D3 R12 #5 Jackson (9-1) @ #4 Eaton (10-0)

[Ironman92]

It's going to be interesting.....Eaton has the big play ability and the Ironmen, while playing well and improving on defense as the season has went along, can give up the big play and make for very quick scoring drives.....WHICH might allow Jackson to establish their long drawn out drives in which our line dominates and wears down the opponent.

SO basically waht I'm trying to say....Jackson giving up the big play is not recommended, but as long as we keep the ball much longer and score it could benefit later in the game.

Hope they bring in some bleachers...we might travel 3,000.

[pbuck]

Eaton in a tight one

[ironman02]

Great post, hsfootballfan. Thanks for the information on your team.

Throughout the season, Jackson has thrown the ball with some success. Before our QB went down with a knee injury in Week 9, he had thrown for almost 800 yards with 10 TDs. Obviously we prefer to run the football, but we were able to complement the ground game with enough passing to keep defenses honest, and also hit some big plays at opportune times. Drew Ervin, our RB who moved to QB, is definitely capable of throwing the football. He has played QB in the past, and I believe was our JV QB as a freshman. Last week, I think Coach Hall knew that the Ironmen could run the football almost at will. Because of that, he decided to take some of the pressure off of Drew in his first start at QB, refusing to throw the football. It worked out well because our O-Line was able to control the game, and Drew was able to help beat GAHS with his legs. At the same time, though, I think Eaton's defensive ability will force Jackson to have to throw the ball. If that situation arises, and I'm sure it will, I think Drew will meet the challenge, but I would expect our staff to roll him out a lot and make sure that he's throwing short to intermediate routes.

[IronmenTradition]

02- I agree, its nice to know each teams playoff history just didn't want people to get off topic or judge the game based on that.

Coach Hall and his dad both have a lot of playoff history between them. I think that will help out a little. I know it won't win them the game, but knowing how the playoffs go and expirience being there is a good thing to have.

Jackson needs to work on something for 3rd and long situations. Hopefully the ironmen can throw maybe 10 passes at least to open up the run even more.
Our secondary better be ready this week. I have been very impressed with the play of Ty McNelly, Derrek Meredith and Alec Osborne this year. Ty has around 7 ints and always gets one when they need a big play. For only being a soph Alec has played very well all season, he is a very smart and lock down corner. Kip hurts us being gone more on defense than at quarterback. Also Freshman Nathan Parks does a good job in there, very athletic kid.

[ironman02]

IronmenTradition,

I agree. If Jackson can throw the ball at least 10 times, and have some success with it, then that should help to open up the running game. I'm sure Eaton's defensive gameplan will be to force the Ironmen to have to throw the football. Jackson has some guys on the outside that are capable of making big plays...they'll have to do that this week.

I've been pretty confident in our secondary all season. As you said, Ty McNelly has made some HUGE plays this season. It seems like his INTs always come at pivotal moments in big games. Meredith has been playing safety at the varsity level for three seasons, so he has a ton of experience. Alec Osborne, as you said, has been VERY good this season, especially for a younger guy. The talented freshman, Parks, along with Johnson and Costilow, will really have to play well also.

On another note, I thought Dillon Bentley was very impressive at DE/LB last week against GAHS. He saw increased playing time, I think, because the staff wanted to keep Ervin playing less defense since he was the QB. I wonder if Drew could potentially play somewhere in the secondary, maybe in a 5 DB scheme this week since Bentley was so effective in his original spot. It would be very beneficial to have Drew roaming around in the secondary, using his speed to stay with some of the Eaton receivers, but also helping in run support. I guess I'm just thinking out loud. Coach Hall and the staff will take care of things.

[IronmenTradition]

That is a good idea. Drew possibly filling in at safety would be good. I'm sure coach hall will have them ready. That coaching staff really gets this team ready every week. I have been very impressed with what all coach Hall has done. Not only winning games but bringing this town together. He is great for the kids and this community. After week one many people were on his case and he took full responsibility when he didn't have too. But he didn't fold up and listen to everyone, he looked up and led this team to a league title and playoff game.

[bluedevil]

eaton 31 jackson 10

[pappy1]

I don't have a strong feeling about who will win this game. I think it is very hard to compare teams from different areas who have no common opponents. Tho I don't think common opponents are always a good comparison either. We know Eaton is good or they wouldn't be undefeated. Hoping for an injury free game and hoping for a W for the Ironmen.

[footballfanatic1]

blue devil where is galia playing??????

[Ironmannut07]

Oh oh I know pick me pick me plzzzzz... No where?

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Any Eaton posters know what the press box is like there? Large or small? Lot of room or not?

Or if the football field and school are near each other?

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks much

[quiksand]

Press box isn't that large, although it's possible they have made some improvements since I was last there.

Football field and school are not close to one another, school is on southwest side of town, whereas the field is on the northwest end of town if I'm not completely directionally challenged.

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

quiksand....Thanks for the information.

Looking forward to the trip to Eaton, which I do have a very small connection to.

I got my current car from the Chrysler dealership either in or near Eaton.

[SWBL]

There is very limited parking near the field. The last home playoff game we had here in Eaton, they parked people at the school and bused them to the field. Also, there was extra seating brought in for both visitors and home fans, but room is limited. Dress warm and come early.

[Ironmannut07]

Will do. Plan on leaving at 3:30 the field of seven mile road if I seen that correctly relatively easy to find judging by directions. Well for everybody who said they couldn't do it or would just get slaughtered this sat will be the judge of that I have faith in our boys that they fan deffinatly go pass the first round but they will have to knuckle down and play some darn good ironmen smash mouth football!!! Let's go boys keep on Rollin red!!!!

[camnott]

Anyone have any details on charter buses that are going to Eaton?
I also read where the game time is 7PM, is that correct?

[Yodiak2]

First off I want to say Congratulations to the Jackson football team.
I believe all of the DIII playoff games start at 7:00, so I think it is a good assumption this game will start at 7:00 as well. I had seen on this site that Jackson has a very nice field / stadium. I do hope you all won't be disappointed in Eaton's facilities. I am not exactly sure how long the field has been around, but it has a 1950s feel to it. The bleachers are very close to the field. The press box is rather small compared to today's standards. The home stands are usually packed full and we have people sitting in the south end zone in chairs that they bring. In the north endzone there is a house just over the fense where they have bonfires and a party every friday night and watch the game for free. The visitor's side probably seats around 350 people... But that being said, I am sure we are bringing in extra stands for both sides but I would get there early. There are no locker rooms at the field. The school is about 1 mile away from the field. This field has a lot of tradition and meaning to the home town fans... Rather than judge the facilities on the size, look at this field as a 'throw back' type stadium.

[Yodiak2]

Is there a roster for Jackson online ? I was just curious about the size of the team.

[dbr770]

yodiak, I dont think its an issue of judging the facility. The Ironmen could play great ball in a mudfield, the problem I think jackson fans are concerned with is seating. We are ALL coming!!

[Yodiak2]

dbr...
All I can say is get there early... If you are serious about bringing 3,000 fans, then you need to get there by 5:00 to make sure you get a seat. I will probably bee there by 4:30 or whenever they open the gates.