The BLITZ Game of the Week is second straight top-10 matchup between #6 Jefferson and #3 Monroe Area from Jefferson!

JEFFERSON

The Dragons are faring just well without star quarterback Colby Clark, as Carter Stephenson has done a fantastic job. This is a game that Clark would love to be playing in, and the Dragons would love to have him. However, Jefferson has plenty of talent, and it’s all hands on deck for this slobber-knocker that could and probably will come down to the wire. The Dragons are a run-first offense, as evident by eight 100-yard rushers on the season.

MONROE AREA

The Purple Hurricanes roll into Jefferson undefeated and every bit as good as their #3 ranking. They feature perhaps the state’s top dual threat QB at the moment in Chandler Byron, who has nearly 2,500 total yards. He’s the one to stop, and this Monroe Area bunch is very comparable to Jefferson in having a run-first approach but can throw the ball as needed.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Be looking for highlights post-game late tonight as well as a story recapping WEEK 9. BLITZ will also share highlights with Fox 5’s HIGH 5 Sports, so the highlights will play on Channel 5 at 11 PM. You can also follow us on Twitter (@BlitzSportsGa) for live score updates.

OUR PREDICTION

This might be the toughest one all year. This is a game that chalks up to be the Region 8-AAA Championship in Week 9, and a pair of what we perceive to be legit quarterfinal or even semifinal teams trading punches. It’s going to take a stellar effort by the Dragons’ defense, as Byron is the real deal. The offense too must put pressure early and often on Monroe Area, as the Canes have pitched four straight shutouts, which is just about unheard of. No one has scored off Monroe since August 31. FINAL VERDICT: Jefferson Wins

DETAILS OF THE MATCHUP

TIME: 7:30 pm kickoff
PLACE: Memorial Stadium / Jefferson, GA
LAST MEETING: 1948; Monroe Area 26, Jefferson 0
ALL-TIME RECORD: Monroe Area 1, Jefferson 0
RECORDS: #6 Jefferson Dragons (7-1; 4-0 in 8-AAA); #3 Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes (8-0; 4-0 in 8-AAA)

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

This is something most of us have never seen, as the only meeting came in 1948, as legendary coach Frank Snyder (Rabun County legendary coach who got his feet wet in three years at Jefferson) and the Dragons fell 26-0. This is ancient history, so it doesn’t mean anything coming into this game. These teams do not know each other, except on tape. But they might as well get acquainted, as the Dragons making the move to 8-AAA this season means these two might become bitter rivals fighting annually for the region crown.

TEAM LEADERS (2018 STATS as available)

JEFFERSON

PASSING
Colby Clark: 402 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT; 23/56 (41%)
Carter Stephenson: 241 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; 15/29 (52%)

RUSHING
Colby Clark: 485 yds, 9 TD, 7.1 YPC
Donsha Gaither: 397 yds, 6 TD, 9.7 YPC
Zac Corbin: 257 yds, 2 TD, 7.6 YPC
Jacob Thompson: 236 yds, 2 TD, 6.4 YPC
Kade McNally: 216 yds, 4 TD, 8 YPC
Paxton Corkery: 194 yds, 2 TD, 8.1 YPC
Carter Stephenson: 170 yds, 3 TD, 4.0 YPC
Kolton Jones: 100 yds, 1 TD, 5.9 YPC

RECEIVING
Sammy Elegreet: 260 yds, 1 TD, 17 rec
Zac Corbin: 208 yds, 3 TD, 9 rec
Garmon Randolph: 120 yds, 3 TD, 8 rec

TACKLES
Rem Maxwell: 52 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 Sack
Paxton Corkery: 51 tackles, 2 TFL
Cole Potts: 45 tackles, 2 TFL
Zac Corbin: 35 tackles, 1 TFL
Kade McNally: 30 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 Sack

INTERCEPTIONS
Sammy Elegreet, 2
Donsha Gaither, 1
Garmon Randolph, 1

MONROE AREA

PASSING
Chandler Byron: 898 yds, 12 TD, 3 INT; 39/66 (59%)

RUSHING
Chandler Byron: 1,632 yds, 23 TD, 10.9 YPC
Jakia Thompson: 758 yds, 5 TD, 8.8 YPC
Zariahm Blade: 283 yds, 1 TD, 8.6 YPC
Clay Branch: 129 yds, 2 TD, 9.9 YPC

RECEIVING
Emmanuel Okwudili: 385 yds, 7 TD, 13 rec
Isaiah Glasper: 221 yds, 3 TD, 7 rec
Jakia Thompson: 94 yds, 1 TD, 6 rec

TACKLES
Jaquaris Booker: 75 tackles, 3 TFL
Jayden Davis: 61 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks
Elijah Compton: 40 tackles, 2 TFL

INTERCEPTIONS
Isaiah Glasper, 2
Jakia Thompson, 2
Jayden Davis, 2
Elijah Compton, 1
Zavius Williams, 1
Dabarius Partee, 1