Sussex Central practices in preparation for their state title game.
SUSSEX COUNTY, Va. - One small county, one high school, and one football team, eyeing perfection. "When we came into camp, we had 19 kids, and we looked at each other as a staff and we didn't believe the numbers we had," head coach Curtis Jefferson says.
Fast forward five months later, and Sussex Central (13-0) is 48 minutes away from finishing a perfect season on Saturday in the 1A state championship. "Nothing was expected from them," says Jefferson. "Each week, they silence the critics, and sometimes myself."
Even Jefferson, who's won two state titles (1991, 2003) at Sussex Central, didn't expect the Tigers to be talking state titles. But in his 25th season, his style continues to draw the best out of his players. "Without Coach Jefferson, I wouldnt know about football, he introduced me to the game," senior defensive lineman Tre Ellis says.
"He brought me up through the program. He taught me how to be the leader that I am now," says senior safety Marvin Robinson.
The Tigers will take on Riverheads (12-1) at Salem Stadium in Salem, Va on Saturday.
