Michael Jordan once said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” If that is true, the Jefferson Bulldogs should win a fair share of games in 2009. We will see if they have what it takes to win a championship.
When the Jefferson Bulldogs begin the 2009 football season, it could be with one of the most talented 2A rosters in the state. At least four Jefferson players have garnered significant attention from Division I scouts. Running back, Destin Mosley, has already verbally committed to play at Kansas State. Defensive end, Clarence Lee, has committed to play for the University of Houston Cougars. Trevor Murphy, a standout on the offensive and defensive lines, has offers from Lousiana Tech, UTEP and Stephen F. Austin, with others to follow. Meanwhile, cornerback, Devin Figures, is being recruited by schools like TCU and Texas A&M.
Throw in other talented players like cornerback Damon Gray, defensive end Chris Anthony and safety Dallas Moore and you have a 2A team with more talent than most 3A teams in the state. The amount of talent on this year’s team has Bulldog fans remembering the days of their 1986 3A state championship team.
Head coach Scott Hale’s Bulldogs return 16 starters and 28 lettermen from 2008’s playoff team. Seven starters are back on offense, including 4 of 5 offensive linemen and the aforementioned Mosley. Coach Hale and the Bulldog’s coaching staff will have to replace all-district quarterback Marcus McDonald who has graduated. But, the continuity on the offensive line and the presence of Mosley in the backfield should allow Jefferson an opportunity to ease their starting quarterback into his new role.
On defense, nine starters are back including Lee, Murphy and Figures. Lee at 6’4” 215 pounds and Murphy at 6’3” 275 pounds will anchor a very solid defensive line. Someone will have to step up to fill the void left at cornerback by the departure of McDonald, a two-way standout in 2008. After being named second team all-district as a sophomore, Damon Gray will hold down one cornerback position. Figures and Moore will form a very solid safety tandem. And, Mosley, Jefferson’s primary offensive weapon, will find his way onto the field on the defensive side of the ball as well.
The Bulldogs will be tested early. The nondistrict schedule provides three 3A opponents, Pittsburg, Tatum and North Lamar. Jefferson will also have to face one of the better 2A teams in East Texas when they face the Paul Pewitt Brahmas in the third week of the season.
Pittsburg took a close game over Jefferson in last year’s season opener, 7-6. Pittsburg should be even better this year and figures to challenge for a district championship in 16-3A.
Tatum is coming off a disappointing 5-6 season in its first year back in 3A. Jefferson beat Tatum 26-0 in the second game of the 2008 season, but later had to forfeit the game because of an ineligible player. Tatum is a fine program with state championships in 3A and 2A during this decade. This game should be very interesting.
The game against the Paul Pewitt Brahmas will be a measuring stick for both teams. Both the Brahmas and the Bulldogs see themselves as state championship contenders. This game will go a long way in bringing the 2A hierarchy into focus. In 2008, the Brahmas went into W.F. Lockett Stadium in Jefferson and got the victory, 30-19. If Jefferson is going to avenge last year’s loss, they will have to do it at Brahma Stadium.
The following week, the Bulldogs will travel to San Augustine to face another 2008 playoff team. The San Augustine Wolves will be looking for revenge after suffering a 15-7 loss at the hands of the Bulldogs last year. San Augustine was 4-1 at home in 2008 and will try to defend home field against the Bulldogs this September.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Bulldogs when they return home to face the North Lamar Panthers in the final nondistrict game for both teams. North Lamar beat Jefferson 36-24 in 2008 and made the playoffs out of District 10-3A.
Coach Hale hopes that the tough nondistrict schedule will prepare the Bulldogs for district. Regardless of Jefferson’s record entering district play, the Bulldogs will have their sights set on a district championship. Standing in their way will be the reigning Division II-2A State Champion Daingerfield Tigers.
The Daingerfield Tigers, with several division I prospects of their own, will travel to Jefferson to face the Bulldogs on October 23rd. The game will be one of the most highly anticipated games of 2009 for both teams and will likely decide the district championship. Jefferson will have a little extra motivation when they face off against Daingerfield. The Tigers knocked the Bulldogs out of the playoffs in 2007 and beat them 32-14 last year in district play. Jefferson will have home field advantage playing in front of what is sure to be a raucous pack of Bulldog fans.
