We tell you everything you need to know about the 2024 Jefferson High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Dragons this season.
2023 Stats
- Overall Record: 13-1
- Points Scored: 532
- Points Allowed: 167
Key Losses
Jefferson may have the single biggest loss of talent in one single player in Georgia with the graduation of Sammy Brown. He is a rare five-star player who did it all during his career with the Dragons as a running back on offense, linebacker on defense, and punter. Brown is now at Clemson.
Another All-State player from Jefferson also moving on to play collegiately is offensive lineman Brian Senter. The tackle is now at Troy University.
Safety Justin Beatty was a defensive leader for the Dragons during his career as he roamed the secondary. He had a solid senior season with 37 tackles and three interceptions.
Defensive lineman Skyler Zimmerman’s loss is huge to the Jefferson D-line.
Who’s Back
Jefferson brings back some stellar talent up front on both sides of the ball.
Senior offensive linemen Ashley Eckert and Ty Oglesby return.
Four-star outside linebacker and defensive end Kelan Butler, a senior, and outside linebacker Rett Hemphill are both back for the 2024 season. Hemphill had 129 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss; two blocked punts; three sacks; an interception; and two fumble recoveries last year as a junior.
Senior quarterback Gavin Markey was an All-Region and All-State selection last year. He threw for 1,458 yards with 24 touchdowns and ran for 179 yards and five scores in 2023.
Max Brown, Sammy Brown’s younger brother, is just a sophomore, but he made a name for himself as a freshman linebacker in 2023, earning an early offer to the University of Tennessee.
What to Expect
Yes, a ton of talent left via graduation, but head coach Travis Noland has a lot coming back too. There is no way to replace a once-in-a-generation player like Sammy Brown, but this Jefferson program will have plenty of game-day experience to lean on in 2024.
Reclassification moves Jefferson down to Class 3A, but their Region 8 opponents are all new and include Cherokee Bluff and Oconee County.
A third straight region title should very much be one of Jefferson’s goals this year.
Prediction
No falloff this year. Jefferson makes a run at a state championship and finishes 12-3 overall.
Game to Watch
Aug. 16 season-opener at Marist
