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PAGE 4B THE JACKSON HERALD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP A DEEPER LOOK Behind the scenes: A day in the finals The Jackson Herald was granted behind- the-scenes access for the Jefferson football team's state championship game against Marist. Here is a log of the day's events from reporter Ben Munro. 11:50 a.m. —A masked-up Jefferson football team loads up on four charter buses destined for Atlanta. A busy morning has included offensive and defensive walk throughs, breakfast, brunch and an inspira tional movie (Disney’s “Safety”). Noon — The convoy of buses carrying a travel party of 113 people pulls out and heads south on Memorial Drive where red-and-blue-clad Jefferson fans have lined both sides of the street to send the team off. 12:20 p.m. — Out on the road, the mood on Jefferson bus No. 4 — which includes some of the younger Dragon players on the roster, the team's stat crew and two media members (including this reporter) — is subdued. Some players are napping, while others listen to headphones or look out of the window. 1:05 p.m. — The team has arrived at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium. In the locker room, a GHS A official welcomes the Dragons and congratulates them for reaching the finals. He also reminds them that the “big eye will be on everybody” in the televised state finals. 1:58 p.m. — The mood is relaxed and easy-going during pregame in the locker room. Some players have their ankles taped on the training table while others take in the broadcast of the Callaway-Fitzgerald finals game. 2:47 p.m. — The mood becomes much more serious when head coach Gene Cath ead delivers a spirited pre-game message, which includes a reference to the book of Samuel and the Old Testament to remind his team of when David slew the Philistine Goliath with a rock. 3:38 p.m. — Kickoff arrives. Jefferson immediately deals with bad field position, something that would become a theme of the day. 3:53 p.m. — Jefferson faces a quick 14-0 deficit after first-quarter touchdowns runs from Marist's George Parker and Champ Davis. 4:15 p.m. —Jordan Perry’s second of his two touchdowns, which sees him escape the grasp of three Marist defenders behind the line of scrimmage, ties the game 14-14. 4:44 p.m. — Jefferson's halftime locker room is upbeat with the Dragons having re bounded from a slow start. The players take in instructions from offensive and defensive coaches. Cathcart tells his team intensity is the key in the second half. “The team who plays with emotion will lose. The team who plays with intensity will win.” 5:35 p.m. — Marist’s Ian Otten scores on a 6-yard run, giving the War Eagles a 23-14 lead with 10:58 left in the game. Jef ferson has been unable to overcome poor field position during the entire second half. 5:55 p.m. — Marist goes into victory formation, having outscored the Dragons 16-0 in the second half. 6:13 p.m. — The postgame locker room is quiet, with some players holding back tears as hopes of a state championship and the school’s first 15-0 season have come to an end. Cathcart tells his players the two best teams in Class AAAA had just slugged it out. “We didn’t lose.” he tells the team. “We got beat. There's a huge difference. It may feel the same, but it isn’t the same ... I want you to understand you don't have to have a ring on your finger to be family and one of the teams I’m most proud of in my whole life.” Photo by Ben Munro Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart delivers a speech to his Dragon team before they take the field in the state finals Tues day (Dec. 29) against Marist. Photo by Ben Munro Jefferson’s Kam Robinson gets ready in the locker room prior to the Dragons’ state finals game with Marist Tuesday (Dec. 29). Athlete of the Week! sponsored by: HYMAN BROWN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. SOUTHERN TRUST INSURANCE COMPANY Ellie Kinlaw Jefferson High School Jefferson basketball player Ellie Kinlaw scored a career-high 28 points in the Dragons’ 84-62 win on Dec. 22 against Calhoun. HYMAN BROWN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 11 State Street • Commerce (706) 335-3900 I 14