Regardless of whether Jefferson is able to overcome Daingerfield, the Bulldogs will almost certainly seize one of District 17-2A’s three playoff spots. With the highest enrollment in the district, Jefferson would then compete in the Division I-2A playoffs. Their playoff road should be very similar to the 2008 playoffs. White Oak is the odds on favorite to win District 18-2A. If Jefferson and White Oak both make the playoffs as expected, it will set up a rematch of last year’s first round thriller. Jefferson beat the Roughnecks 39-35 on Marcus McDonald’s 88 yard touchdown pass to Destin Mosley with just over a minute left in the game.
If Jefferson makes it to the second round, they will likely face a rematch with the Arp Tigers. The Bulldogs and the Tigers faced off in the second round of the playoffs last year with the Tigers winning 21-7 on the strength of three Will Allen touchdown passes and 235 yards rushing by Lavocheya Cooper. The Bulldogs had opportunities but failed to turn four Arp turnovers into points. The Bulldogs also failed to score on two trips inside the red zone. With 21 lettermen returning from last year’s 11-1 playoff squad, Arp will be near the top of the AP poll again in 2009. And, the winner of the second round matchup will have a very good chance of representing Region III in the state championship game.
The Jefferson Bulldogs have a roster full of talented athletes. And, with a schedule filled with quality opponents, the Bulldogs have a chance to shine a spotlight on Jerry Bennett Field at W.F. Lockett Stadium. Come this fall Bulldog fans, whether sharing a beer at Auntie Skinner’s or sharing a plate of nachos at Don Juan’s, will be talking about their talented football team and wondering if they can recreate the magic of Jerry Bennett’s 1986 state championship team.
When the Jefferson Bulldogs begin the 2009 football season, it could be with one of the most talented 2A rosters in the state. At least four Jefferson players have garnered significant attention from Division I scouts. Running back, Destin Mosley, has already verbally committed to play at Kansas State. Defensive end, Clarence Lee, has committed to play for the University of Houston Cougars. Trevor Murphy, a standout on the offensive and defensive lines, has offers from Lousiana Tech, UTEP and Stephen F. Austin, with others to follow. Meanwhile, cornerback, Devin Figures, is being recruited by schools like TCU and Texas A&M.
Throw in other talented players like cornerback Damon Gray, defensive end Chris Anthony and safety Dallas Moore and you have a 2A team with more talent than most 3A teams in the state. The amount of talent on this year’s team has Bulldog fans remembering the days of their 1986 3A state championship team.
Head coach Scott Hale’s Bulldogs return 16 starters and 28 lettermen from 2008’s playoff team. Seven starters are back on offense, including 4 of 5 offensive linemen and the aforementioned Mosley. Coach Hale and the Bulldog’s coaching staff will have to replace all-district quarterback Marcus McDonald who has graduated. But, the continuity on the offensive line and the presence of Mosley in the backfield should allow Jefferson an opportunity to ease their starting quarterback into his new role.
On defense, nine starters are back including Lee, Murphy and Figures. Lee at 6’4” 215 pounds and Murphy at 6’3” 275 pounds will anchor a very solid defensive line. Someone will have to step up to fill the void left at cornerback by the departure of McDonald, a two-way standout in 2008. After being named second team all-district as a sophomore, Damon Gray will hold down one cornerback position. Figures and Moore will form a very solid safety tandem. And, Mosley, Jefferson’s primary offensive weapon, will find his way onto the field on the defensive side of the ball as well.
The Bulldogs will be tested early. The nondistrict schedule provides three 3A opponents, Pittsburg, Tatum and North Lamar. Jefferson will also have to face one of the better 2A teams in East Texas when they face the Paul Pewitt Brahmas in the third week of the season.
Pittsburg took a close game over Jefferson in last year’s season opener, 7-6. Pittsburg should be even better this year and figures to challenge for a district championship in 16-3A.
Tatum is coming off a disappointing 5-6 season in its first year back in 3A. Jefferson beat Tatum 26-0 in the second game of the 2008 season, but later had to forfeit the game because of an ineligible player. Tatum is a fine program with state championships in 3A and 2A during this decade. This game should be very interesting.
