2008 was a significant year in sports for the Jackson County area.
Whether it was football triumphs or come from behind victories, sports fans in Jackson County had a lot of different highlights to add to their scrapbooks from Jefferson, JCCHS and East Jackson, as well as several moments from Park and Rec and other area sporting events.
Here’s a look at five of the biggest sports stories of 2008, in no particular order.
Jefferson quarterback Darius Minor gets ready to send a pass down the field during the Dragons' undefeated season.
2008 was sporting year to remember
Undefeated Dragons win region
It was one of the best seasons in recent memory for the Jefferson Dragons in football. It started with a slew of region wins, all of which ended with Jefferson winning by at least 12 points.
There was a feeling of impending history in the air as the Dragons hit the field on Oct. 24 to face the only team that could cause trouble for them in the region, the North Oconee Titans.
The Titans almost proved to be Jefferson’s undoing, as they moved themselves into position to tie a game that could help decide the region championship, and could sink an undefeated season for the Dragons.
But a missed extra point by the Titans in the last few seconds of the game paved the way for Jefferson’s first region title since 1977 in their first season of 8-AA play.
The Dragons would remain undefeated through the first round of playoff action. Their season came to a premature end on Nov. 21, when Lovett sneaked an on-side kick to turn the tide in what had been a close game in the
fourth quarter. The Dragons lost 34-24, but ignited a level of excitement in the Dragon Nation that will carry over for seasons to come.
In all, Jefferson went 11-0, and 9-0 in the region.
EJCHS girls take back-to-back titles
Despite losing several key seniors, the East Jackson Lady Eagles softball team entered into the 2008 season as the defending region champs. They proved that the first season was about teamwork and not about luck, as,
under the direction of coach Jason Rainey, the Lady Eagles went out and became the 2008 region champs.
The team had a 26-9-1 overall record, and went 10-2 in the region, losing only to Union County and North Oconee in region play. The season also saw a six-game winning streak that ran from Sept. 20 to Sept. 30, with wins over Appling County, Elbert County, Lakeside, Banks County, Fannin County and Jefferson.
It was a 3-0 victory over Jefferson on Oct. 11 that sealed the deal for the Lady Eagles as region champs.
They then traveled to Dalton to take part in the northern sectionals, hoping to make their way to state play in Columbus. But East Jackson’s second strong year in softball would end in Dalton. After an initial win over Coosa to start out tournament play, the Lady Eagles fell to Greater Atlanta Christian and Adairsville.
Panthers break win drought
After going a full year without a win, the Jackson County Panthers football team finally broke the drought with a 16-10 victory over Our Lady of Mercy on Aug. 29.
The win was the first for the Panthers since their season finale in 2006, when they defeated Heritage 21-16 on Nov. 10.
While the season opener was the only victory of the year for the much-beleaguered Panthers, it was not the only close contest for the team. Jackson County just missed a second victory in their next game, losing to Sonoraville 16-14. They next went on to tie Prince Avenue Christian 12-12 on Sept. 19.
After suffering a series of blowouts, the Panthers came close to picking up win number two at the Granite Bowl in Elberton, losing by two points to Elbert County, 25-23.
Regardless of how the season ended, the Panthers were able to break back into the win column in 2008, and showed that their program is beginning to move back towards a winning path.
Fleeman bags World Crown win
It proved to be one of the wildest and most unpredictable World Crown weekends in the 25-year history of the event.
First was the fact that drivers and teams had to face the toughest tech inspector in the southeast, Ricky Brooks. Brooks, a no-nonsense, by the book tech inspector made drivers toe the line, and on the Saturday night prior to the World Crown, no less than 20 drivers were disqualified, including the entire field of sportsman and truck division drivers, along with the second place finisher in Saturday’s 100-lap Super Late model event, and the pole sitter for Sunday’s feature event.
On Sunday, it looked like three-time and defending World Crown champ Paul Kelley would run away with the win, as he dominated much of the first part of the event.
Meanwhile, 2008 GAS series champ Russell Fleeman suffered a cut tire, and found himself fighting to get back on the lead lap.
Fleeman not only regained that lap, but also came back through the field to take the lead with 40 laps remaining. The Dacula racer would hold off Commerce’s Taylor Satterfield and Kelley for his first victory in the storied short track event in several years of trying.
But the drama wasn’t over. Brooks had Fleeman’s engine pulled and taken to a local shop for closer examination. Finally, word came down around 3:30 p.m. the next day that Fleeman’s car was legal, and he was the 2008 World Crown champion.
