Jefferson County snaps 367-day losing streak, Footman wins first as coach in victory over FAMU DRS

Editors note: Jefferson County vacated its win against FAMU DRS, dropping the Tigers' record to 0-9 on the year as of November 2. 

It's been 367 days since Jefferson County won a football game.

In that time, the Tigers have gone 0-10, seen Jefferson County Schools become independent for the first time since 2016, and had hometown hero Norris Footman return to Monticello as head coach.

It's been a trying stretch, but one that's indicated a rapid change at Jefferson County.

Similar to the last time it won, over a year ago, Jefferson County snapped the long losing streak with a dominant 36-12 victory over FAMU DRS Monday. It's not only the first win of the season for the Tigers but Footman's first as head coach.

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Footman said that he's emphasized to his players that you learn more from losing than winning. In that 0-5 stretch, the Tigers learned they needed to play together and that's what led them to a win Monday night.

"The biggest thing is to get them to understand that it takes all 11 to play as one on the field," Footman said. "When you have 10 playing in unison and one guy doing his own thing, it affects everybody. You've got to play to the guy to the right and left of you. I think we're starting to understand that."

The Tigers scored the most amount of points since that win over the Rattlers back in 2021, highlighted by two touchdowns from Travis Keaton. Giving the Tigers the lead and then six more right after that in the first quarter. Keaton credits his O-line for giving him the space to run and score.

"We're feeling amazing and we want to carry on what we did tonight," Keaton said. "I love my O-line. They block and I get yards."

Juvon Pettway, Delvin Chambers, and Rico Murray also found their way onto the scoresheet, adding to Footman's message in winning with all 11. One of the more interesting things that Jefferson County tried Monday night was onside kicks.

The Tigers attempted five and recovered three of them, throwing the Rattlers into a whirlwind. Footman said that he wants to maximize every opportunity that his team can.

"We're in a position where we've got to be hungry for everything we get," Footman said. "It also gives the guys the confidence to think that we have to take every opportunity and every chance to get the ball in the offense's hands, and get the chance to score."

With the win, the opportunity is still open for Jefferson County to finish 5-5 on the year, just over the midway point of the season.

They are preparing to host a loaded Wildwood team, who only has one loss on the year, along with Taylor County, Lafayette, and Liberty County. FAMU DRS falls to 1-3 on the year, with a jam-packed October, starting with undefeated North Florida Christian this Friday.

It's a big task for the Tigers, but they believe that something positive is brewing following the win.

"It's about getting the guys to understand that the same thing we did tonight can be carried over into Wildwood," Footman said. "Wildwood is a lot better team, but that still doesn't affect what we do. If we take care of our linemen assignments, play fast and physically, I like our odds."

As time ticked off the clock in the fourth quarter late into Monday night, with the temperatures dropping into the mid-60s, that didn't stop Jefferson County players from giving him an ice water bath. While he said he was cold at the moment, it's a gesture that he appreciates.

"It was pretty chilly and it got my socks wet right now," Footman said. "I told them I'll get them for that at the next practice, but I appreciate it. It shows that they appreciate me for coaching them hard and doing what I can to get them a win."

"It feels good to give him that," Keaton said. "He's from here, so to give him that first win is special."

Jack Williams covers prep sports for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams. 

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jefferson County tops FAMU DRS for first win in over a year