The game against the Paul Pewitt Brahmas will be a measuring stick for both teams. Both the Brahmas and the Bulldogs see themselves as state championship contenders. This game will go a long way in bringing the 2A hierarchy into focus. In 2008, the Brahmas went into W.F. Lockett Stadium in Jefferson and got the victory, 30-19. If Jefferson is going to avenge last year’s loss, they will have to do it at Brahma Stadium.
The following week, the Bulldogs will travel to San Augustine to face another 2008 playoff team. The San Augustine Wolves will be looking for revenge after suffering a 15-7 loss at the hands of the Bulldogs last year. San Augustine was 4-1 at home in 2008 and will try to defend home field against the Bulldogs this September.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Bulldogs when they return home to face the North Lamar Panthers in the final nondistrict game for both teams. North Lamar beat Jefferson 36-24 in 2008 and made the playoffs out of District 10-3A.
Coach Hale hopes that the tough nondistrict schedule will prepare the Bulldogs for district. Regardless of Jefferson’s record entering district play, the Bulldogs will have their sights set on a district championship. Standing in their way will be the reigning Division II-2A State Champion Daingerfield Tigers.
The Daingerfield Tigers, with several division I prospects of their own, will travel to Jefferson to face the Bulldogs on October 23rd. The game will be one of the most highly anticipated games of 2009 for both teams and will likely decide the district championship. Jefferson will have a little extra motivation when they face off against Daingerfield. The Tigers knocked the Bulldogs out of the playoffs in 2007 and beat them 32-14 last year in district play. Jefferson will have home field advantage playing in front of what is sure to be a raucous pack of Bulldog fans.
Regardless of whether Jefferson is able to overcome Daingerfield, the Bulldogs will almost certainly seize one of District 17-2A’s three playoff spots. With the highest enrollment in the district, Jefferson would then compete in the Division I-2A playoffs. Their playoff road should be very similar to the 2008 playoffs. White Oak is the odds on favorite to win District 18-2A. If Jefferson and White Oak both make the playoffs as expected, it will set up a rematch of last year’s first round thriller. Jefferson beat the Roughnecks 39-35 on Marcus McDonald’s 88 yard touchdown pass to Destin Mosley with just over a minute left in the game.
If Jefferson makes it to the second round, they will likely face a rematch with the Arp Tigers. The Bulldogs and the Tigers faced off in the second round of the playoffs last year with the Tigers winning 21-7 on the strength of three Will Allen touchdown passes and 235 yards rushing by Lavocheya Cooper. The Bulldogs had opportunities but failed to turn four Arp turnovers into points. The Bulldogs also failed to score on two trips inside the red zone. With 21 lettermen returning from last year’s 11-1 playoff squad, Arp will be near the top of the AP poll again in 2009. And, the winner of the second round matchup will have a very good chance of representing Region III in the state championship game.
The Jefferson Bulldogs have a roster full of talented athletes. And, with a schedule filled with quality opponents, the Bulldogs have a chance to shine a spotlight on Jerry Bennett Field at W.F. Lockett Stadium. Come this fall Bulldog fans, whether sharing a beer at Auntie Skinner’s or sharing a plate of nachos at Don Juan’s, will be talking about their talented football team and wondering if they can recreate the magic of Jerry Bennett’s 1986 state championship team.
Time will tell.
Projected Offensive Starters
QB – Trent Smith
TB – Destin Mosley
FB – ?
WR – Clarence Lee
WR – D. J. McDonald
TE – Chris Anthony
OL – Willie McCoy
OL – Austin Youngblood
OL – Trevor Murphy
OL – ?
OL – Kyle Swanson
Projected Defensive Starters
DE – Clarence Lee
DL – Trevor Murphy
DL – Kennan Marshall
DL - Dennis Wilson
DE – Chris Anthony
LB – Kevin Harris
LB – Trent Smith
CB – Damon Gray
CB – Destin Mosley
FS - Devin Figures
SS - Dallas Moore
2009 Football Schedule
August 28 Pittsburg (Home)
September 4 Tatum (Home)
September 11 Paul Pewitt (Away)
September 18 San Augustine (Away)
September 25 Open
October 2 North Lamar (Home)
October 9 Ore City (Home)*
October 16 Queen City (Away)*
October 23 Daingerfield (Home)*
October 30 Linden-Kildare (Away)*
November 6 Hughes Springs (Home)*
*District
Prediction (8-2) (4-1)*
