Our Week One Game of the Week takes us to Jefferson for a game that will likely set the tone for the Dragons’ 2023 season and expectations. Last season, this one went crazy in a 47-46 final in favor of Alpharetta. Jefferson’s defense used that as a chip on the shoulder, and played exceptionally well the rest of the way to the tune of 63 regular season points allowed.

JEFFERSON

The Dragons are well-documented in having probably the best natural talent (of the DI variety) among our local programs. Jefferson is ranked #4 in the state, and have the nation’s top linebacker in Sammy Brown (Preseason All-American, 5-star Clemson commit). He’ll be the featured player on both sides of the ball, but players like Kelan Butler (4-star recruit, JR LB), Skyler Zimmerman (DI recruit, SR DE/LB), Brian Senter (Troy commit), and Zay Minish (DI recruit, SR WR/DB) are just a handful of the talented players here. New QB Gavin Markey is set to take off on what promises to be a spectacular season and career. The offense is multi-faceted and lethal, and the defense is as good as when the Dragons gave up just 26 points in all of region play.

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ALPHARETTA

This Alpharetta program was a high-scoring machine last year – as evidenced by the 47 put on Jefferson. The Raiders averaged 36 points per contest, and went 8-4 on the way to the second round of the playoffs. The Achilles Hill for Alpharetta was the defense, which surrendered 25.4 points per game last season. Last year’s group made a dramatic 180 from the 3 wins the year before. Their QB Ben Guthrie has graduated and took his 3,365 passing yards and 38 TD with him. Leading rusher Jake Gil (673 yds, 6 TD) and top receiver Garrett Young (846 yds, 7 TD) also graduated, so the offense lost all its skill leaders. However, only 5 leading defensive starters are gone, so that side of the ball should be improved somewhat.

BY THE NUMBERS (2022 STATS)

JEFFERSON

• 8-3 (6-0 in 8-AAAAA)
• Region Standings: Champions!
• 31.6 OFFENSE AVG
• 12.5 DEFENSE AVG
• #4 State Ranking (this season)

ALPHARETTA

• 8-4 (5-1 in 7-AAAAAA)
• Region Standings: Runner-Up
• 36.0 OFFENSE AVG
• 25.4 DEFENSE AVG
• N/A State Ranking

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Be looking for highlights post-game late tonight as well as a story recapping Week One. BLITZ partners with Fox 5’s 11 PM “High 5 Sports” show throughout the season. We make sure to get Jefferson coverage on the big market show! You can also follow us on Twitter (@BlitzSportsGa) for live score updates (5G pending).

OUR PREDICTION

We typically make a case for both, with our official pick linked below. Jefferson is the far superior team, and really was last season too. The chances this becomes another 47-46 shootout are extremely low. The Dragons have several players getting their first chance at being featured starters, and of course, they have all the aforementioned next-level talent and athleticism. Jefferson is at home, which if needed, would be the difference. The Dragons win this one if they stay within themselves and play sound, fundamental football. For Alpharetta, Landon Walker got great backup experience last season with a solid completion percentage and a 2:1 TD/INT ratio. Likewise, Amauri Anderson as the backup RB averaged a robust 7.1 yards per carry, and Sean Wilson had 760 receiving yards and 7 TD. Needless to say, they have guys ready to be the go-to options. They will throw everything they can at Jefferson, and could steal a win if they get up by multiple scores early on and limit homerun plays for Jefferson. OUR PICK: SEE HERE

DO WE BRING LUCK?

In 17 total games we’ve been to for Jefferson, the Dragons have gone 14-3. The last 2 visits were JHS victories, with our most recent trip to catch the Dragons was the 2022 Region Championship win over Loganville at home.

DETAILS OF THE MATCHUP

TIME: 7:30 PM Kickoff
PLACE: Jefferson HS / Jefferson, GA / Memorial Stadium
LAST MEETING: 2022 (Alpharetta 47, #6 Jefferson 46)
ALL-TIME RECORD: Alpharetta won the only meeting last season
RECORDS: #4 Jefferson Dragons (0-0; 0-0 in 8-AAAAA); Alpharetta Raiders (0-0; 0-0 in 7-AAAAAA)
HEAD COACHES: Travis Noland (197-92; 26 Seasons); Jason Kervin (14-18; 4 Seasons)

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

Last year made for the first meeting between the teams. Jefferson and Alpharetta had a track meet, and the Raiders came out on top in an epic win for their program.

TEAM LEADERS (2022 Stats)

*Stats accumulated by team-published data on Ga MaxPreps from last season; returning leaders only or projected leaders

JEFFERSON

PASSING
Gavin Markey – new starting QB

RUSHING
Sammy Brown – 1,449 yds, 21 TD, 8.0 YPC

RECEIVING
Zay Minish – 249 yds, 1 TD, 18 rec
Sammy Brown – 246 yds, 3 TD, 12 rec
Bryant Cox – 66 yds, 2 TD, 4 rec
Talan Childress – 47 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (some incomplete stats)
Sammy Brown – 113 TKL, 7 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 Sack
Jayden Yang – 59 TKL, 4 TFL
Skyler Zimmerman – 55 TKL, 8 TFL
Talan Childress – 35 TKL, 1 TFL

ALPHARETTA

PASSING
Landon Walker – 201 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; 67% passing

RUSHING
Amauri Anderson – 441 yds, 2 TD, 7.1 YPC
Jrue Keeling – 75 yds, 0 TD, 6.3 YPC

RECEIVING
Sean Wilson – 760 yds, 7 TD, 43 rec
Ethan Barbour – 714 yds, 12 TD, 51 rec
CJ Wiley – 84 yds, 3 TD, 10 rec
Ayden Williams – 51 yds, 1 TD, 3 rd
Amauri Anderson – 48 yds, 1 TD, 5 rec

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Chapel Young – 66 TKL, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT
Trent WcWhorter – 49 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 1 INT
Ashton Moore – 36 TKL, 3 TFL, 0.5 Sacks, 1 FFum
Tyjai Hopper – 19 TKL, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FFum
Julius Holly – 15 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 2 Sacks
Cole Walker – 14 TKL, 2 TFL, 1 INT