CHAZ MULLIS – The tension in the air between two well-matched teams came in the form of mist on Friday night as #1-ranked Jefferson and #5 North Oconee battled for the region title at Memorial Stadium.

The Titans eventually prevailed as a result of an aggressive showing in the first quarter, taking down the previously undefeated Dragons at 11-6. 

After what looked like a promising fumble recovery for the Dragons, North Oconee profited a crucial safety after a Dragon 4th down punt. Both defenses left the game in a deadlock until the second quarter, where a continuous push from the North Oconee offense led to the first and only TD for the Titans by Dominic Elder, putting them up at 9-0.

The first half ended at 11-0 after another clutch safety against a Jefferson punt. The Dragons knew they needed some momentum in the second half, and that eventually came in the form of a Tre Reece stunning 56 yard TD run. A failed 2 point conversion put the game at 11-6.

From then on the game was all about defense, with each lineman making it nearly impossible for a play to reach any greater than 5 yards. The clock would eventually run down to the buzzer, placing the region championship title in the hands of North Oconee at 11-6.