By Hugo G.

Two years ago, Virginia G.(then a sophomore), said her goal was to get to the city finals and perhaps state. Since that interview, Virgnia G., now a senior, has reached the city finals four consecutive years and recently went to the Cross-Country State Competition. She became the first ever Jefferson cross-country athlete to reach the state competition's. The state competition was held on a 5 kilometer course in Fresno, California. She finished in 51st place with a time of 19:38. It wasn't her best time this season, but as she explains, "the weather was cold and I had a little cold myself."

The road to the state competition wasn't an easy one. Gomez placed 6th place with a time of 19:25 in the city finals at Pierce College to qualify for state. Virginia reminisced about that meet, "Yeah, I felt really comfortable and I didn't feel tired. Exhaustion didn't hit me until I finished the race." Virginia became the first athlete from Jefferson High School, regardless of any sport, to reach a state competition in more than ten years! "This being my senior year, I wanted to do something memorable and I didn't want to have any regrets ten years from now, so I really wanted to put my best effort forward." When asked to summarize the season in one word, Virginia responded, "memorable."
 

The hour and a half drive on the congested 410 freeway to Granada Hills to see the Jefferson Democrats play against the Granada Hills Highlanders wasn't worthy of calling a playoff game. The Democrats struggled offensively and the always-reliable Jefferson defense was left back home, as they experienced a 56-14 beating. 56-14 would be more than enough to most people but to the sports enthusiast here goes: Jefferson was exploited. All season long, Jefferson slipped and squeaked past teams by relying on their defense or on Bayon Harris to earn the victory. This time, neither strategy prevailed.

The Highlanders scored three touchdowns in the first quarter alone, one of which was a 61 yard pass. The way the Democrats would blow coverages and allow the quarterback to run, it's surprising four or five touchdowns weren't scored. The second quarter was very much the same, mounting a three touchdown assualt. John Brown threw an interception and Jefferson fumbled. By halftime, the score was 41-0 and certain hecklers on Jefferson's side yelled, "Where's the Varsity football team?"

Early in the third quarter, Jefferson managed to get on the score board, but the Highlanders still led 41-6. Granada Hills answered right back with a touchdown of their own, and then another to end the third quarter 56-6. In the fourth quarter Bayon Harris scored a touchdown and Jayshawn Brown got the two-point conversion. The only other good news for the Democrats in the fourth quarter, was that the Highlanders didn't score. The final score was 56-14 and the Democrats ended their season 7-4, overall.

The Jefferson Democrats were a fine football team. However, they just never got it right. The passing game for Jefferson was non-existant throughout the whole season, and basically relied on Bayon Harris to rush them to victory. Besides the fact that certain players couldn't keep their grades up and missed several crucial games and the fact that most re very non-chalante about going to practice everyday, it was a tough team. Something to look forward to next season is hopefully the growth and maturation of John Brown as quarterback. He's a freshman, but hopefully by junior year he will be leading the conference in completions.

Photo by: R. Sweeney

By Hugo G.

Coming off a big win against the Garfield Bulldogs, the Democrats taught the other Bulldogs, the Jordan Bulldogs a 16-13 lesson . Jefferson ended the regular season overall, 7-3, heading into the first round of the Division 4-A playoffs where they faced unbeaten Granada Hills. On the Democrats' first drive, they fumbled. The Jordan offense was stopped by the always-reliable Jefferson defense and regained possession. On Jefferson's second drive, they ran it ten times. The drive was capped off by an all-alone Jashawn Brown reception and simply walked into the end-zone. Bayon Harris could not convert for the extra point and the Democrats led 6-0 in the 1st quarter. The Bulldogs answered back with their own five-play drive to score the equalizer. The Bulldogs made the extra point and Jordan now led by one, 7-6. The special teams for both Jefferson and the Bulldogs came up with big plays. Jefferson's special team blocked a field goal attempt by Jordan, and in return, the Bulldogs blocked a Democrat punt.

In the 2nd quarter, Jefferson regained the lead when Jashawn Brown intercepted a Jordan pass in the end-zone and raced back 100 yards to score a touchdown. John Brown, running back and now starting quarterback, lofted a pass to Malcolm Overton in the back of the end-zone for the two point conversion. The Democrats ended the half leading, 14-7. In the 3rd quarter, John Brown fumbled the ball and the Bulldogs recovered it. Jordan capitalized on this turnover, but Jefferson's special teams once again came up big by blocking the Bulldogs' extra point. Jefferson's lead was now cut down to one, 14-13. The third quarter ended with the Democrats still leading, 14-13.

It was late in the 4th quarter, Jesse Charles had just intercepted a Jordan pass, and Jefferson had the ball deep in Bulldog territory. All that was needed was to run out the clock. However, the Democrats made a potentially costly mistake by fumbling the ball. Luckily, Jashawn Brown, who had already scored two touchdowns and made an interception, saved the game. The Bulldogs deep in their own territory went for a pass play. Jashawn Brown read the play perfectly and chased down the quarter back for a safety. Jefferson closed out the game 16-13.

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