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Last season, the Athens Drive Jaguars surprised many with their impressive regular season. The Jags went 9-3 overall, including a 4-2 conference mark which earned them the Tri-Eight runner-up spot.
This year, Athens returns eights starters on offense and seven on defense.
Quarterback Nick DeMuro was elected to the NCPreps.com 4A All-State team, he was named the Tri-Eight Offensive Player of the Year, and he was elected to the All-Conference team. Last season, DeMuro passed for 3,134 yards and 27 touchdowns, but his running game is what makes him a complete quarterback.
DeMuro is a dual-threat quarterback, meaning he can not only throw, but he can run. Last season, DeMuro ran the ball 126 times for 567 yards and 17 touchdowns.
There was a question whether or not DeMuro could continue that kind of success this season since some players graduated. If there were ever questions in my mind, they're gone now.
On Friday night, Athens trailed West Johnston, 24-8. DeMuro led his team to a 37-31 comeback win on the road. In the game, DeMuro completed 26 of 49 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. That is what I call, "Picking up where you left off."
T.J. Kornegay will be DeMuro's favorite receiver this season. Against West Johnston, Kornegay caught eight passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. The other passing touchdown came from junior Phillip Barren. Barren caught seven passes for 89 yards and a lone touchdown.
It is worth noting that after week one, DeMuro leads the Triangle area in passing, and Kornegay leads the Triangle area in receiving. Barren ranks fifth in the Triangle area in passing.
The big question mark for Athens will be their defense. Last season, the Jaguars allowed many teams to score more points than they should. Remember the shootout between Athens and Lee County? If the Jaguars want to win the conference and rack up some wins in the playoffs, their defense will have to step it up. The Jaguars cannot rely on DeMuro outscoring the other offense.
Athens will host Enloe this Friday night at 7:30.
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August 22, 2007 11:50 a.m.
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