The Jefferson Bulldogs are entering the season with plenty of talent to make a run and also plenty of inspiration. Avery Lawson, now a senior for Jefferson, has been fighting a battle of his own after being diagnosed with leukemia and having to miss all of last season.
Lawson’s Inspiration
As that fight rages on, Lawson came back earlier this year and began practicing with Jefferson’s state-qualifying 7-on-7 squad while also going through chemo treatments, according to head coach Ty Taylor. What Lawson has gone through and continues to fight inspires beyond just the football field.
He has inspired a community ready for the Bulldogs to possibly make a run in the playoffs after moving from Class 3A Division I down to 3A Division II. “He missed all of last year due to treatment but came back this spring and summer and began practicing with our 7-on-7 team despite receiving weekly chemo treatments. During this time, he never complained or made excuses but showed up every day to work, even when he wasn’t feeling good,” Taylor said.
Team Outlook
The Bulldogs have that inspiration behind them, and they have what looks like a loaded roster coming back after a 6-5 season ended with a loss in the first round of the playoffs. Sixteen returning starters and 25 seniors have the Bulldogs, ranked No. 8 in the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings, believing they can make the run they want to make.
“Our goals include winning a district championship … compete for a region and state championship,” Taylor said. “We return 25 seniors, so we have a ton of experience.” One of those seniors will be defensive end Decorian Blanton, a player who has become a rising star for the Bulldogs.
Athleticism will be another strength for the Bulldogs, who will enter the season after an extremely strong offseason of preparation. Former Liberty-Eylau standout, Tra Carson, will serve as Jefferson’s offensive coordinator, and he will have no shortage of weapons on that side of the ball.
Chance Washington is back after earning all-district honors at quarterback a season ago. Washington threw for 1,644 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and was named the preseason Offensive MVP by DCTF. Tre Moss will be a player Washington can hand the ball off to or look for in the passing game.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
