Jefferson Eagles fall to Jacksboro 12-3
Jefferson Middle School’s football team suffered its third consecutive loss Thursday night, falling to Jacksboro 12-3 in a non-conference game at Blankenship Field. The matchup was a battle of Eagles.
Jefferson (1-3 overall, 1-2 in the Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference) had significant offensive struggles, but the points the host Eagles did score made program history.
Kicker Gavin Ellison’s 25-yard field goal was the first for Jefferson since the school became a middle school in 1995.
“Jefferson was a junior high school until 1995 and had seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. I’m sure they probably kicked a
few field goals back then,” Eagles coach Rodney Ellison said. “But this was the first field goal since Jefferson became a true middle school.”
Gavin Ellison’s field goal capped a 10-play drive and made the score 6-3 at halftime.
The game was frustrating for the Eagles and coach Ellison, as Jefferson quarterback Easton Knipp was intercepted, and the team was turned away deep in Jacksboro territory twice.
“Moving forward, we’ve just got to be more focused,” coach Ellison said. “Physically, Jacksboro won the battle at the line of scrimmage. We’ve got to grow, and we have a young team. This is what happens when you only have eight eighth graders on the team.”
Jackboro’s Eagles kept Jefferson off the scoreboard after halftime. Jacksboro controlled the ball with long drives.
“Jacksboro did a good job draining the clock with long drives and doing what they do,” coach Ellison
said.
Jordan Samuelson was Jefferson’s leading rusher with 10 carries for 62 yards. He was also the team’s leading receiver with two catches for 56 yards. On defense, he made four tackles.
Knipp went 4-for-10 passing for 85 yards and an interception. Defensively, he recorded four tackles.
Aiden Laughridge led Jefferson with six tackles, including one for a loss. Gavin Ellison had four tackles, and sixth-grader Nic Fletcher added three tackles against Jacksboro. CJ Stewart made two stops and forced a fumble, while Braylon Wooten recovered a fumble.
Next up for Jefferson: The Eagles will host Spring City on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.