It took the Tigers 10 games in what turned out to be a 10-game season. Last Friday night’s season finale for Northeast Jones yielded the Tigers with their first win and only win of the season. Northeast Jones knocked off Region 5-4A foe Newton County, 42-21.
“First, I was proud of our guys for getting the win,” said Northeast Jones head football coach Keith Braddock. “But I was proud to see the seniors go out with a win.
Our kids never quit all year. We went through some tough times and played some good teams and were close a few time. But our guys came to work every day and brought a good attitude with them. They never laid down. We came out Friday and played a team that was also struggling so, but they were playing pretty hard. Newton County didn’t play like a team that had been beaten several times.”
Northeast Jones racked up 435 yards of offense in 47 plays to get the win. Junior dual-threat quarterback Mason Smith completed 8-of-11 passes for 195 yards and rushed for another 76 yards on 11 carries. Senior wide-receiver Javier “Fafa” Magee caught the bulk of Smith’s passes, finishing with 115 yards on five catches. Smith threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another. Magee, who also rushed for six yards had a rushing touchdown as well as two receiving.
Smith and Magee’s performances earn them the honor of this week’s Sports601 Powerade Co-Players of the Week award.
“Both are great players,” said Breland. “They did a lot of things for us at different positions this year. I’m proud of them. We asked both of them to do a lot, and they did. Both guys have bright futures ahead of them.”
Braddock added both Smith and Magee are the same in many ways at the quarterback position. Both played behind center in nearly every game they were able to play in.
“Both guys are athletic,” Braddock mentioned. “They’re a lot alike because they’re dual-threat guys. They can both run and throw the ball. And they can obviously catch the ball when we put them at receiver. When you have dual-threat guys like Smith and Magee, it makes it challenging for opposing defenses.”
Magee finished the season with 542 passing yards on 36 completions. Smith tossed for another 434 on 25 completions. Smith finished with seven passing scores, while Magee threw four. Both rounded out at about 50 percent passing for the season.
“We were always looking for the win,” said Smith. “I was glad we were able to get one. It was an all-around great team effort. The offensive line blocked well. They gave me a clean pocket despite all the blitzes Newton County threw at us.”
Magee said he was glad to end his senior year with a win.
“It felt good,” said Magee. “Even though it was just one game. It’s a bummer, but it felt good to get that one and finish my senior season off with it.”
