Eagles ready to soar
Second-year Head Coach Sean Jessie makes no secret that he and his team are looking for more this fall.
“We won six games and we went to the playoffs last year,” Jessie said. “This year, we want to go a step further.
“We want to win a playoff game and make it to the championship game.”
The Eagles will begin their quest for a second-consecutive playoff berth Thursday, Aug. 6, when they host Lenoir City at Blankenship Field. Kickoff for this season opener for both teams is slated for 6 p.m.
Jefferson has several players back from last year’s squad whot qualified for the postseason.
Jessie noted that the Eagles are deep at running back.
They also have experience on both the offensive and defensive fronts and at linebacker.
“I would say that our strengths are on ... both lines, and at running back and at linebacker, all the box guys,” Jessie said.
Nic Fletcher, an eighth-grader, returns after a successful 2025 campaign. He’ll play running back and outside linebacker.
Other key returners for the Eagles include Karson Ball, an eighth-grader who will play on both the offensive and defensive lines; Isaac Hernandez, an eighth-grader who will play running back and outside linebacker; Tyson Shelle, an eighth-grader who will play H-back and inside linebacker; Landon DeLong, an eighth-grader who will play offensive line and inside linebacker; Neylan Johnson, an eighth-grader who will play on the offensive and defensive lines; Brycen Stott, an eighth-grader who will play wide receiver, outside linebacker and kicker; DeMarcus Wright, an eighth-grader who will play wide receiver and defensive back; and Braylon Knipp, a seventh-grader who will play quarterback and defensive back.
Top newcomers include Krishawn Lee and Jordyn Cantu.
Lee is an eighth-grader who will play wide receiver and outside linebacker. Cantu, a seventh-grader, will play running back and outside linebacker.
Areas of concern for Jessie and Jefferson include inexperience at some key positions.
“We’re inexperienced in the secondary and at quarterback and wide receiver, and we’ll just have to get those guys some experience,” Jessie said. “The only way for you to really do that is to get them experience on Thursday nights.
“We have some talent, but we’re just inexperienced.”