For the rest of the top five stories of 2008, as well as honorable mentions for the year, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
It was one of the best seasons in recent memory for the Jefferson Dragons in football. It started with a slew of region wins, all of which ended with Jefferson winning by at least 12 points.
There was a feeling of impending history in the air as the Dragons hit the field on Oct. 24 to face the only team that could cause trouble for them in the region, the North Oconee Titans.
The Titans almost proved to be Jefferson’s undoing, as they moved themselves into position to tie a game that could help decide the region championship, and could sink an undefeated season for the Dragons.
But a missed extra point by the Titans in the last few seconds of the game paved the way for Jefferson’s first region title since 1977 in their first season of 8-AA play.
The Dragons would remain undefeated through the first round of playoff action. Their season came to a premature end on Nov. 21, when Lovett sneaked an on-side kick to turn the tide in what had been a close game in the
fourth quarter. The Dragons lost 34-24, but ignited a level of excitement in the Dragon Nation that will carry over for seasons to come.
In all, Jefferson went 11-0, and 9-0 in the region.
Lady Eagles teammates confer on the mound. Photo by Brandon Reed
Despite losing several key seniors, the East Jackson Lady Eagles softball team entered into the 2008 season as the defending region champs. They proved that the first season was about teamwork and not about luck, as,
under the direction of coach Jason Rainey, the Lady Eagles went out and became the 2008 region champs.
The team had a 26-9-1 overall record, and went 10-2 in the region, losing only to Union County and North Oconee in region play. The season also saw a six-game winning streak that ran from Sept. 20 to Sept. 30, with wins over Appling County, Elbert County, Lakeside, Banks County, Fannin County and Jefferson.
It was a 3-0 victory over Jefferson on Oct. 11 that sealed the deal for the Lady Eagles as region champs.
They then traveled to Dalton to take part in the northern sectionals, hoping to make their way to state play in Columbus. But East Jackson’s second strong year in softball would end in Dalton. After an initial win over Coosa to start out tournament play, the Lady Eagles fell to Greater Atlanta Christian and Adairsville.
Quarterback, Alex Crawford (12) fires off a pass during JCCHS’ season opening win on Aug. 29. Photo by Justin Poole
After going a full year without a win, the Jackson County Panthers football team finally broke the drought with a 16-10 victory over Our Lady of Mercy on Aug. 29.
The win was the first for the Panthers since their season finale in 2006, when they defeated Heritage 21-16 on Nov. 10.
While the season opener was the only victory of the year for the much-beleaguered Panthers, it was not the only close contest for the team. Jackson County just missed a second victory in their next game, losing to Sonoraville 16-14. They next went on to tie Prince Avenue Christian 12-12 on Sept. 19.
After suffering a series of blowouts, the Panthers came close to picking up win number two at the Granite Bowl in Elberton, losing by two points to Elbert County, 25-23.
Regardless of how the season ended, the Panthers were able to break back into the win column in 2008, and showed that their program is beginning to move back towards a winning path.
Russell Fleeman came from a lap down to record his first career win in the storied World Crown at Peach State Speedway. Photo by Brandon Reed
It proved to be one of the wildest and most unpredictable World Crown weekends in the 25-year history of the event.
First was the fact that drivers and teams had to face the toughest tech inspector in the southeast, Ricky Brooks. Brooks, a no-nonsense, by the book tech inspector made drivers toe the line, and on the Saturday night prior to the World Crown, no less than 20 drivers were disqualified, including the entire field of sportsman and truck division drivers, along with the second place finisher in Saturday’s 100-lap Super Late model event, and the pole sitter for Sunday’s feature event.
On Sunday, it looked like three-time and defending World Crown champ Paul Kelley would run away with the win, as he dominated much of the first part of the event.
Meanwhile, 2008 GAS series champ Russell Fleeman suffered a cut tire, and found himself fighting to get back on the lead lap.
Fleeman not only regained that lap, but also came back through the field to take the lead with 40 laps remaining. The Dacula racer would hold off Commerce’s Taylor Satterfield and Kelley for his first victory in the storied short track event in several years of trying.
But the drama wasn’t over. Brooks had Fleeman’s engine pulled and taken to a local shop for closer examination. Finally, word came down around 3:30 p.m. the next day that Fleeman’s car was legal, and he was the 2008 World Crown champion.
For the rest of the top five stories of 2008, as well as honorable mentions for the year, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
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