Football: Jackson County hopes to make history on Friday

The late Don Golden was the last coach to lead the Jackson County football program to an 8-2 season. The year was 1992. 

Spin the clock forward over three decades, and the Panthers have matched the best record in program history. 

However, they've added another caveat: The 1992 Panthers did not achieve a No. 2 seed and a home first-round playoff game in the Class 5A playoffs. 

Head coach Korey Mobbs, in his second season at the helm, says he contributes the success to the buy-in of the players. 

"Once they figured out we knew what we were doing as a staff, they trusted us and worked extremely hard to change the narrative about Jackson County Football," Mobbs said. 

Although there is no recipe for success, according to Mobbs, the Panthers are striving to change the "narrative" in Hoschton. But it's not an easy task. The history is not very good. The Panthers' last winning season was in 2012 under then-and-now Habersham Central head coach Benji Harrison. That year was the first season over .500 since that 1992 team. Digging into the GHSFA.org archives, the Panthers have only posted seven winning seasons in their 44-year history. 

When Mobbs took over last season, he began implementing his plan, which is similar to the one he used at Lanier. As he says, "There is no secret recipe for success."

"It takes work and believing in your teammates," he said. "We have used some similar elements to building this program that were used in my time at Lanier as we built the program. The difference was that we had no history and weren't judged on the past. At Jackson County, it has been the mental hump of what the outside noise of the program has been. We can't change the past, but we are certainly responsible for the work that is put in every day to make this a consistent winner."

The 2024 campaign has been a reminder that hard work and persistence, even in the face of adversity, are signs that the program is headed in the right direction. 

Now, they'll have a chance to make history again on Friday night. The Panthers (8-2, Region 8-5A No. 2 seed) play host to defending state champion Coffee County (8-2, Region 2-5A No. 3 seed), and a victory would be the Panthers' first-ever playoff win. 

Mobbs said the team is confident in how they are playing, and winning five in a row is proof of that. 

"We have won five in a row, and that doesn't happen by chance; they have put in the work required," he said. "We have to realize as a program that there is a whole other level of the same consistency and commitment that it takes to win a playoff game. We've used the bye week to our advantage to get healthy and work on improving as a team. All the firsts that have happened for us this season will not have any bearing on this Friday; the most prepared and physical team will win the game. It will require our best four quarters of football."

Coffee County isn't the same team as they were a year ago, but that doesn't mean it'll be a cakewalk for the Panthers. 

The Panther offense, which has been balanced all season, has mixed the pass and run well. Junior quarterback RJ Knapp (105-for-185, 1,659 yards, 15 TDs, 7 INT, 46-323 yards rushing, 2 TDs), running back Daylan Maxwell (144-1,065 yards, 10 TDs, 18-220 yards rec., 2 TDs) and a stable of steady receivers: Caiden Daniels, Robert Spry and Jacob Coombs have allowed the offense to flourish throughout the season. 

But Mobbs said it will come down to winning first down. 

"That sounds simple, but it really is key," he said. "From a play-calling standpoint and staying on schedule, everything thing you do offensively is predicated on winning first down. We like our balance with run/pass, but it still comes down to finishing blocks physically and staying ahead of the chains." 

The Trojans are aggressive defensively. They have recorded 84 tackles for a loss, 22 sacks, 39 quarterback hurries and forced 16 turnovers. 

Senior linebacker Chris Reed leads a stingy Trojans' linebacking corps with 81 tackles -- 20 for a loss -- and has plenty of help by his side. Reed, Mykevius Smith, Cupris Morgan and Jyarius Carter have recorded 206 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. 

"Offensively, it comes down to execution and playing sound up front to handle their team speed on defense," Mobbs said. 

The Panthers will have their hands full on defense. Mobbs said Coffee will pose a physical challenge. 

"Coffee is going to line up and challenge us physically from the first till the last play," he said. "They will be the biggest and most athletic offensive line we have seen, and they have three or four guys that can take it the distance each time they touch the ball."

Running back Tyrese Woodget is one of those guys Mobbs is talking about. He's averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has racked up 1,086 yards and 11 TDs. They'll also face two others who can find pay dirt fast in RBs Kentavius Debruce and Tyrese Hansley. The two have combined for over 600 yards and five TDs. And quarterback Brayden Coe can connect downfield. 

"Our goal will be to get them out of their comfort zone and get them in some long-yardage situations," Mobbs said. "If they are having success running it right at us, they will make us pay in a hurry. I'm impressed with their physicality on offense."

Mobbs said the biggest key is to start fast and be ready "for a four-quarter war." 

"To win a playoff game, it must be earned with relentless effort and execution," he said. "The turnover battle could be the difference, but the hidden element could be a special teams or sudden change play. How do we handle that, and can we use that to our advantage? We're excited to host a great atmosphere on Friday night, and we expect to play with confidence."