Jackie Pons
Superintendent of Schools
Football has always been an important part of the Jefferson County tradition. For generations, our community has celebrated championships, all-American players, great coaches, and – most importantly – the young men who proudly put on the Jefferson uniform.
Like many of you, I was disappointed when I learned that we did not have enough players to compete this year. I was discouraged, but after taking a closer look at the number of eligible male students in grades 11-12, I quickly saw that numbers are our biggest challenge. Right now, we have approximately thirty-three eligible young men in grades 11-12. That makes every player important. Every student matters.
I also saw something else: a challenge. If there is one thing I have learned being a state championship coach and an educational leader, it is this: when you face adversity, you don’t give up. You roll up your sleeves and get back to work until you find a way forward.
That is exactly what WE are going to do.
There are many challenges facing high school athletics today. School choice gives students more options. Families are facing difficult financial decisions. Some of our young men have responsibilities outside of school that require them to work and help their families. I respect those decisions, and I want those students to know that I am still rooting for them. I want them to have a wonderful year and know that they are still part of the Jefferson family.
But my focus now is on the young men who have decided to play on the middle school team. We are going to believe in them, invest in them, and support them and together we are going to start rebuilding our program.
These efforts to encourage the students to participate are more than about football. They are about teaching our students what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. They are about teamwork, discipline, accountability, perseverance, and pride. And now, we need the entire Jefferson County community.
Every person who steps forward matters. So, I am asking our Jefferson Tigers to please come home and help us rebuild.
I have already heard from numerous Jefferson alumni who have said they are willing to lend a hand, and we welcome that support. Our Jefferson County Athletic Director, Eddie Metcalf has been investing his time and energy into these young men because he believes we can do it. Our teachers, parents, bus drivers, alumni, community members, and students all have a significant role to play.
We have already proven what we can accomplish when we work together. Over the last three years, Jefferson County has earned a “B” school grade for two of the three years. Our students, teachers, parents and staff accepted the challenge, rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Jefferson County K-12 has been recognized statewide as one of Florida's top turnaround schools.
That did not happen by accident. It happened because people believed in Jefferson.
It happened because people refused to accept that our best days were behind us.
It happened because our students stepped up.
And it happened because our community came together.
Now it is time to bring that same pride, determination and teamwork to Jefferson athletics. We need to educate all our students, those who are currently attending Jefferson and those who have chosen other paths about the values that make being a Jefferson Tiger special. We want our young people to understand that the lessons learned on the field are the same lessons that help them succeed in life.
We are incredibly proud of the young men who have chosen to represent Jefferson County on our middle school team this year. They are our players. They are our team. And they deserve our support. These young men are going to help bring Jefferson County football back to where it belongs. But they cannot do it alone.
I understand that rebuilding a team does not happen overnight. You start with the players you have. You teach them. You develop them. You believe in them. You build one practice, one play, one young man at a time and that is what we are going to do.
This is our team. These are our kids. This is our future.
I am challenging every member of this community to lean in. Show up. Support these young men. Encourage our players. Support our coaches. Reach out to a student. Talk to a young person about being part of the team. If you have something to give – your time, your experience, your resources or simply your voice – lend a hand.
This is our time to come together as a community and rebuild Jefferson County football. We have done it before. We can do it again and as your superintendent, I can promise you that we will never give up on our kids, we will never give up on Jefferson County because We Believe in Jefferson!