Jackson Ironmen Football 2014

[sixrings]

What's the plan for the Ironmen as they seek to chase down Logan and regain their title of the SEOAL?

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

is ironton contract signed.

[sixrings]

Yes. It is a 1 year contract, I believe.

[Poo Bear]

Jackson returns a lot of talent. Should be a good year .

[doubleplay643]

What's the plan for the Ironmen as they seek to chase down Logan and regain their title of the SEOAL?

Here is how I see the 2014 season for the Ironmen from the 30,000 foot level.

Returning almost both sides of the ball, plus adding a very talented freshman class (current 8th grade) and bringing into the fold all of the current freshmen soon to be sophomore class (not just the 3-4 that played last year but 30 more kids) it is going to take an enormous amount of talent and more importantly work in the off-season to crack the 22 spots. My guess is that 5-7 kids will go both ways so that makes the level of competition even tougher to find a spot.

Defensively the Ironmen will be solid against any run oriented team, leading the SEOAL last year in least amount of points allowed and yards given up, I think teams trying to run the ball will be in for a tough time. However, as good as we were on run-oriented SEOAL teams last year we were not so great against teams that spread us out and had a passing game that was solid. We were gashed defensively against Athens, West Jefferson and Wheelersburg which are all spread-type proficient passing teams. No getting around it we were just not very good at defending them and lost all 3 obviously. To be good against the spread in my opinion you need to do two things: (1) have speed and pressure on the edges and (2) have defensive backs that are extremely athletic with some size that can play up at the LOS and disrupt the receiver off the snap. We have the first and need to acquire or get better at the second. We face West Jefferson and Wheelersburg again in 2014 and chances are their style will be similar to their style in 2013 assuming their personnel is similar of course. The Ironmen attempted this against all 3 teams by moving Williams out to the edge on the wide side last year and did get some pressure and defended the run but we just were not able to defend the pass against 3 great regional finalist type of teams. So look for the Ironmen to concentrate on finding a solution for the defensive backs and we have some great ones to choose from in Griffiths, Rafferty, Conley, Jones, Cantor, Sloop plus probably 4 others I don't even know about yet from the younger classes. If Griffiths moves up from safety maybe look for Sexton to see a little bit of action on the defensive side of the ball against passing teams. On the line and linebackers take your pick some very good players: Cooper, Potter, Roseberry, Rawlins, Fairchild, Humphreys, Barger, Williams, Bachtel, Massie, and Edwards and probably another half-dozen or so I have forgot or are in the younger class and just don't know about yet.

Offensively, the Ironmen will most likely stay with a ground and pound style of mentality, but clearly we have the athletes to be a little less vanilla if we need to. Be interesting to see how the backfield plays out, some real speed with Farley, Griffiths and Rafferty and some bruisers with Crabtree or maybe Cooper or Potter if they get some opportunities. May see Crabtree at TE with Williams or split out as he has the length and hands to be effective on some passing routes and maybe see the sophomores share some fullback run blocking duties. Sexton clearly has the arm strength to do whatever needs done whether it is vertical down the field or the short stuff underneath and can pick up the ball and bruise someone too if he takes off and runs. Against the West Jefferson and Wheelersburg type teams look for us to try and run the ball and burn clock, but maybe mix it up a little against some of the other league or non-league teams. We didn't lose anyone off the line from last year plus we pick up some of the younger kids so we should be good there...not necessarily big, just athletic and tough type good which means we will execute the traps and line pulls very well I imagine.

Special teams, we lose Voilles and that is a big loss, but someone will step up and we simply need to do better at kick-off coverage (cost us the Logan game imo) and need to be a little more dynamic on the return. Look for Farley (Jackson's Johnny Football) to return a couple to the house, mark it down, I just called it.

We need a game in week 4, I do not think they have filled it yet, still only 9 games unofficially on the schedule. Rumors abound about Bishop Ready and I think that would be a great opportunity for this group...if there was ever a year to tackle a program like a Ready, St Charles, DeSales, etc., this is the year to do it, win it and I believe the points put you squarely in the play-off picture as an 8-2; or 9-1; or even, wait for it a 10-0 season is not completely out of the question. But a Week 4 game is needed, I know some people have argued a nine game season may be better than the tenth game with a loss but I think this group, especially 10th-12th grade is exceptionally talented and you may as well schedule up and play tough and see what we got and where the program is at. Just my opinion.

Lol, since this is February I reserve the right to change all of the above at any time prior to August and nothing I say can be used against me lol

[Poo Bear]

Nice post ! It's gonna be a fun ride the next 10 or so years

[Raider6309]

Jackson 7th and 8th teams are very good. 7th had two huge players. One a rb, the other a linebacker

[Poo Bear]

7th-12th are all solid football classes that should win. I could go even lower and add 5th and 6th too but that's too far away. Either way the future is bright

[doubleplay643]

8th grade player you are referring to is Neal is my bet. Look for him to see some time on the gridiron and baseball field next year as a freshman. Very solid player, and there are some other good players as well, not to take anything away from them at all.

Jackson is historically very tough, hard-nosed teams, when we cross over and have the most success is when add an athlete to that mentality or philosophy RAIDER, as you like to point out lol the Osborne kid from Wellston that transferred his senior year. That added the X-factor or the other dimension we needed to go from 8-2 to 10-0, not sure who it will be this year but Rafferty, Griffiths, Farley have serious potential, just need to get them the touches.

Bad news is if we make the play-offs lol all roads lead through Athens in 2014 and no matter how you slice it or dice it that is a tough one for any team in the Region.

