Life without Sammy Brown starts now for the Dragons. After a State Semifinal run, region title, and historic 13-1 season that saw the nation’s top linebacker putting the finishing touches on an unbelievable career, Jefferson must now take the field without one of their best players in program history.

Unlike most other programs, Jefferson is well-versed in retooling a roster and seeing little, if any, dropoff from year to year. Coach Travis Noland in year three will have plenty of returning star players – Kelan Butler (65 TKL, 9 TFL, 6 Sacks), Gavin Markey (1,458 yds, 23 TD), Ashley Eckert (star OL), Rett Hemphill (129 TKL, 14 TFL), Ty Oglesby (star OL), Jayden Yang (122 TKL), and Brown’s younger brother, Max. As a freshman last year, Brown, who easily would have started on any other team, made his mark with nothing short of a stellar first year. He’s already getting tons of DI looks and attention, and should have a Player of the Year-type of campaign. Yes, Jefferson will no doubt miss Sammy Brown, Skyler Zimmerman, Brian Senter, Zay Minish, Bryant Cox, and Jaden Butts, but they’ll be just fine, especially moving down from 5A to 3A.

The Dragons have revealed their 2024 schedule in their all-new 8-AAA.

2024 SCHEDULE

AUG 16 – @ Marist
AUG 23 – @ Jackson County
AUG 30 – vs Clarke Central
SEP 6 – vs Stephens County
SEP 13 – @ North Oconee
SEP 20 – BYE
SEP 27 – vs West Hall*
OCT 4 – @ Monroe Area*
OCT 11 – vs East Hall*
OCT 18 – BYE
OCT 25 – vs Cherokee Bluff*
NOV 1 – @ Oconee County*

*Region 8-AAA