Jackets Go 10-1, Eyes the State Championship
Jerrell Jones
November 12, 2009
Filed under Fall Sports, Sports
QB Loranzo Hammonds lines up under center against Aiken
After a spectacular 10-1 regular season record put up by the North Augusta Yellow Jacket football team, the 2009 AAAA Football Division II State Playoffs are about to kick off with the Jackets hosting Conway on Friday in the 1st round.
Friday’s game should go North Augusta’s way. This entire season, opponents have had trouble trying to find a solution to the Jacket’s high-powered offense and aggressive defense. With standout players like Loranzo Hammonds, LJ Perry, and Matt Hazel, this team has all the pieces to go all the way this year. As long as the Jackets have confidence and stay determined, they should not disappoint fans.
Senior football player Andrew Smith said, “Well dawg, I think we can do it as long as we play up to our potential, we can’t overlook any teams.”
North Augusta has stacked up many TD drives and many defensive turnovers this season; it looks like it will be business as usual when Conway stops by this Friday. On paper, this game looks like it could get ugly before halftime. Conway has only managed to win 5 games this season and has a huge loss to 15th seed South Florence 71-21.
However, Jacket players aren’t taking the game for granted. “We need to get all on the same page mentally, other than that, we are going to do what we know how to do best,” RB DeMarcus Rouse said, “We have a good team, I believe that we can win ”.
“I hope we go all the way, but it would suck to win the state championship the year I didn’t play”, says former DB DJ McCain.
North Augusta is the No. 5 seed in the Playoffs and is eying next week’s potential opponent who will come from the winner of the Goose Creek-Lancaster match-up. If 13 seed Lancaster can knock off 4th seed Goose Creek, the Jackets will host another home playoff game. If they make it all the way, the latest the Jackets will play is into the month of December.
Notes:
Aiken High School still made the playoffs despite of losing to NA last week 35-7, but they should have an early exit since they have to play No.1 seed Berkeley this Friday.
photo by aikenstandard.com
