Week 5: Jackson (2-2) vs Wheelersburg (4-0)

[doubleplay643]

I think Jackson has a good team. This will be the year they take sum lumps but lookout next year!

Thank you O&B for some perspective.

West Jefferson beat Madison Plains 42-0 last week. Athens has beat everyone by about 40 (and probably will continue that pattern). Wheelersburg beat Ironton by 40 or so as I remember, and will put up big numbers on teams this year.

So it is not like Jackson is losing by a bunch to the sisters of the poor to quote Gordon Gee. These are three teams that will go anywhere from a combined 29-1 to 27-3. These three teams will be in the regional semi's and finals, and maybe beyond that.

Coach Hall went 5-5 last year and was barely on the right side of a 3-2 school board vote, so to think they aren't devising every possible way to win just doesn't make sense they know what is riding on this season.

That being said, take a step back, get outside the proverbial box and make some adjustments. But to think we can compete score for score against these 3 teams that are beating everyone else by this same margin just is not realistic (at least not this year). Yes we can do better, and yes we can change some things around, but no one is not trying there are jobs and reputations on the line.

Let's be positive, make some adjustments, and encourage every player to compete and grind.

[A-Town Big Dog]

One thing that stood out to me in the Athens game was the total lack of willingness of the coaching staff to call pass plays. I understand that Jackson wanted to run the ball and control the clock as much as possible but they didn't even try to throw when they had to catch up after going down multiple score early. Jackson is a traditional power running team and I know the really don't want to break away from that identity but if you can't at least pass enough to keep defenses honest then teams will continue to load the box and make it a long night for the backs. I really liked what I saw from Saxton, he has good ball fakes and I think he could run some with a little better blocking and a bit of passing here and there to loosen up the defense. Reagan Williams is way to good to be playing as a down lineman (especially in a 3 man front) it is way to easy for teams to scheme around him playing there. I agree that he should be upright playing linebacker (preferably in the middle) where he can have an impact on the game, I only heard his name maybe a couple of times and one of those was because he was overthrown as a TE. I do believe that Jackson has some good talent but some of it isn't being utilized to its full potential, some player need moved around a bit and a passing game needs to be relevant and I don't mean to imply they should go 4 and 5 wide and try to chuck it around the yard all day but a few shots down the field in 2 or 3 wide sets would be beneficial along with some screen passes.

[doubleplay643]

A-Town BD2, those are questions everyone familiar with the program and players are asking, and why it is time to take a step back, get outside the box and ask the question do we have everyone where they should be and make the adjustments.

And yes you are correct, no 4-wides, but Hunter has a great arm and there is no reason why we can't throw it downfield a little if he has some time.

I am confident we will try that a little more this week it should be obvious we need to mix the plays up and maybe some player positions up.

[baller99]

This is the week for changes and competing for jobs and for coachs to look in the mirror and say where are we at.

[doubleplay643]

8-2, SEOAL Championship, and a possible play-off spot. That is what the new goal should be for everyone. No reason why that cannot be accomplished. This team perfectly capable of that kind of performance.

[baller99]

I agree that these kids are better than we've seen let see if we can make the changes that are required .

[callie11]

The Burg has to score a lot of points because they certainly can't stop anyone from scoring.

[Poo Bear]

I agree that these kids are better than we've seen let see if we can make the changes that are required .

Without naming names , what changes would you make?

[baller99]

jackson defense
Humphreys Fairchild roseberry
Barger williams massie sexton
rafferty fitch

jones griffiths

Just a thought

[baller99]

jackson defense
Humphreys Fairchild roseberry down line
Barger williams massie sexton backers and rover
rafferty fitch corners

jones griffiths safety

Just a thought

[Poo Bear]

jackson defense
Humphreys Fairchild roseberry down line
Barger williams massie sexton backers and rover
rafferty fitch corners

jones griffiths safety

Just a thought

Aren't they pretty much all on the field now?

[baller99]

[quote="Viking96"][quote="iman24"]jackson defense
Humphreys Fairchild roseberry down line
Barger williams massie sexton backers and rover
rafferty fitch corners

jones griffiths safety

Just a thought[/quote]

Aren't they pretty much all on the field now?[/quote]
Close just lined up a little different Williams down at tackle and sexton at corner

[doubleplay643]

8 and 2 is the goal.

Believe it and achieve it. Go big red.

Let's win out, grab the 8 seed and go play Athens the likely 1 seed and shock them in The Plains in late October or early November.

[ironman02]

This has been an interesting read.

A few comments...

I'm sure that all the Jackson fans on here want the Ironmen to be successful. However, I can guarantee you that the staff and players want to win much more than any of us. They're the ones putting in the hours coaching, game-planning, practicing, lifting, etc. The staff is going to play the players that give them the best chance to win. If there is someone on the sidelines that isn't playing on Friday night, it's because they haven't earned that right in practice.

After the game on the radio, and in his news interview, Coach Hall mentioned that they obviously needed to evaluate the personnel and put them in a better position to be successful. To me, that means that they'll watch film and see if they can move some guys around where they'll be more effective. I think the best players are on the field, but moving some guys around may be beneficial. This is a staff that has won two SEOAL titles (which hadn't been done since 1998), made two playoff appearances, and won a playoff game, all in the last four years. I think they have an idea what they need to do. They're not perfect, just as the players aren't, but they're working to correct the mistakes.

I thought the kids played hard at West Jeff, but were just overwhelmed after a bad start and playing against a much better opponent than what they faced the first two weeks. Last week, I did sense that when things got tough and the turnovers began, they kind of threw in the towel. Most of these guys have lost very few games during their football careers. They're used to things coming easy to them, and now that it's not, it's probably a little shocking. That's why they need to be tougher mentally, and persevere through adversity. Learn from the terrible losses the last two weeks, and be better because of it. When things get tough, don't give in. Play Ironmen football.

I absolutely hate it when Jackson loses a football game. It's something that I've cared about for a long time, and the success of this program is very important to me. Let's just support the staff and the players and hope that they can get back on the right track. Like doubleplay643 said, 8-2 should be the goal now. Get it done!

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Wheelersburg will come calling into Alumni Stadium as the top-ranked Division V team in the latest AP statewide poll.

The 2nd weekly poll was released an hour ago.

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"I don't know how you guys do business in your part of the world. But here in Rio, I like it when all parties know what they are up against." — Fast Five

[Buckeye-4-Life]

How did they move up? Did the number one team lose?

[A-Town Big Dog]

Yes, Dayton C-J was ranked #1 and they lost last Friday.

[firecracker]

The staff is going to play the players that give them the best chance to win. If there is someone on the sidelines that isn't playing on Friday night, it's because they haven't earned that right in practice.

This is the problem with the team. I can tell you one player that did not practice all summer, even during two a days, and when it came to the first game, HE STARTS. Now, explain that to the other players. I just don't see how some of these kids go to practice everyday, attend weight training in the off season, and are seniors, haven't earned a right to play. The team plays most of the players on both sides of the ball, no wonder that their out of gas come middle of the second quarter.

[pbuck]

Pirates keep their record clean after this one

[4thgoal]

This will be a tough road test for the Pirates. Jackson has lost to 2 very good teams, but what is their mental state after those 2 losses? I just saw that Burg has already clinched a playoff spot according to http://www.fantastic50.net/Ohio_Region_17.php