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For the second year in a row, the Gryphons football team make the third round of the playoffs, but fall again. The effort was there, but second half turnovers doomed Thomas Jefferson in a 33-28 road loss to Community School of Davidson (12-2). Rutherford County hasn't made the fourth round of the football playoffs since 1992.
Only six Rutherford County teams have went three rounds in football since 1992. Thomas Jefferson (2014, 2015) Chase (1995, 1998) and East Rutherford (2004, 2005).
Thomas Jefferson had been winning the turnover and field position battle lately, but not last week.
As for last Friday, Thomas Jefferson grabbed the early lead on 25-yard pass from Nick Mintz to Jaylon Simmons early in the second quarter. The Gryphons made two defensive stands and held the Spartans to two field goals, but a touchdown gave CSOD a 12-7 halftime lead.
Thomas Jefferson fumbled twice in the second half to give CSOD the ball inside the Gryphons 25. CSOD scored both times. CSOD's Justice Woods and Holden Rizzo are great receivers that give the Spartans solid deep threats downfield and they both scored as well in the contest.
Down by 12 twice, the Gryphons came back to make it back to five. Simmons made the play of night when a ball hit off a Spartan defender and he zipped by to take it 53 yards on the reception to set up a touchdown. Nick Norris made a leaping catch to keep a drive alive that led to another Thomas Jefferson touchdown.
The Gryphons were driving in the final minute, but on fourth down with 15 seconds left, a pass fell incomplete down the Gryphons sideline and ended the season.
Simmons was the player of the game for TJCA with 12 receptions, 161 yards and two touchdowns. Mintz and Seth McCraw put up hard-nosed rushing efforts, scoring on the ground once each. Thomas Jefferson ends the season at 10-3. And kudos to Coach Jerry Cash for a 20-7 mark the last two seasons.
Girls basketball Previews
R-S Central (21-6, 14-2 last year)
The whole starting lineup is back and so is Central's dominant player. Te'ja Twitty did everything a team could ask of her a year ago for the Lady Hilltoppers. Twitty (now a senior) finished with 26.6 points and 15 rebounds per game last year. Inside force Kyra Davis (11 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last year) and guard, Aliyah Whitesides (6 points 2.7 assists per game last year) are also capable scoring threats. Guards, Alina Chavez, Breyuana Lynch started nearly every game last season and do a good job defensively for the Hilltoppers. Sarai Barbee (Guard), Haley White (Forward) and Chloe Parton (Guard) all played valuable minutes last year. Jada Logan (Guard/Forward) should make the most impact as a newcomer.
R-S Central went four rounds a year ago and are deep enough to make a legitimate run in the SMAC and in 2A.
East Rutherford (6-10, 10-14 last year)
They lost one key player from a season ago, but this young group should be better than a year ago.
Sharp Shooter, Emily Elgin paces the Lady Cavs offense, while Kendra Ross leads them in rebounding and defense. Paris Baker (Guard), Montana Hollifield (Forward) and Ashley Wright (Forward) either all started or saw significant playing time a season ago. Amaiya Williams and Brooklyn Henderson are two newcomers to watch.
If the Lady Cavs are better defensively and can mature quickly, they could also threaten in the SMAC and be a scary match up in the playoffs.
Chase (0-23, 0-16 last year)
It can only get better for the Lady Trojans who went winless last season. So far, they already have a win in three games this season and luckily everybody is back.
Four starters return in Makayla Gordon, Kealynn Watkins, Takirah McKinney and Alexis Bomer. Gordon and Watkins should be their top scorers again, but McKinney keeps the Trojans solid at three guards in the lineup. Bomer isn't much of a scorer, but she does help in the rebounding effort. They also have Ashlynn Littlejohn as a newcomer that should help out in the post.
There is no doubt that Chase will be better this season, but how much is still in question.
Thomas Jefferson (3-16, 2-10)
The Lady Gryphons will be young this season. They relied heavily on the inside play of Alyssa and Autumn Edwards last year. Both have now graduated. Guard play should be the angle this season. Defensively has been a problem, but this season depends maybe more so on who can score consistently for Thomas Jefferson.
