Summary of last season:
There were high hopes in Hazlehurst last season as assistant Coach Ed Lovvorn took over the reins of the football program after serving as a coordinator two years previous. After a 2-7 storm-shortened season, Lovvorn departed and the Yellow Jackets hired Dublin assistant Head Coach Lance Helton to run their program in Hazlehurst. Under Lovvorn, the Jackets defeated Metter and Bryan County while falling to Bacon, Brantley, Toombs and Vidalia before dropping the season-ender against eventual state champion Benedictine.
The New Coach:
The biggest change this season will be the new head coach. Lance Helton comes from the Dublin Irish where he was the assistant head coach. Before that, he was an assistant at Coffee County High and previously an assistant at Dublin. He brings in new formations and plays that the team will grow into. This will be his first time as a head coach, but looks to be a good fit for the Yellow Jackets. Coach Helton was an all-state player at Washington County and played his college football at Valdosta State University.
Outlook for this season?
“With the implementation of a new program and the systems that go with it, the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets are focused on their growth and development in 2017,” said Coach Helton.
The Jackets return 13 starters from last season’s team, including senior running backs Alex Sanders and Jaylene Kirby. Defensively, Jeff Davis has a strong corps of seniors at linebacker and defensive end. Region 2-AA is one of the toughest in the state and includes the defending state champion Benedictine Cadets. After poor showings the past two seasons, the Jeff Davis faithful are ready for some wins on the gridiron to go along with the state baseball championship they won in June.
Big games this year:
“At this point in our program every game is a big game to our kids,” Coach Helton said.
The first year head coach will open his career against Atkinson County at home in Hazlehurst. Region play opens in September and includes road trips to Metter and Vidalia and home games against Toombs, Bryan and Swainsboro. The season concludes against Benedictine at Savannah State Stadium.
SE-SF-0817-Jeff Davis
Jackets Look To Helton For New Start
