Thomas Jefferson Jaguars lose turbulent first home game to Windsor Academy Knights

After a tough loss to Piedmont Academy Aug. 16, the Thomas Jefferson Academy Jaguars returned to their home field Friday Aug. 23, hopeful for the game to come against Windsor Academy's Knights.

The Jaguars lost one of their seniors to an injury at Piedmont, but that wouldn’t stop them from trying their best to scrape out a win. They were ready to play their hardest, no matter what.

The Jaguars won the coin toss and elected the Knights to receive the opening kick. As the football soared through the air, an atmosphere of hope was present throughout the stadium.

The Knights received the kick near the 30 and sophomore Jaguar Jake Hudson stopped the returner at the 45. The Knights drove hard, reached the red zone and barreled toward the endzone, but on a decisive 4th down at the 6, sophomore Jaguar Treb Walden stopped the Windsor running back from reaching the endzone; turnover on downs.

On first down, the Jaguars did something unexpected. They lined up behind the ball as usual, but they were one man down. A helmet sat where the left guard would usually. The Jaguars received a delay of game penalty, and both sides of the stadium erupted with applause.

The Jaguars used that moment to honor fallen teammate, former left guard Carter Gay, who died in a tragic accident earlier this year. The event sent shockwaves throughout the community. Thomas Jefferson Academy has done many things to honor Carter, and taking that penalty was the way the football team chose to remember him.

The penalty they suffered did not hurt the Jaguars in the end. They were able to reach the first down marker and continued down the field. Senior Jace Brooks received the ball behind the line of scrimmage, and with a few good blocks, had wide-open field. This 71-yard rush put the Jaguars on the board, with senior Sam Miller’s kick bringing the score to 7-0.

After receiving the ball, the Knights had a difficult drive down the field, involving several times the quarterback was forced out of the pocket and one fumble he quickly recovered. The Knights spent the rest of the quarter in a slow march all the way to the 3, where they were stopped by the clock.

The Knights managed to score the first play of the 2nd quarter, but the 2-point conversion they attempted was no good. A long kick by the Knights left the Jags at the 20. A short series of plays brought them toward the Windsor endzone, but they lost the ball after a short pass nearly missed the first down.

The Knights wasted no time striking back, connecting on a long pass to a receiver who ran the ball into the endzone. The 2-point attempt was once again thwarted by the Jags, bringing the score up to 7-12.

The Jaguars had another strong drive cut short near the 35, once again handing the ball to Windsor Academy, who once again scored with a series of long passes. The 2-point was good this time, bringing the score up to 7-20.

The Jags received the ball at the 30, but they lost more yards on a sack. Next play, the Knights once again made their way into the backfield, tackling the Jaguar quarterback, who fumbled. The Knights pick up the fumble and run it to the endzone. The 2-point was good, once again increasing the score to 7-28.

The Knights gambled on an onside kick they managed to recover, but the clock ran out before the Knights could go very far, ending the first half.

The second half began with several speedy turnovers on each side. After a short drive, the Jags punted, which was returned for around 30 yards by Windsor. After an explosive opening to their drive, Windsor turned the ball over to the Jags again. Just as quickly as it had started, the Jaguar’s drive ended with a pass intercepted by Windsor. The Knights also lost the ball shortly after gaining it, with freshman Jaguar Kason Smith recovering a fumble. The Jags’s short drive ended in a punt. Windsor then threw up a long pass to the Jaguars’ 40 but bounced off the receiver’s hands and into the gloves of sophomore Jaguar Tyler Thigpen for an interception. Jace Brooks ran the ball for a long rush bringing the Jags to the 10, where they scored with a pass, also to Brooks. The 2-point was good, putting the last points on the board for the night. The game ended soon after with a final score of 15-28.

The Jags are scheduled to host Robert Toombs Academy Friday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Thomas Jefferson Jaguars lose turbulent first home game to Windsor Academy Knights