Football: Bluff, Jefferson meet for 1st time in high-stakes showdown

What a time and circumstance for Cherokee Bluff and Jefferson to make acquaintances.

The two programs have never met on the football field. That will change on Friday at Memorial Stadium in what could be the biggest game of the season for both teams.

Both have already clinched playoff spots. But where they will start the playoffs could make or break either team’s desire for a state title. 

Oh, and the Region 8-3A title is also on the line.

Both coaches -- Jefferson’s Travis Noland and Cherokee Bluff’s Tommy Noland -- are downplaying the significance of the game, of course. 

“It's the biggest one this season because it's the only one we're playing this week,” Noland said.

“It’s just the next game for us. We really haven’t talked about anything other than that,” Jones said.

Coachspeak aside, make no mistake: it’s as big as they come. Gaining home-field advantage as a top-8 seed is paramount, especially in a loaded Class 3A field where early-round playoff matchups could be the thing of nightmares.

The Bears (8-0, 3-0 Region 8-3A) have the most immediate path to the title: win, and they’ll be crowned champs and grab one of the top eight seeds in the upcoming playoffs. They are currently ranked 2nd in the Class 3A Power Rankings System and are coming off a 17-10 win over Oconee County.

It’s a tougher road for the Dragons (6-2, 3-0 Region 8-3A). They have to beat the Bears and then Oconee County on the road next week to secure the region title. Jefferson sits 4th in the Class 3A PRS rankings.

This brings us to Friday's massive matchup, and there will be playmakers on both sides of the ball.

The Dragons feature quarterback Gavin Markey, running backs Mickell Pittman and Dallas Russell, running back/linebacker Rett Hemphill, and linebackers Max Brown and JD Yang.

Bluff counters with quarterback Brooks Brien, running backs Connor Griffin and Jackson Pirkle, receivers Malcolm Millsap and Landon Kemp, and receiver/defensive back KT Thompson. Rylan Ackerman is having a breakout season on defense.

And there are more, for sure.

But neither coach hesitated to say this game will depend on the big boys up front.

“We feel like every game comes down to the line of scrimmage,” Noland said. “And you know, this one's no different. (Bluff is) very good at what they do.”

“They are built inside out, exactly like you want a high school football team to be built fundamentally up front,” Jones said about the Dragons. “They are as good as it gets.”

Both teams will rotate 7 or 8 players on both lines. On offense, the Bears are led up front by center Aiden Willis, with guards Cohen Carter and Grant McElroy and tackles Ben Craig and Jordan Maddox. All three tight ends -- Caleb Cooper, Bryce Fontenot, and Erik Johansen -- will also see action.

Jefferson will counter on defense with Cole Kemp, Tripp Porter, Jayden Yang, Kelan Butler, Darren Pinkard, Tylek Rucker, Lex Belin, Gavin Simmons, and Josh Causey. Noland said all nine will see action giving them tons of depth.

“Their offensive line is very big and physical, and they run the ball well, and they throw play action well. So, you know, it's going to be a huge challenge for us in every aspect of the game,” Noland said.

For the Dragons up front on offense, Ty Oglesby, John Morgan Kinney, Ashley Eckert, Miles Price, Vincent Ledbetter, Michael Pauley and Clifton Williamson are along the front. At the tight end, Caleb Beusse and Jordan Robinson will rotate regularly.

The Bears' defense will counter with depth on their line, with Hudson Davis, Ben Craig and Tony Rushin. Cohen Carter, Bryce Fontenot and Aiden Willis are all expected to see action.

“When you play Jefferson, it's all about gap integrity,” Jones said. “They've got so many guys over there that have the ability to take it to the house for a touchdown. You really have to play every play almost perfect.”

Experience could play a factor as well. A large chunk of the Jefferson roster is used to success as part of last year’s team that made a run to the Class 5A semifinals. Bluff, however, has not made a playoff appearance since 2021.

The Bears are coming off their biggest win since that 2021 team won the Region 7-3A title. Jones said this week will be key to how they follow that with a perhaps bigger contest.

“We've got to be mature enough to handle success exactly like you handle adversity,” he said. “Last week is over. You gotta flush it quick and move on and be where your feet are.”

Noland said they have to be able to adapt. And he’s hoping they have not yet peaked.

“Every game has a life of its own, just like every play has a life of its own,” Noland said. “I know we've played really well the last two or three weeks. But I hope to think that we still got our best football in front of us.”

Both teams will find that out sometime around 10 p.m. on Friday.