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PAGE 2B - THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2007 Dragons Vs. Screaming Devils In 2nd Round Of State Playoffs By Allen Luton The Jefferson football team will travel to Warren County for its second game against the Scream ing Devils this season on Friday night. The Dragons hope the re turn trip home this time will be more enjoyable than the last one. Back on Sept. 21, the Scream ing Devils handed Jefferson its second loss through the first three games of the season, win ning 40-28, thanks in large part to quarterback Tommy Seals who accounted for five Warren Coun ty touchdowns on the night. Since then, the Dragons (8-3) have reeled off six wins in seven games, knocked off arch-rival Commerce for the first time in 12 years, and won their first playoff contest since 2003. They hope to make even more history, as a Jefferson team has not won a second-round playoff game in 30 years. Warren County earned the top seed out of a tough Region 7-A that includes two-time defending Class A state champion Lincoln County. “Warren County’s one of the top four teams in the state. We know that because we played them down there,” Jefferson head coach Bill Navas said. “We know that we ei ther go down there and know that they beat us last time and it might be uglier. Or, they might be a little bit big-headed and we might be a little bit more excited and come out and play well.” Last Friday, the Dragons strug gled early, but come on strong in the second half to defeat Bow- don 24-13. Fullback Tyler Hill had a pair of touchdown runs on the night, including a 52-yard scamper in the fourth quarter that helped seal the victory. “That was a zone play and I just went out and had a hole there,” Hill said of his final touchdown run. “Our linemen just basically stepped up and started blocking better.” Hill leads his team in rushing and has eight 100-yard games and 18 touchdowns to his credit this season. During the loss to Warren County earlier this year, Hill had a career night, running for 222 yards on 32 carries with a pair of touchdowns. He’ll be looking for similar success on Friday in Warrenton. “It means another game for me, because I’m a senior, it’s one more game I can play,” Hill said of the first round triumph last Fri day. “We’re ready to play them. We’d love to get revenge because they beat us last time.” One thing the Dragons will look to do this time around is contain Seals a bit better. The athletic signal-caller torched the JHS de fense in the earlier meeting for five touchdowns and 180 yards rushing. As a team, the Devils ran for 361 yards on the night. Since that loss though, the Jefferson de fense has played pretty well. Last week’s win over Bowdon saw Mack Rakestraw lead the way with nine tackles on the night as the Dragons allowed just 13 points. Over the last five games, Jefferson has held its opponents to just 13.4 points per contest, and claimed victory at all but one of those affairs. “It’s a great opportunity,” Navas said. “We’re in the Sweet 16, we’re going to practice on Thanksgiv ing Day, so I’m just excited. I don’t care who we’re playing.” Sleighbell 5K Set Dec. 1 In Winterville The East Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its 22nd annual Sleighbell 5k Run/Walk Saturday, Dec. 1. The event will be held at the pavilion at Pittard Park on North Church Street, Winterville. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds will benefit local disaster services of the East Georgia chapter of the Red Cross. For more information, or to register, visit www.sleighbell.org or call 706-353-1645. NEED PRINTING? CALL 706-367-5233 You're Invited! HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1,2007 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. @ OPERA HOUSE DANCE ACADEMY (Have your picture taken with Santa Clans and enjoy breakfast) SECRET SANTA WORKSHOP 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. @ COMMERCE SCHOOL OF DANCE [Shop in a store designed just for kids. All gifts are priced under SI0, For kids ages 5-12) HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS HOT ROD & ANTIQUE CAR SHOW 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. @ SPENCER PARK PARKING LOTS DOWNTOWN LOFT AND BUSINESS OPEN HOUSE 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. @ VARIOUS DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS (Tour our local heritage hot spots and witness downtown’s completed and ongoing renovations) COMMERCE CHRISTMAS PARADE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2,2007 3:00 p.m. START TIME PARADE THROUGH HISTORIC DOWNTOWN COMMERCE Theme: ‘‘Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" CHRISTMAS CONCERT - THE SEED & FEED BAND 5:00 p.m, (after parade) @ SPENCER PARK FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS! ::: commerce::^:::: A City tip? The tiigtt Track FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS! For more information, call (706) 335-2954.