s end.

•Last week: Jackson County 21, Walnut Grove 3; Pickens County 14, Fannin Co. 10

•Fannin County’s coach: Clarke Drennan (seventh season, 39-25)

•Fannin County’s key players: Lukas Garren (Sr., DE), D.J. Kolacz (Sr., DE), Jamey Taylor (Sr., RB), John Kenser (Sr., OL/DL), A.J. Resendiz (Jr., OL/DL), Travis Thigpen (Jr., OL/DL), Brian Thomas (Sr., DB), Blake Henry (Jr., RB/LB)

•Fannin County’s X’s and O’s: Multiple on offense. The Rebels have shown everything from the spread to the wishbone to the power I this year.

•What else?: After winning just nine games from 2000 to 2008, Jackson County is 6-6 over its last 12 games. The Panthers are shooting for their second consecutive 3-0 start ... Fannin County comes into this game with a 32-12 record since 2006 ... Fannin County has an astroturf playing surface.