Thomas Jefferson Academy's senior football players are hoping for an opportunity few get. If their heads, hearts and backbones allow, they might get the chance this season to play in their fourth state championship game.

"These kids want to play in their fourth state championship," coach Chuck Wimberly said last week. "That's where their focus is now."

According to Wimberly, senior running back and Division I prospect Derrick Mathis is chomping at the bit, ready to start the season.

With 5,690 total yards and 90 rushing touchdowns, he is well past the school's record. He broke that 2,000 yards ago. He is already within 400 yards of breaking Herschel Walker's high school rushing total and, when he does, Wimberly said Mathis' career yardage will put him at 15th best in the state.

"This is the fastest team I've ever coached," Wimberly said. "I've had individual kids who were faster, but as a group, no. With Logan Perdue, Tyler Barrentine, Trey Wheeler and Derrick Mathis all available, who do you give it to?"

The coach is excited to see how that speed shows up on the defensive side of the ball.

"Quarterback Rob Swan is doing an unbelievable job," Wimberly said. "He's extremely smart and knows every position on the field."

Swan played backup quarterback and tight end last year, and his coach said now that he's a senior Swan is ready to take the ball full-time.

Anchoring the Jaguars' line are a pair of senior tackles -- 290-pound Ben Phillips and 275-pound Tucker Seeloff -- and center Colby Lamb. Finishing out the line are juniors Michael Watkins and Hank Gilmore.

The only starting freshman will be Austin Dressell, a defensive back.

"This kid is fearless," Wimberly said. "He'll get up from anything and be ready to get right back in it. With 10 juniors and seniors around him, he should prove a real benefit to us."

Sophomore tight end Mason Johnson and senior split end Austin Logue round out the starters.

For the last decade, the GISA Class A championship has been traded back and forth by Thomas Jefferson, Flint River and Robert Toombs. This year, Flint River and Robert Toombs have moved up to Class AA, and the Jaguars will face four new teams in their region.

"The old Flint River rivalry is dead," Wimberly said. "Each of us won a state championship and each of us won a region championship and neither of us ever won at home."

Just because the old rivals are moving up doesn't mean the path to state is clear of obstacles, the coach said.

"Four of the top seven teams in last year's playoffs are in this region," Wimberly said. "We're going to have to be ready to play every Friday night."

Wimberly said he believes his team can keep up the momentum they have been building for the last several years and push through the season for one more go at the title.

And he is taking an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to his offense.

"In the last three seasons we've racked up 18,000 yards and around 130 touchdowns," he said. "Now you tell me, do you think we need to change our offense yet?"