Since arriving at Jenkins in 2017, Jason Cameron has kept the Warriors on track.
Jenkins began playing football in 1957 and only have had seven playoff appearances – four under head coach Tim Adams, who had had first-round exits in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and a second-round exit in 2016. Jenkins also made its only semifinal appearance in 1966 under coach Richard "Bubba" Attwood. Since Cameron's arrival, Jenkins and its fan base do not know what it means to miss the playoffs after so many seasons of doing just that.
Cameron has led the Warriors to back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in each of the last two seasons, and Jenkins is primed for another playoff run. The Warriors entered the rankings at No. 9 this week after a 41-8 victory against Beach, which moved the program to 6-0 in Region 3 play. Jenkins (7-1 overall) lost 29-26 to Class AAAAA South Effingham in Week 2, but since entering region play with a 59-0 victory against Savannah on Sept. 13, it has been smooth sailing for the Warriors.
Jenkins favors the run and is averaging 206.3 rushing yards and 127 passing yards. The Warriors have scored 42 touchdowns, 22 rushing (17 from junior Damazzio Harris). Of the 14 receiving touchdowns, senior Kyree McLean has six. The Warriors defense has accounted for four touchdowns, with one punt return and one kickoff return for a touchdown.
Here's the breakdown on how Jenkins is getting it done:
Quarterback: Junior quarterback Patrick Blake is 63-of-107 passing for 975 yards and 13 touchdowns, with two interceptions. In the victory against Savannah, Blake was 5-of-8 for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Troy Smith and senior Ronald Cooper III also have passed for one touchdown each.
Backfield: Harris, a 5-foot-10 back, leads Jenkins with 100 carries for 984 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has run for more than 100 yards in five games. In Jenkins' loss to South Effingham, Harris rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Donovan Hall has added 25 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Cooper III and Kirhon Jones have rushed for one touchdown each.
Receivers: McClean has 13 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns. Cooper III has eight catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Kian Gary has 11 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Darius Bush has seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Rayqwon Allen has five catches for 51 yard and one touchdown.
Defense: Senior Joah Cash, a 6-2, 218-pound outside linebacker and defensive end, leads with 31 solo tackles and 12 assists and 13 tackles for loss. Senior Taurus Simmons, a 6-3, 205-pound defensive end, has added 30 solo tackles and 12 assists with 12 tackles for loss and three sacks. Senior Daylan Dotson, a 6-2, 230-pound defensive end, has 24 solo tackles and 17 assists with seven tackles for loss. Junior Clarence Betterson, a 5-10, 240-pound defensive tackle, has 20 solo tackles and 10 assists with 11 tackles for loss. Junior Jacquez Williams has 19 solo tackles with 14 assists and a team-leading 15 tackles for loss with six sacks and one fumble returned for a touchdown. Junior Tony Edwards has 18 solo tackles, nine assists and seven tackles for loss with three sacks and one fumble returned for a touchdown. Cooper III adds 16 solo tackles with 10 assists. Senior Akelo Stone has 16 solo tackles, 10 assists and 10 tackles for loss. Senior Dontavious Hamilton has 15 solo tackles with seven assists. Senior Dajon Morgan has 13 solo tackles with seven assists. Senior Edward Osborne and junior Charles Williams each have one interception returned for a touchdown.
Special Teams: Cooper III has one punt return 44 yards for a touchdown. Bush returned a kickoff 66 yards for a touchdown. Senior Hyland Generlette is 8-of-11 on point-after attempts. Freshman Michael Becton is 1-for-1 on point-after attempts.
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