PREPS: End of the Road

The Jefferson Dragons went undefeated in regular season play for the second straight year. They made it past the first round of the state playoffs last week, but a season's worth of blood, sweat, and tears all came to an end tonight along with the Dragons' championship dreams. The defending Class AA state champions the Buford Wolves jumped out ahead early and never gave up their lead winning 30-22.
There was a moment though when it could have all been different. With 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter Jefferson quarterback Darius Minor connected with J.J. Damons on a 50-yard touchdown pass followed by an onside kick recovered by the Dragons. They drove down inside the 25-yard line, but a fumbled handoff recovered by the Wolves ended it all. They wouldn't get the ball back until there were just 7 ticks on the clock. Around that time I started looking for emotion on the sidelines. After the game I tried to find moments between some of the players, but as usual in those situations felt like I was intruding so hung back a little. Then I saw the two stars of the team Darius Minor and Lucas Redd walking away consoling each other. It was Minor's handoff to Redd that was fumbled late in the 4th, extinguishing all hope for the Dragons. These two seniors were the backbone of their team and in an instant it was the end of the road for their high school football days.


The Jefferson Dragons take the field before their 30-22 loss to the defending state champions the Buford Wolves in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs Friday Nov. 20, 2009, at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.


Jefferson' QB Darius Minor is converged on by Buford defenders in the first half.


Buford's Andrew Swope is called for pass interference after jumping on Hoytes Damons in the first half.


Buford's C.J. Moore breaks up a pass intended for Jefferson's J.J. Damons in the first half.


Jefferson's J.J. Damons takes a hit from Bufords' Jessel Curry in the first half.


Buford's Jessel Curry hauls in a pass that he returned for a touchdown in the first half.


Buford's Jessel Curry, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first half.


Buford's Eric Barr reacts after bursting into the endzone for a 2nd quarter touchdown in the Buford Wolves 17-14 halftime lead.


Jefferson QB Darius Minor runs through a tackle.


Jefferson's Tyler Porter catches a touchdown pass with coverage by Buford's Paris Head in the last 8 seconds of the Buford Wolves 17-14 halftime lead.


Jefferson's Tyler Porter celebrates after catching a touchdown pass.


Jefferson's Caleb Meek gets a piece of Jamal English's jersey in the first half.


Jefferson's Hoytes Damons tries to stop Buford's Jessel Curry from scoring a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Jefferson's J.J. Damons returns an interception in the 3rd quarter.


Buford's Sherman Page runs the ball.


Buford's Seon Jones lunges for a touchdown but takes his team to the 1-yard line in the second half.


Jefferson's Zach Allen returns a kickoff in the 3rd quarter.


Jefferson's J.J. Damons catches a pass for a touchdown in the 4th quarter.


Jefferson's J.J. Damons, left, and Sky Porter celebrate Damons' touchdown in the 4th quarter.


Buford's Sherman Page catches a pass on the 3-yard line with coverage by Jefferson's Caleb Meek.


Jefferson QB Darius Minor stands on the sidelines after a Dragon fumble was recovered by the Wolves late in the 4th quarter.


Jefferson's J.J. Damons gets up after being tackled after the Dragons' final kickoff return in the final seconds of the 4th quarter.


Jefferson's Zach Allen walks the sidelines in the final minutes of the Dragons' 30-22 loss to the Buford Wolves in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs Friday Nov. 20, 2009, at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.


Jefferson's Hoytes Damons sits on the sidelines in the final minutes of the 4th quarter.


A Buford Wolf raises his helmet after their victory over Jefferson.


Jefferson QB Darius Minor, left, and Lucas Redd console each other after the Dragons' 30-22 loss to the Buford Wolves in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs Friday Nov. 20, 2009, at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.