East Jackson to host Dawson County Fri. night

If the 7-1 North Oconee Titans had expected to pick up an easy win Friday night, they had a big surprise awaiting them when they hit the field.

A stout East Jackson defense stood in the Titans’ way, making them fight for every yard, and setting up what could have been one of the biggest upsets in the region.

Only a field goal in the first quarter gave North Oconee slight breathing room, and that nearly didn’t happen, as the 33-yard kick hit the crossbar of the goalpost, but managed to make it through.

Meanwhile East Jackson found its offense mired in place as well, and North Oconee squeaked out a 3-0 win.

Now the Eagles look towards their next opponent, and another opportunity to get themselves another check in the win column, as they play host to the Tigers of Dawson County on Friday.

Dawson County enters Friday night with a 2-5 region record, and 3-5 overall. It is fresh off of a 17-14 win over Union County, and hopes to bring that momentum into East Jackson.

Side by side, Dawson County does have a slight advantage. The Tigers have scored a total of 139 points this season to East Jackson’s 115, a 17.4 per game advantage to a 14.4.

Dawson has also allowed fewer points, 172 to the Eagles’ 199.

But if anything has been learned from Friday night, it’s that East Jackson can turn up the wick on its game, and bring added intensity when it needs to.

Kickoff Friday night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

For more on this story, read Wednesday's edition of The Commerce News or The Jackson Herald.