GAINESVILLE -- North Hall knew it faced a difficult situation in its season opener.<br />
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And Jefferson wasn't about to make it any easier.<br />
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Fielding 21 new starters in their first game of the season, the Trojans watched the Dragons -- in their third game of the campaign -- explode for 28 first quarter points en route to a 48-8 victory on Friday at The Brickyard in Gainesville.<br />
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"We wanted to come out and jump on them early, and I think that worked," Jefferson quarterback Evan Shirreffs said. "Those first couple of series got in their heads for a second there."<br />
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The fifth-ranked Dragons (3-0) kept North Hall's new starters chasing shadows through the first 12 minutes -- thanks in large part to Shirreffs and a receiving corps that riddled the Trojans for 158 yards and two scores in the first quarter. Shirreffs finished the game completing 11 of 14 passes for 263 yards and three TDs -- all three to TJ Skelton, who had three catches for 130 yards, all coming in the first half.<br />
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"We liked our match-ups in the passing game," Dragons coach Ben Hall said. "We really had kept it on the ground for the first two games to help establish the offensive line, because we had a lot of new guys there. But we wanted to air it out tonight."<br />
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Jefferson's run game still proved strong on Friday, rolling up 169 yards on the ground. But the Dragons signaled their intentions on the opening play from scrimmage as Hunter Gatlin hauled in a short pass and rumbled 34 yards. Five plays later Colby Wood (87 yards rushing, 2 TDs) bulled into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 9:35 left in the first.<br />
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The Dragons owned the air throughout the night -- on both sides of the ball. Kendrick Robinson picked off three passes during the game, his first interception halting North Hall's opening possession and setting up Jefferson's second score. This time Shirreffs launched a 70-yard bomb for Skelton, who ran underneath the pass and made it 14-0 with 7:31 left in the first quarter.<br />
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"Evan's really improved his touch, and our offensive line did a great job giving him time tonight," Hall said. "And you can't say enough about our receivers."<br />
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Jefferson's defense also kept things air-tight early, holding North Hall (0-1) to 72 yards in the first half -- almost all of it in the second quarter. By the time Austin Perry plowed into the end zone with 4:40 left in the first half, the Trojans were staring at a 28-6 deficit.<br />
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The Dragons picked off three passes during the game and also recovered one Trojans fumble. Jefferson did not commit any turnovers during the contest.<br />
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"We were improved through the first quarter and a half tonight but we've also got to play a complete game," Hall said. "We haven't done that yet."<br />
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North Hall continued to battle, and the Trojans found their feet in the second quarter, piecing together their first drive. North Hall made the most of a fake punt and a personal foul on the Dragons, gaining first downs off both plays before Perry rumbled into the end zone from 12 yards. The point after attempt failed, but North Hall rode the momentum to force Jefferson's first punt.<br />
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A fumble stunted all of the Trojans' momentum, however. The Dragons pounced on the loose ball and responded with another scoring drive for a 35-6 lead following a third touchdown pass from Shirreffs to Skelton (six yards).<br />
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The Dragons weren't finished, however, and they continued to pull away after the interval, capping their most dominant performance of a young season.<br />
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North Hall kept fighting, finishing with 200 yards rushing, including 75 yards in 14 carries for Maddox Turner in his first varsity start at quarterback. The converted running back had several strong moments, while Perry also finished with 70 yards.<br />
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North Hall will look to bounce back next week at West Hall.<br />
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Jefferson, meanwhile, will play host to Commerce in a rivalry showdown at the Dragons' Memorial Stadium.<br />
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<b>SCORING SUMMARY</b><br />
<b>JEFFERSON</b>....28...7...7...6 -- 48<br />
<b>NORTH HALL</b>....0...6...2...0 -- 8<br />
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<b>First Quarter</b><br />
JHS -- Wood 7 run (Lawson kick) 9:34, 7-0<br />
JHS -- Skelton 70 pass from Shirreffs (Lawson kick), 7:31, 14-0<br />
JHS -- Williams 3 run (Lawson kick) 4:36, 21-0<br />
JHS -- Skelton 54 pass from Shirreffs (Lawson kick) :00, 28-0<br />
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<b>Second Quarter</b><br />
NHHS -- Perry 12 run (kick failed) 4:40, 28-6<br />
JHS -- Skelton 6 pass from Shirreffs (Lawson kick) :20, 35-6<br />
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<b>Third Quarter</b><br />
JHS -- Wood 47 run (Lawson kick) 8:46, 42-6<br />
NHHS -- Safety, 2:11, 42-8<br />
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<b>Fourth Quarter</b><br />
JHS -- Mason 1 run (kick failed) 3:54, 48-8
