Jefferson did what almost no other team could, and that was hold Gunner Stockton and #1 Rabun County in check. The #2-ranked Dragons broke a 7-7 tie with three second half touchdown runs to take a 28-14 hard-fought win.

The Dragons (2-0) used the legs of Malaki Starks to the tune of 157 rushing yards and two TD. Jordan Perry added 81 and a score, as Jefferson racked up 377 yards on the ground. Stockton was held to just 127 passing yards and 19 rushing.

Rabun (2-1) drew first blood with an opening-drive TD run by Lang Windham, a 14-yarder to put the Cats up 7-0. Quickly the Rabun defense forced a three-and-out on the Dragons, but ultimately Starks would not be held at bay. The 5-star recruit busted free on a keeper, going 72 yards for the game-tying score late in the first.

The game remained knotted up heading into the break, and Jefferson milked the clock for well over 8 minutes to open the half. The drive was capped by a Starks leaping TD at the goal line. Jefferson padded its 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter when Carter Stephenson scored from 4 yards out.

The Wildcats finally retaliated when Stockton found Adriel Clark in the end zone on a 41-yard TD pass. The touchdown was Stockton’s only of the night, and assured that he kept his streak of at least a TD in each game of his career. That brought Rabun back to within 21-14 still early in the fourth.

Jefferson continued to church out the yards though, and ultimately took a commanding 28-14 lead when Perry scored from 6 yards out.