Typically, middle school games mean very little when dissecting a high school program. Like going from high school to the college ranks for most players, it’s not always about what you did in the past but where you are at that moment. The talent does not always translate to the higher level.
But for both Jefferson coach Travis Noland and Calhoun coach Clay Stephenson, a pair of very rare middle school home-and-home contests in 2022 and 2023 between the two programs, who are hours apart, may have been a sign of things to come.
Players like Jefferson sophomore linebacker Max Brown and Calhoun freshman quarterback Trace Hawkins were part of one or both those games; as were several other key members for both teams for the 2024 varsity editions.
Stephenson remembers those games well.
“Seeing those guys in middle school -- because typically we don't lose too many middle school games, and when they beat us that year -- obviously it opened our eyes a little bit,” he said in an interview as both teams prepare to meet for the Class 3A state title on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“I only saw the game (in Calhoun) but I know Max Brown showed out over here and they won the other game over there so we already know what we’re getting into (this) week.”
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and you can hear the game on both WDUN AM 550 and WDUN 102.9 FM.
Stephenson continued: “They were close games and some of these kids played against each other so they have some familiarity with each other. Our current quarterback played very well and gave us a small glimpse of what he could do.”
Ironically, the last time the two teams met at the varsity level was in the 2012 Class 2A state championship game. The Dragons walked away with a 31-14 win at the old Georgia Dome for their first, and only, state title.
The Yellow Jackets went on to win a pair titles after that in 2014 and 2017, both in Class 3A.
Noland also remembers the middle school game in Jefferson -- and Hawkins in particular.
“He was good back then. You could see the kind of talent he had. And he’s a great player already (in high school) and he’s going to be an unbelievable player as he gets older,” Noland said. “He poses a lot of problems for us. He can throw it, run it, and they are very balanced. He’s got a lot of weapons around him. He can beat you with his arm and his feet. It’s a difficult offense to prepare for.”
Hawkins has thrown for 1,893 yards and 23 TD with only 1 INT on the season. Justin Beasley (69 rec., 985 yards, 18 TD) is his favorite go-to receiver in crunch time. Sophomore running back Hudson Chadwick (89 car., 516 yards, 4 TD) rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown last week and has had two breakout games since taking over for the region’s leading rusher, Isaiah Nalls, in the second round of the playoffs. Senior tight end Emaree Winston (34 rec., 505 yards, 4 TD, Texas commit), missed more than half the season with an injury, but had 6 receptions for 93 yards and scored on two short runs vs. Douglass in the second round.
But for sure, the Dragons defense will pose a huge problem for the Yellow Jackets. Jefferson is yielding just 13.25 ppg in the playoffs behind one of the state’s most talented linebacking groups. As a team the Dragons have 85 TFL, including 19 sacks, and have forced 23 turnovers (15 INT, 8 fumbles) and forced 3 LaGrange turnovers last week. Linebackers Max Brown (140 tkl, 13 TFL, 2 sacks), Rett Hemphill (131 tkl, 11 TFL, 4 sacks, 7 INT), and Jayden Lang (88 tkl, 4 TFL) along with DL Kelan Butler (85 tkl, 12 TFL, 5 sacks), will be a formidable front.
“Their defense is very physical and they fly around, for sure,” Stephenson said. “They're always in good stances. They always have a right hat placement, and they understand leverage.
“I think in a big-time matchup like this, you can scheme this and that, but it always comes down to the simple things: blocking, tackling, and protecting football. We will have to block well and protect the ball.”
Noland said his defense has its own challenges trying to stop the Jackets offense, which is averaging 36.7 points/game during a current 10-game win streak, including scoring 31 or more in six straight down the stretch.
“They're the biggest team we've played in a while. They're very strong,” Noland said. “They run it well and they throw it well. The tight end going to Texas, he's a matchup nightmare for our defense.”
But on offense, Jefferson can counter with one of the state’s more punishing ground attacks. Gavin Markey has been practically unstoppable this season.
The senior quarterback has rushed for 1,568 yards and has efficiently mixed in the pass, throwing for 1,424 yards and 16 TDs, with just 6 INTs on the season. Dallas Russell (877 yards) and Mickell Pittman (415 yards) have combined for 15 TDs as well out of the backfield. Hemphill has piled up 1,061 all-purpose yards on offense.
The Jackets defense is led by junior LB Alec Upshaw (81 tkl, 9 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 caused fumbles), senior safety Makadan Griffin (52 tkl, 5 TFL, 1 caused fumble, 1 INT), and junior DE Trenton Quinn (39 tkl, 16 TFL, 4 sacks).
“It's going to be a very, very physical battle each play,” Stephenson said. “Both teams are really physical up front, on both sides, of the ball. The front-6 on defense, I think, are the strength of both teams. It's hard to find a true weakness on them.”
Noland agreed.
“You’ve got to block and tackle and play good fundamental football,” he said. “But you also got to see how the game plays out. You’ve got to be able to adjust and make changes and play through the ebbs and the flows of the game and hopefully give yourself a chance to be in at the end with a chance to win it.”
The Yellow Jackets also are the highest-seeded team the top-seeded Dragons have played in the playoffs this season. Calhoun has had the more difficult road on paper.
Jefferson’s next highest-seeded team until this week was Cherokee Bluff at 8th. The Jackets have beaten the No. 7 seed (Stephenson), the No. 11 seed (Douglass-Atlanta), and the No. 3 seed (Peach County) so far in the 2024 playoffs. Stephenson and Peach County both won their respective regions during the regular season. The Dragons, who won a three-way tiebreaker for the Region 8-3A crown, is the third region champion Calhoun has faced among its five playoff opponents.
“Because every schedule is so different, you're playing such different teams, it's hard for those power rankings to truly get it right,” Stephenson said. “Obviously we'd like to schedule easier non-region games for the power rankings, but Jefferson's the same way. No local teams will play us, just like them.
“But as far as the power rankings, it is what it is. We didn't really put too much thought or too much worry into it. Wherever you fall in the bracket, you have to play good teams regardless. At the end of the day, you gotta line up 11 vs. 11.”
CLASS 3A FINALS
CALHOUN VS. JEFFERSON
Records: Yellow Jackets (11-3, No. 6 seed); Dragons (11-3, No. 1 seed)
Last week: Calhoun beat Stephenson, 35-13; Jefferson beat LaGrange, 21-13
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Radio: WDUN AM 550/WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 4 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series tied 1-1. Ironically, the last time the two teams’ met was in the 2012 Class 2A title game, won 31-14 by the Dragons at the old Georgia Dome. It was Jefferson’s 1st-ever state title. The Yellow Jackets won 39-6 in 2011 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs on the way to their 2nd state title. They won state titles in 2014 and 2017 in Class 3A. Calhoun is 4-7 all-time in state championship games. Jefferson is 1-3 all-time in title games since 1975 when they played in their 1st-ever stat title game at home against Irwin County (39-13 loss) in Class A.
