Jefferson J-Hawks tired of losing, approach season with winning attitude

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Rockford Jefferson’s football program has been spinning its wheels at or near the bottom of the NIC-10 for years. Just maybe the J-Hawks will gain some serious traction this season and pull out of their rut.
Here’s a look at the J-Hawks in our two-a-day preview.

You might think coming off an 0-9 season that there wouldn’t be much enthusiasm surrounding Jefferson’s football program, but that’s not the case at all. There are plenty of young men who want to be a part of this.

“Our numbers are, we’re climbing up there,” said second-year head coach Cody Casazza. “We’re expecting to have about 85 to 90 kids this year by the time the season rolls around.”

It’s not just the numbers that are encouraging, there are some true athletes here and some legit size. Let’s start with the return of senior quarterback Sebastian Bracius. He missed all of last season with a medical issue. Two years ago, as a sophomore starting on varsity, he set a school record with 20 touchdown passes.

“I’m really excited. We actually think we could do something this year,” said Bracius. “Last year we were just trying to get to know each other’s chemistry, just like trying to get to know each other.”

The J-Hawks in the trenches appear to have as much potential as they’ve had in a long time. Dontrall Fort, all 6’5 330 pounds of him returns. There’s 6’2 290-pound junior Keith Tellis, and 6’3 255-pound junior Alvin Puckett. 6’4 Blake Adrian will play on the defensive line while also playing fullback.

“We do have really key linemen,” said Bracius. This year, they’ve been in the weight room. They’ve really improved speedwise and strengthwise.”

“Our offensive and defensive linemen have been our most consistently dedicated kids in the offseason,” said Casazza.

(SCOTT) Senior tailback Lashawn Gathright is solid as a tank. He led the team in rushing last season, and Gathright’s even better when he lines up at defensive end where he was first team all-conference last year.

“He’s a workhorse,” said Casazza. “You know I’ve coached a lot of football down in the south and at the college level, LaShawn has the highest motor of any kid I’ve ever coached in my life.”

A player to watch at receiver is Mike Townsend, an athletic basketball player who has come out for football, and he looks like a natural running routes and latching onto Bracius’ passes.

“It’s very natural, but it’s the little things that matter that I need to improve, so I’m getting better every day,” said Townsend assessing his ability in football.

Dontae Love gives the J-Hawks another weapon. He’ll be a receiver, but he could also throw some passes. He stepped in at QB last year while Brascius was out.

This could be a versatile offense, but Casazza is firm in wanting the J-Hawks to be a run-first team.

“Our core identity is we’re a running football team. We’re going to run the ball.”

On defense, most of those big offensive linemen will swing over to that side with Gathright joining them on the end. Bracius, get this, will be the J-Hawks’ starting middle linebacker taking more advantage of his big frame. Basketball point guard Zyaire Hudson is out for the first time and will play in the secondary, and talented freshman Jace Schaack will see lots of action at linebacker.

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