When JamieSimmonds, wife of Jefferson coach Mike Simmonds, watches her husband's games, she really watches. And, yes, she even critiques the coach.
"I always quiz him, "Why did you call that?' or "That was a good one and that one wasn't,' " Jamie said. "We have a lot of conversations about that."
Jamie watches games with their children: Amanda, 15, Lauren, 10, and Emily, 7. She doesn't claim to be an expert, but thinks she has learned quite a bit through the years.
Jefferson (9-3), hosts Jesuit on Friday with a trip to the Class 3A semifinals on the line. The Dragons were 2-2 after an early-season 54-7 loss to Armwood, which Jamie called "painful" to watch.
How did Jefferson turn things around?
"I think it's just timing," she said. "They just weren't clicking. Now they've got everything clicking. Everybody came together and they just jelled. It would be interesting to see what the score would be if (they played Armwood again)."
Jamie is the coach's eyes and ears in the stands.
"I give him a lot of feedback about what people say," she said. "I ask him why they did certain things and that helps me. When he explains it to you, you get a better idea."
She then shares the info with fans.
REVENGE TOUR, PART II: Jesuit's 28-23 victory last week over Bradenton Southeast avenged a four-point regular-season loss.
Now, Jesuit has another chance to redeem itself.
Again, the task won't be easy.
On Oct. 29, the Tigers lost 51-14 to Jefferson. The Dragons scored through the air and on the ground, gaining more than 500 yards.
"That was definitely the most complete game we've played all season," Mike Simmonds said after the game. "And that certainly ranks up there as one of the best games in my seven years here."
Are the Tigers intimidated?
Coach Bill Schmitz doesn't think so.
"I hope any team I'm associated with wouldn't think that way," he said. "If you look at the film, we did not play very well and Jefferson did play very well. But it's a new week. You've got to step back, go about your regular routine and not change anything."
Jesuit was 6-1 when it lost to Jefferson.
The Tigers are 9-2 now and, according to Schmitz, playing as well as they have at any point this season.
"I think we're feeling pretty good about ourselves," he said. "Right now, there's some bounce in their step ... at the Saturday practice after our game, (Monday) and around campus. There's no doubt we feel like we have a chance.
"We're back to playing the way we were a month ago."
The question is, how do they stop Jefferson?
In the first meeting, Alex Suber and Nigel Smith eached rushed for more than 100 yards, so slowing the Dragons' vaunted running game would be a good place to start.
"We didn't play nearly as well defensively as we had up to that point," Schmitz said. "That was disappointing, but I give them credit."
UNSUNG: Chris Uhrig passes.
Anthony Allen carries the ball.
But tight end ChrisChatterton might be just as valuable at Jesuit. The senior had three catches against Southeast, one for an 18-yard score that put the Tigers up for good. He also plays fullback at times.
"He has played very well lately," Schmitz said. "With his size and speed, we get a little bit of a mismatch with him. A lot of times, Chris is on a defensive back."
NOTEWORTHY: The Jefferson-Jesuit winner will be rewarded with a game against Belle Glade Glades Central (8-1) or Miami Pace (9-1). Both are perennial state powers. Pace was last year's 3A champ. ... Don't underestimate the value of Suber, who returned from a back injury to rush for 161 yards on 22 carries in Jefferson's win over Palmetto last week.
