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Jefferson County to host first playoff game
Published Thursday, November 8, 2007
fayette — The long road to a 3A state championship begins Friday for the Jefferson County Tigers.
The Tigers host their first ever playoff game against the Perry Central Bulldogs (7-3, 4-2).
Both teams are coming off dominating wins last week, Perry Central 35-7 over Pass Christian and Jefferson County 41-6 over Wilkinson County.
The Bulldogs will try to run their power running game against a Jefferson County defense that only gives up 17 points per game and gets playmaking linebacker Shavikia Gaines back from injury.
“Our defense is as healthy as it’s ever been,” Jefferson County head coach James Herrington said. “We have a stout defense that has been playing outstanding all year.”
Perry Central’s head coach Brian Ford said they run a basic pro I offense and depend on their two running backs to carry the load.
“Xavier Jones and Nick Griffin have rushed for over 1,000 yards apiece,” Ford said. “What we do is simple but we do it well and it works.”
Ford said they were going to run right at the Tigers and play time possession football.
“Our goal is to keep Jefferson County’s offense off the field,” he said.
Herrington said the key for his defense was to not allow Perry Central to get momentum.
“We have to win the third down battles and give our offense a chance to score,” Herrington said.
Ford said his best defense against Jefferson County would be a good offense.
“Jefferson is too big and strong,” Ford said. “We have to do what got us here. It’s going to be a tough match up.”
When Herrington’s offense takes the field they will be without starting quarterback Percy Turner.
“We thought he would be ready this week,” Herrington said. “We are going to take it day to day.”
Jeffery Collins will get the start. Herrington said Collins has been outstanding so far and felt like he could get the job done.
“Jeffery does it all for us,” Herrington said. “He is that slash type of player.”
Herrington said he wanted to jump out early on Perry Central and take advantage of miss matches that may present themselves.
“Front what we have seen they play a base 50 defense,” he said. “We’re going to try to get our passing game going and use the one on one coverage.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Comments
Posted by linda (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 3:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Jefferson Tiger fans---Just a message from your neighbors in Franklin County. Good luck in the play offs. We are hoping you will win every game . That is till the third round. Then it will be all over for the Tigers, cause you know who will be celebrating on your field this time.
Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Linda,
Thank you for the pat-on-the-back. We accept your challenge and look forward to meeting you on the field again.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We will see Linda.
Posted by BJ1979 (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its almost time TIGERS you have get ur minds right, like my friend Tigerfan said a couple of weeks ago we have to play at optimum performance because this is a different type of ballgame in the playoffs. We believe in you guys 110%. We believe you can get it done. We have the advantage of home field so lets make that work for us fans. We need everyone to get involved in this one and cheer our team to victory. Even if we are behind sometimes the crowd can inspire the team or just one individual to make one big play. Hey Linda, we Jeffersonians feel the same way. You can win them all till u play us. GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ladies and Gentlemen: Im back!!! LOL Nah seriously, I lve you all!!! It is that time again, and Im extremely proud of the Tigers and their staff. They have had an outstanding year. Honestly, you record doesnt speak for itself with the way these boys have played all season. The intensity, the poise, and the no fear attitudes as it seems, has gotten them this far. And I know that you all as players, fans, family, and staff, along with everybody else watching around these parts wont sit back and bite our nails in this one on tomorrow night. You all have shown that there is no reason to do that. I know that the Tigers can get the job done and make their way to Jackson in the next three to four weeks. There is nobody that I have seen or read about that can stand in your way.
Today is Thursday, so its a light practice and walk throughs. I wouldnt be surprised in there have been scouts from Perry in the stands watching the Tigers this week . If Perry is smart like I think they are, they've probably been doing that. But to the Tigers, Franklin County, and Natchez of course, I wish you all the best from here on out. Take care and GOD Bless!!!!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anybody know anything about Perry Central? I have never heard of them.
Posted by hawk (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Big and fast should be 9-1 lost some very close games. They can compete with any team in the playoffs dont look past these guys by no means or they will beat you.
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I cant say too much about Perry Central because Ive never watched their games. But I can tell you that you can find out a lot of info about rival teams from reading the Clarion Ledger and finding these other cities newspapers online. Their high school sports forum is really good. It gives team rosters, stats, players pics, and players stat rankings, etc. They got Percy ranked in the top 20 among all the state's passing leaders. You all should check it out when you have time. (Whoever this Dylan Favre kid is, he's been throwing the football good this year. They got him ranked #1 in the state. )
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So Hawk, you are telling me that they are another Lawrence County? Those guys were huge. Is "9-1" there "win-lose" record, just curious? I'm not worried though. I have faith in my team. I'm proud of them.
Posted by ready4u (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's go Tigers and get the job done. We are ready to play with anybody in the 3A division including Franklin County. We are going to take it one game at a time. Let's go Tigers.
Posted by hawk (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
no drawpaintsing there record is 5-4 but should be 9-1 they lost some close games to some good caliber teams they will make you work and your secondary better be in good physical condition they can pass the ball and will spread it around. they are big and strong up front and can protect the quarter back to give him time to find his recievers. both tackles on offense is between 320 and 340 and are pretty lean. on offense they run a pro I and will run and pass out of the notre dame box. i have seen this but they only use this when they need it. be careful they can make big plays.
Posted by hawk (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
correction 7-3 record for perry central
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Hawk! Let's Go Tigers!
Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Drawpaintsing, Perry Central High School is located in New Augusta, Mississippi, which is in the vicinity of Hattiesburg, Petal, Ellisville and Laurel to name a few.
Hawk, by the way you are posting, you must have seen these guys play. I noticed that you said their record should have been 9-1 instead of 7-3. They lost to: Stone County-- 33-21, where they only scored in the 2nd and 4th quarters; Sumrall-- 30-12, where they only scored in the 2nd and 3rd quarters; and Greene County-- 13-6, where they only scored in the first quarter. In your opinion, which team do you feel should have been the one that beat them. Nothing against your judgement, I am just curious.
Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawk, that wasn't a personal attack. I was just curious, plus I think the insight is good.
Posted by hawk (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
all these teams you have mentioned are top contenders as you can see there was no blowout by any of them except the sumrall club/should have beat stone county and green county.
all i am saying is dont overlook these guys and you will make it to the next round.
Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you hawk, a little personal insight and a lot of observation could make the difference in a win or a loss for us. I am sure our coaching staff will take your comments under consideration.
Our team and the coaching staff are doing a tremendous job so far and I hope they don't lose their momentum. The community is certainly behind them and judging by your comments, you are too. I know my family and I plan to be there tomorrow night. Again thanks.
Posted by Nationwide (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO TIGERS!!! It's time to put it on!!!
Posted by Topdawg42 (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Perry Central has a strong running game... they have TWO running backs that have over 1000 yards on the season. And they average about 25 points a game... and we average like 31... They seem to hide a weaker defense behind a strong offense that likes to control the tempo and keep the opposing team's offense off the field by running the ball a lot.
Posted by Topdawg42 (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO TIGERS!!!
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