Grossi Powers Dragons

GULFPORT - Someone apparently forgot to tell Jefferson that it was a 4-6 team.

QB Zack Grossi was on his game Friday night, throwing for scores from 57 and 58 yards in the first half and adding a rushing touchdown to lead the Dragons to a 34-16 first-round win against Boca Ciega (8-3) in a game that was never close.

The Dragons advanced to play defending state champ Plant in a regional semifinal, but after the way Jefferson played Friday, Coach Mike Fenton said he and his team are undaunted by the task.

"I feel great about next week," Fenton said. "This feels absolutely tremendous. Our guys have just been so resilient this season. It's been an emotional roller coaster all year and they managed to come out on top."

In contrast, Boca Ciega star QB Orhian Johnson was pestered by the Dragons throughout the game, resulting in consecutive sacks in the first quarter, and eight in the game.

He managed to drive the Pirates 50 yards from their goal line midway through the second, but was sacked again for a loss of 17 to swing the momentum back Jefferson's way.

And there it would stay.

"Our defense was amazing tonight," Fenton said. "They never quit."

Boca Ciega was without the full services of Mundrae Francis, the Pirates' leading scorer who suffered a high ankle sprain during last week's game and had just one touch in the first half, for 3 yards.

"He's a great football player out there," Fenton said of Francis. "But our defense was everywhere."

Jefferson61477-34Boca Ciega3076-16 J - Lewis 57 pass from Grossi (kick failed)

B - FG Klafter 25

J - Young 58 pass from Grossi (Londono kick)

J - Winters 4 run (Londono kick)

J - Winters 17 run (Londono kick)

B - Skinner 14 pass from Johnson (Klafter kick)

J - Grossi 1 run (Londono kick)

B - Skinner 20 pass from Johnson

TEAM STATISTICS JBCFirst downs 98Rushing 32-17024-126Passing 9-19-1797-19-128Total yards 349254Interceptions by 00Sacks by 80Fumbles-lost 1-12-0Penalties-yards 9-8012-115