DEON JACKSON RACES AHEAD FOR A BIG GAIN He led all rushers in the Jamboree with 89 yards on four carries. Last Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. the Washington-Wilkes Tigers took on the Greene County Tigers in the 2008 football season jamboree. This year's format was different from years past: instead of treating the jamboree like a regular game, each team got alternating drives of twelve plays starting on its own 40-yard line. In order to maximize repetitions, no special teams were used with the exception of extra points.

In the first half, both Washington- Wilkes' and Greene County's offenses had two drives of twelve plays. Greene County started off the game from its own 40-yard line. The Washington-Wilkes defense set the tone for the game when defensive lineman Larry Raiford tackled the Greene County running back for a three-yard loss. The Greene County drive stalled after an incomplete pass, a 12-yard run, and a loss of eight on fourth down.

Due to the agreed-upon format, Greene County started over with a new series of downs on its own 40- yard line. The Tiger defense once again stopped the Greene County offense aided by a sack by junior linebacker Tyrance Ashmore and a holding penalty against Greene County. In the remainder of Greene County's first offensive session the Tigers achieved their first first down of the night on a 41-yard pass that ended up being their longest play of the night from scrimmage.

THAT TIGER OF ANOTHER COLOR AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE AGAINST THE W-W DEFENSE Greene struggled throughout the jamboree and managed to get only 80 yards of offense. The Washington-Wilkes Tiger offense then took over to begin its first 12-play session of the game. On the Tiger's first play from scrimmage, junior running back Deandre Stewart broke free for a gain of nine yards. Following a five yard penalty against the Tigers, quarterback Ty McGill connected with sophomore split end Desmond Jackson for a gain of 17 yards and a first down. After a short a gain, McGill hit Stewart in the flats for a 20-yard gain and another first down. Three short runs by McGill and a Tiger fumble on the exchange ended the first drive. Washington-Wilkes ended its first offensive session with a holding penalty, a sack, and couple of short runs by sophomore running back Eric Scott.

Greene County found more success in its second session, reeling off three first downs and moving the ball to the Washington-Wilkes 15-yard line aided by a pass interference penalty against the Tigers. The Greene County drive was stalled due to consecutive sacks by defensive ends Drew Wilson and Akeimos Coleman. After a couple of short runs, Greene County's second offensive session ended with no points scored.

Washington-Wilkes then started its second offensive session with the ball on the 40-yard line. Behind the running of Scott and Deon Jackson, the Tigers drove the ball to the Greene County 20-yard line before being stopped on downs. Starting back over on the 40, the Tigers managed a couple of short gains before Jackson took a pitch from McGill and raced 60 yards for the Tiger's first touchdown of the season. Sophomore kicker Tom Saggus then knocked through the extra point to give Washington-Wilkes a 7-0 lead going in to halftime

In the second half each team was supposed to run four plays from the 10-yard line, followed by a session of 10 plays from their own 40-yard line. However, late in the first half Washington-Wilkes lost quarterback Ty McGill to a hand injury. With quarterback Teverrius Jones already on the sidelines for the night, the Tiger coaches decided to forego their last offensive session.

Greene County started the half off from the Washington-Wilkes 10, and were unable to score due to a total gain of minus two yards in four plays. The Greene County offense the started its session of 10 plays from the 40-yard line. The Tiger defense was able to keep the Greene County offense from having much success in its last session, thus ending the varsity portion of the jamboree with Washington-Wilkes on top 7-0.

In the forth quarter both teams played their reserve and junior varsity players. Young players on both sides played well with Greene County managing a touchdown and an extra point.

Both Washington-Wilkes and Greene County played well on both sides of the ball. Washington- Wilkes' offense was led by Jackson with 89 yards on four carries and one touchdown. Scott added 47 yards on seven carries and McGill was threefor three passing for 36 yards. Defensively, Washington-Wilkes used 26 different players and held Greene County to less than two yards a play. Standouts on defense included Drew Wilson, Tyrance Ashmore, Justin Guin, and Larry Raiford.

This week Washington-Wilkes hosts Banks County in the 2008 season opener for both teams. Banks County is led by Division I prospect running back Justin Beasley. The Tigers defeated the Leopards twice in the 2007 season. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Tiger Stadium.