Football: Jefferson 46, Middleton 0

TAMPA — After two disappointing losses to open the season, Jefferson hoped to turn its season around Friday against Middleton. Even though five starters were sidelined due to injuries or suspensions, Jefferson dominated on both sides of the ball in a 46-0 shutout for their first victory.

"We had to prove a point, to show who we really are," Jefferson defender Julius German said. "We kept it at zero points tonight and we have to keep it moving forward."

After getting ejected in his first game this season against Gaither, quarterback Tre Simmons found confidence in the pocket, throwing four touchdowns and running for another. He completed 14 passes for 243 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Charles Williams and a 27-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Howard in the corner of the end zone.

“It felt good that we started to click as a unit,” Simmons said. “At first we had our differences, but tonight we showed we got it together.”

The Dragons kept steady pressure on Middleton quarterback Gabe Weldon throughout the game and held the Tigers scoreless with a goal-line stand in the first quarter.

With Jefferson leading 6-0, Middleton’s offense drove downfield again but the drive was thwarted by German’s interception near the goal line. That turnover set up Jefferson rusher Jermaine Burnett’s second rushing touchdown of the game.

"That hyped the team and brought the momentum up," German said. "We started scoring. We started getting stops and we shut the team out today."

Simmons led the offense downfield right before halftime, capping a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. His four second-half touchdown passes activated a running clock as Middleton’s pass-focused offense never got off the ground.

The win was Jefferson’s fifth straight over Middleton.