HOSCHTON, Ga. — At around 10 p.m. last Friday, the Jackson County community found itself in unfamiliar and unprecedented territory for the second time in three weeks.
They had just watched their Panthers rout Glynn Academy 50-7 in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to snag the program’s first-ever playoff win. It only took seven tries and 45 years.
The win easily marked the most significant moment in the program’s long history. The next biggest one was the one that had happened just two weeks prior, when they routed Habersham Central to claim the program’s first region title in history.
So, where do they go from here? Perhaps they could get a shot at playing the reigning state champions next, just to name one.
Interestingly enough, that’s just what they’ll get to do.
The Panthers will play host to two-time defending Class 5A state champion Milton, which won its 11th straight playoff game last week (35-17 over Shiloh).
“DEMONS, BE GONE!”
The accolades and congratulations that Panthers head coach Korey Mobbs has received for the program over the past few weeks have been more than appreciated, he said. But for him, the biggest win has been off the field — exorcising the demons of 45 years of almost non-existence for the program.
“I feel like we’ve gotten rid of the idea of what Jackson County was. You know, that program that had never won anything,” he said. “Now, we’re at the point where we can continue chasing what the ultimate goal is for this season.”
Of course, every team left in the playoffs in every classification at this point has eyes on the trophy. If the Panthers (10-1) want to continue their historic ride in the 2025 postseason, they will have to find a way to knock off the only team in Georgia to win state titles each of the past two seasons. But do they TRULY know what is in store for them?
IGNORANCE IS BLISS, RIGHT?
The successful teams are able to ignore the name on the jerseys. For most of the Panthers’ 45 years, that has been the biggest hurdle. But as Mobbs said, they may have put that issue out to pasture.
They have played former state champions in the past. But never with anything at stake. But sometimes it’s better not to know what’s on the line and just go experience it, right?
“I think so. I think when I say our guys don’t know any better, that’s just a way of saying our guys play with confidence, and they play as hard as they can. And you know, those two ingredients have been really good to us,” Mobbs said. “They don’t care who they’re playing. We can only control ourselves, and then how we respond to adversity in a game. And we’ve done that this year.”
Jackson County is a 1-point underdog at home, according to the Maxwell ratings, meaning even at home, where they are a perfect 6-0 and have won by an average of 44.0 points/game this season, the so-called experts expect them to lose.
WHERE’S THE R.E.S.P.E.C.T?
The Panthers have no history beyond this point. The Eagles are making their ninth straight trip to the Sweet 16. They are 6-2 in that span and have won five straight 2nd round games. They have played a tougher schedule (Buford, Gainesville, Roswell). The Panthers’ toughest game was clearly a 10-3 loss to Jefferson in a back-alley brawl on the road. Their best win, at least until last week, was a close 30-26 road victory over Class 6A playoff team Dacula.
It seems like a logical equation to give the edge to the defending champs.
“Obviously, you don’t win two state championships in a row if you’re not well coached, and it’s exciting to, you know, play in a ball game of this magnitude,” Mobbs said. “I think everybody in the state of Georgia will say Milton is the favorite, as they should be. The good news is, it’s not a World Series. It’s one game and, you know, we hope that our guys are up to the challenge.”
While this Milton team is not as star-packed as the last two seasons, when nearly a dozen top-flight Power 4 players moved on to play on Saturdays, they have restocked with some younger talent, like sophomore quarterback Ben Halevi (74-of-123, 1,362 yards, 17 TD, 1 INT) and senior running back Bentley Hickman (153-1,196 yards, 16 TD). The Eagles’ defense is led by junior linebacker Blaize Battaglia (110 tkl, 7.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 13 QB hurries, 2 FF).
“WE’RE STANDING RIGHT HERE!”
But there’s been little mention or major recruiting activity surrounding the Jackson County roster. Senior quarterback RJ Knapp III (107-of-166, 1,849 yards, 17 TD, 3 INT passing; 25-145 yards rushing) is a third-year starter. Another three-year starter is senior running back Daylon Maxwell (192-1,588 yards 24 TD rushing; 14-290 yards receiving), who finished 2nd in Class 5A in rushing and is averaging over 170 yards/game from scrimmage.
Sophomore linebacker Noah Bade (98 tkls, 8 TFL, 4 sacks, 9 QB hurries, 4 blocked kicks) has had a breakout season. Senior defensive linemen Deacon Wiley and Slade Swierczek have 36 TFL and 6.5 combined sacks. Seven different players have INTs this season. The special teams unit has blocked 8 kicks this season.
“You know, our kids believe they can compete with whoever the next team on our schedule is,” Mobbs said. “Milton obviously speaks for itself, back-to-back state champs.”
GETTING A (PLAYOFF) LIFE!
Until this year, life after the first week of November in Hoschton typically involved getting ready for basketball and wrestling seasons. Perhaps making those Thanksgiving Day plans with family.
All of that has been put on hold. The Panthers community is hoping they will have other events to put on the calendar.
“I think it’s exciting for our kids, but we’re going to try to make it as business as usual, like we always do,” Mobbs said. “I think that’s a compliment to the progress we’ve made to get to play this game.
“Our approach will not change with our kids. It’s the next one in the line of boxes to check, so people can no longer say this is the same old Jackson County.”
I don’t think anyone is thinking that anymore after last week, which was the goal all along.
The post Football: Panthers looking for R.E.S.P.E.C.T, and a win, vs. defending champs appeared first on AccessWdun.
