The State Quarterfinals Game of the Week takes us to Jefferson as the Dragons play in a third straight Quarterfinals game at home.
JEFFERSON
The Region Champs have once again rolled to the Quarterfinals round, and for a third straight season will be hosting that day-after-Thanksgiving game. The Dragons rely so heavily on a swarming defense, and to that end have a top-5 ranked unit. The Berardinelli brothers are a big part of that, as well as Minnesota commit Chance Payne and a big-time playmaker in Darren Pinkard. The offense has been reliable, though you never know who’s going to be the one scoring points. Whereas last season it was Gavin Markey and Dallas Russell scoring almost every time, this year has featured Max Brown (out for season), CJ Hays, Darren Pinkard, and of course QB Colton Grant. Boone Horn gets in on some plays too, and Eli Primm, Dalton Dye, Logan Edmunds and many others. There’s more variety than in the last two years.
CAIRO
The Syrupmakers have a great history. Cairo won a state title in 2008 – we were actually there for that one against Flowery Branch. They also have titles in 1990 and 1946. This Quarterfinal run is their first since 2018, and the Syrupmakers (by the way, easily the most unique name in the state) have yet to reach the Semis or further since that special ’08 team. Since starting out 0-2, Cairo has reeled off 10 straight wins, including an upset near the end of the regular season against #2-ranked Peach County. This team has three wins over ranked opponents, and are solid in every area of the game.
BY THE NUMBERS
JEFFERSON
11-1
Region Standings: 8-AAA Champions
33.08 OFFENSE AVG
10.92 DEFENSE AVG
#1 State Ranking
CAIRO
10-2
Region Standings: 1-AAA Champions
32.17 OFFENSE AVG
18.67 DEFENSE AVG
#8 State Ranking
HOW THEY STACK UP
We typically make a case for both, with our official pick linked below. Let’s begin with the home team, the Dragons. Jefferson needs another big game from Darren Pinkard – who had four TDs last week. If not him, Colton Grant, Eli Primm, or CJ Hays offensively. At any rate, they have to protect the football and cannot afford to turn it over. The more time they take off the clock, the better. The defense just needs to remain effective as it’s been all season long. The Syrupmakers will need to force the Dragons’ hand by getting out in front early. If Cairo holds a 2-possession lead, it might be tough for the Dragons to force their way back.
STATS
For Jefferson, the Dragons have gone 25-5 overall in our 30 games covered for them going back to 2013.
DETAILS OF THE MATCHUP
TIME: 7:30 PM Kickoff
PLACE: Jefferson Memorial Stadium / Jefferson, GA
LAST MEETING: 2016: #4 Jefferson 17, #5 Cairo 13 (Quarterfinals)
ALL-TIME RECORD: Jefferson leads 1-0 in the all-time series
RECORDS: #1 Jefferson Dragons (11-1) vs #8 Cairo Syrupmakers (10-2)
HEAD COACHES: Travis Noland (232-98; 28 Seasons); David Coleman (32-14; 4 Seasons)
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
Just one prior meeting, and it also was a Quarterfinals matchup nearly 10 years ago. In 2016, the Dragons traveled all the way down to Cairo, and pulled out a thrilling 17-13 victory to reach the Semifinals. Jefferson lost only two games that year, both to Thomson, who they were defeated by in non-region play early and then in those Semifinals.
TEAM LEADERS (2025 Stats)
*Stats accumulated by team-published data on Ga MaxPreps
JEFFERSON
PASSING
Colton Grant – 986 yds, 8 TD, 4 INT, 63% completion
Boone Horn – 173 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 56% copmletion
RUSHING
CJ Hays – 761 yds, 7 TD
Max Brown – 421 yds, 4 TD (out for season)
Colton Grant – 377 yds, 10 TD
Darren Pinkard – 340 yds, 6 TD
Eli Primm – 299 yds, 5 TD
Jacob Berardinelli – 67 yds, 1 TD
Griffin Drake – 65 yds, 2 TD
Boone Horn – 46 yds, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Logan Edmunds – 444 yds, 4 TD, 22 rec
Dalton Dye – 292 yds, 4 TD, 13 rec
Darren Pinkard – 276 yds, 0 TD, 14 rec
Carter Perrin – 149 yds, 0 TD, 16 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS (missing RND 1-2)
Dylan Berardinelli – 82 TKL, 8 TFL, 1 INT
Jacob Berardinelli – 76 TKL, 2 TFL
Eli Primm – 74 TKL, 1 TFL, 1 FR
Darren Pinkard – 51 TKL, 12 TFL, 5 Sacks, 2 INT
Mack Gaddis – 49 TKL, 3 TFL, 1 INT
Max Brown – 43 TKL, 11 TFL, 1 FR, 1 FF (out for season)
Jordan Robinson – 39 TKL, 6 TFL, 2 Sacks
Chance Payne – 30 TKL, 3 TFL, 1 Sack, 3 INT
CAIRO (missing 10 games of stats)
PASSING
Bryce Puckett
RUSHING
Jaylen Teall
Dray Bass
Bryian Duncan, Jr
RECEIVING
Bryian Duncan, Jr
Jaylen Teall
DEFENSIVE LEADERS (no stats)