[Raider6309]

^like to see a rematch in the playoffs, u guys pounded us pretty good with the run game a few years ago. I see de salles being tough next year. Missed the playoffs buta young team and beat Clinton massie

[baller99]

This years goal should definitely be to meet up with Athens in post season. Would love to see Potter at center 6'1 230 Williams 6'3 235 with Fairchild 5'10 235 at guards and Woolum 6'5 260 and Roseberry 6'2 230 at tackles with Barger 6'1 215 or Crabtree 6'3 200 at end very athletic line and very physical. We would match up against any defense run or pass.

[doubleplay643]

This years goal should definitely be to meet up with Athens in post season. Would love to see Potter at center 6'1 230 Williams 6'3 235 with Fairchild 5'10 235 at guards and Woolum 6'5 260 and Roseberry 6'2 230 at tackles with Barger 6'1 215 or Crabtree 6'3 200 at end very athletic line and very physical. We would match up against any defense run or pass.

iman24 how do we defend the spread type passing teams with the personnel we have for 2014? Do you agree defensively we will be able to stop most running teams and need to find a way to stop the pass. Any ideas how to go about it? Probably face it against West Jeff and Burg I imagine.

[Texas 2]

I heard we might get Bishop Ready for the 4th game.

[baller99]

With the kids coming back a year older we should do better with spread offense. Maybe 3-4 down 3 maybe Cooper,Rawlins,Roseberry, Massie,Humpheys ,linebackers Williams,Potter,Sexton,Massie,Cooper,Bachtel, safeties and corners Rafferty,Conley,Edwards,Griffiths,McCoy or go 4-3 with Barger,Crabtree at ends.There are tons of experience and options and most combinations should be big strong and fast.

[doubleplay643]

I heard we might get Bishop Ready for the 4th game.

It is getting to be a pretty strong rumor, I mentioned it above a day or so ago and heard it again today from another person. Sounds like it may be in the works. Looked on another central Ohio forum to see if any of the Bishop Ready folks were mentioning it but nothing yet they are still looking for a Coach as theirs stepped down recently.

Have to wait and see I suppose.

[sixrings]

Iman24 why would we change the offensive line? They were better than average with Staten at center, Fairchild and Massie/Humphreys at guards and Woolum and Roseberry/Barger at tight end.

Also, IMO the key to defending the spread is to get as many athletes on the field as possible, which in Jackson's case is not hard to do. lol. Many combinations. D-line you have: Roseberry, Rawlins, Cooper, Humphreys, Woolum. Linebackers are Williams, Potter, Massie, Staten, Bachtel, Barger and some underclassmen. Secondary you have Rafferty, Sexton, Griffiths, Farley, Edwards, Conley, Sloop, Cantor, Fitch and there is rumor that Nick Burd may return to the team this year. My starters on defense would probably be: DL - Roseberry, Rawlins, Humphreys, LBs - Williams, Staten, Potter, CBs - Edwards, Fitch, S - Rafferty, and Sexton/Griffiths and you can rotate Massie, Bachtel, and Barger as the hybrid linebacker.

All roads lead to Athens for the IRONMEN in 2014. With the talented, young, and now experienced roster, the IRONMEN may be able to make a playoff run and give Athens a run for their money. If you do remember, the IRONMEN had around 5-6 turnovers in the red zone this past year against Athens. Clean up the turnovers and you have a hell of a game.

[sixrings]

Iman24 why would we change the offensive line? They were better than average with Staten at center, Fairchild and Massie/Humphreys at guards and Woolum and Roseberry/Barger at tight end.

Also, IMO the key to defending the spread is to get as many athletes on the field as possible, which in Jackson's case is not hard to do. lol. Many combinations. D-line you have: Roseberry, Rawlins, Cooper, Humphreys, Woolum. Linebackers are Williams, Potter, Massie, Staten, Bachtel, Barger and some underclassmen. Secondary you have Rafferty, Sexton, Griffiths, Farley, Edwards, Conley, Sloop, Cantor, Fitch and there is rumor that Nick Burd may return to the team this year. My starters on defense would probably be: DL - Roseberry, Rawlins, Humphreys, LBs - Williams, Staten, Potter, CBs - Edwards, Fitch, S - Rafferty, and Sexton/Griffiths and you can rotate Massie, Bachtel, and Barger as the hybrid linebacker.

All roads lead to Athens for the IRONMEN in 2014. With the talented, young, and now experienced roster, the IRONMEN may be able to make a playoff run and give Athens a run for their money. If you do remember, the IRONMEN had around 5-6 turnovers in the red zone this past year against Athens. Clean up the turnovers and you have a hell of a game.

[baller99]

Make the change for size. Massie 180 Staten 205 Potter could be 235 or bigger by season and Williams 235 and athletically you lose nothing and gain size. Staten Could be used as rover or lb on defense. With his size and speed could even play d line. Just seemed at times last year we could not move d-line and seems such a waste for Willaims to be split out half the time would probably make all state on o-line and potter played some line last year.

[Poo Bear]

I'd like to see more beef up front too. Staten would be a good inside backer. I'd like to see potter and Cooper get some carries too though. Decisions decisions

[baller99]

Take that group off lineman and three good freshman Morris,Miller,Lewis put them together and see who the best five are. I just think this group would be better against williams everyday. Like to see us get bigger at wideouts crabtree,griffiths,cooper,neal,spires all catch and run well and would be able to block down field when we spread out and run. I only see one deep threat in program McCoy kid. if Bird where to play or Leach both had good hands and speed but not real physical.