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Thomas Jefferson has finally won a football playoff game!
The past two seasons, both have ended in first round playoff losses. This past Friday, Coach Jerry Cash and his players earned the school’s first ever playoff win on the gridiron. The Gryphons Tyler Mitchell came up big when they needed him too. Following South Stanly’s only lead of the game at 8-6 in the first half, Mitchell took an 85-yard kickoff to the house and then he finalized the game with a 50-yard touchdown reception to cap a 33-14 win.
Not only was this the first playoff win in school history, but it sends a firm message to all the doubters who disbelieved in the Gryphons developing a football programs a few years back.
“I’m so proud of these kids, Tyler Mitchell had a special night.” Coach Cash said. “The kids stepped up defensively and maybe we scored a little too quick or had short drives at times which put our defense on the field longer than I would like. The two quarterbacks played pretty well too. We will celebrate this weekend and then get ready for next Friday.”
Senior, Mason Martin posted 101 yard rushing and landed in the end zone three times on a historical, but bitter cold night in Avondale.
“This is a huge win for our program and this was one our goals when we had a senior meeting early in the season” Mason Martin said. “I’m proud of this group of guys and how our offensive line really played tonight. They sealed their blocks well and made the holes to give the running room we really needed.”
The Gryphons also had 5 defensive sacks on the night thanks to Michael Minder, Bradley Freels, Coty Flynn and Steven Hargro.
Meanwhile, R-S Central went on the road and proved that they too can win a playoff game. The Hilltoppers tough scheduled panned out as they downed Bandys 29-26. It’s the second time in the last five years that they have won a football playoff game. Before 2009, it was 22 years previous that they had accomplished the feat.
Bandys and R-S Central went back an forth all night, but the Hilltoppers Trey Clark tossed a pass late in the game to Matt Atchley, who took the ball to the Bandys one yard line and Clark pushed across the goal line for the game winner seconds later. On Bandy’s last possession, R-S Central’s Nick Johnson came up with the interception to seal the deal. The Hilltoppers have been the comeback kids as of late. They came back to beat Burns, Chase and now Bandys, which advances them to the second round.
On the other hand, East Rutherford led the whole way against Mt. Pleasant, but ended up falling just short of an upset bid on the road, 20-19. The Cavaliers held a 19-7 lead, which included a Saibyn Ruff touchdown and a A.J. Simmons blocked punt. The blocked punt also set up Simmons catch and run touchdown from 46 yards to extend their lead early in the fourth quarter.
(2) Thomas Jefferson vs. Pine Lake Prep (7): The Gryphons already beat them at home 27-18 this season. However, second chance meetings usually don’t go the way of the first. Both teams will have a chance to adjust since they are familiar. Pine Lake’s Austin Cook rushed for four touchdowns a week ago in their first ever school playoff win. Of course stopping the run will be a huge priority, the Gryphons must bring that same confidence into this Friday’s game.
(9) R-S Central at (1) East Lincoln: The hill just got steeper for the Hilltoppers, who will face a very athletic and undefeated East Lincoln Mustang team. The Mustangs feature left handed quarterback Chazz Surratt, who has throw for over 3,000 yard and run for another 800. If the Hilltoppers play the pass well and find a solid spy on quarterback Surratt, we could see a second consecutive playoff victory.
Another great season of high school football came to an end earlier than Chesnee (10-2, 7-0) wished for 2014. Chesnee opened the season with a loss to Broome and then won ten straight. They won the regular season regional title and even collected a victory in the playoffs. However, Keenan put this season to a halt with a 60-39 loss at home last Friday. The two teams were close until Keenan pulled away after halftime.
