D3 R12 Semifinal Jackson 7 vs. Jonathan Alder 28 Final Score

[ironman02]

Division III - Region 12 Semifinal - Jackson Ironmen (11-0) vs. Jonathan Alder Pioneers (11-0)

Game will be played at Logan Chieftain Stadium. Here are the season results for both teams...

Jackson Ironmen (11-0)

8/27 H Wellston (5-5) [4:15] W 35-0
9/2 H Waverly (3-7) [4:15] W 49-0
9/9 A Vinton County (1-9) [3:12] W 42-0
9/16 A Logan (1-9) [2:7] W 49-32
9/24 A Warren (5-5) [2:7] W 42-17
9/30 H Portsmouth (3-7) [4:15] W 56-6
10/7 A Ironton (6-4) [4:15] W 28-22
10/14 H St Charles (4-6) [1:3] W 49-35
10/21 A Chillicothe (3-7) [2:7] W 51-10
10/28 H Gallia Academy (6-4) [3:12] W 27-6
11/4 A Athens (10-0) [3:12] W 27-7

Jonathan Alder Pioneers (11-0)

8/26 H Thomas Worthington (4-6) [1:3] W 37-0
9/2 H Marysville (6-4) [1:3] W 21-0
9/9 A Clinton-Massie (8-2) [4:16] W 29-28
9/16 A Miami Trace (5-5) [3:12] W 49-0
9/23 A London (4-6) [3:12] W 41-7
9/30 H Ironton (6-4) [4:15] W 17-0
10/7 H Washington (5-5) [3:12] W 62-14
10/14 A Logan (1-9) [2:7] W 42-0
10/21 H Marion Harding (3-7) [2:7] W 51-7
10/28 H Bishop Watterson (3-7) [3:10] W 27-14
11/4 H Circleville Logan Elm (9-1) [3:12] W 35-21

What are everyone's thoughts on this matchup?

[starbase_318]

SILENCE THE NAYSAYER!!!!

[coop]

Alder is the "favorite" but youve gotta play the game. In D-5 LCC was the favorite to win the state, they are now home. ANYTHING can happen. GO JACKSON

[FANOSPORTS]

Alder beat Logan Elm tonight without their two best running backs playing. The 3rd team kid was in there and I don't know right now if the first two were injured sometime during the game or just held out and sat tonight to heal but this was a story on the scoreboard show on 610 AM radio tonight here in Columbus. If the starting backs are out Jackson will have a better chance of winning for sure. I'll post my prediction later in the week.

[ironman02]

One of Alder's backs had a concussion last week. The other sustained some type of injury against Watterson also. At least that's what I heard.

I don't know if they'll be back for Week 12, but I'm sure Jackson will prepare for them.

Both teams appear to be a little banged up, so hopefully everyone can get healthy, or as close to it as possible.

[TigerHillbilly]

Alder to much for Jackson

[bman]

Alder has a tremendous offensive line. I'll take them over the Ironmen.

[questionmark]

I was really impressed with the Ironmen rushing attack and they run the option just as good as anyone else...

Add in a stingy Defense, and I think Jackson will surprise some people. They have a great team and can definitely beat Alder. That is why you have to play the game!

Good Luck Ironmen!

[Ironman88]

jackson defense play tough d against athens held good seasoned back (sharp) probably one of his lowest rushing games in his career.jackson went to another level on offense drew ervin look like d1 player break away speed,power, running over people.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I KNEW YOU ALL WOULD HANDLE ATHENS. THEY PLAY WAY TOO WEAK A SCHEDULE FOR D3. NOW MAY BE THE STIFFEST TEST. THIS ONE IS GONNA BE TOUGH, BUT I'M SURELY ROOTING FOR THE IRONMEN. AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, AMAZING SEASON SO FAR.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

AND A GREAT YEAR FOR ATHENS AS WELL, BUT TO COMPETE PAST WEEK 10, THEY ARE GONNA HAVE TO WORK ON THAT SCHEDULE.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

alder and ironton was scoreless at the half in an extremely muddy game. but just too much depth, by alder, and too many missed tackles by the tigers.

[ironmen85]

What I would like to know is people that watched Ironton and Logan play both Jackson and Alder what is your perspective you seen both teams play against your squads what are the strengths and weakness for Jackson and Alder that you seen between these two schools thanks

[crazymidgets]

This is as good of a Jackson team as they have had as far as I can remember, there should be no doubt they can play with any team in d3. Just go beat their a#%
good luck Ironmen.

[maniac66]

Jackson can win this game no doubt in my mind.
But they need to control the line of scrimmage and control the clock Alter gets ahead they can and will grind it.
Play hard and smart Jackson and you can and will win.
Good Luck Ironmen

[pappy1]

Congratulations Jackson. Keep on keepin' on.
Mentally treat this game as if you were playing a very tough opponent in the seventh week of the regular season. Why? Because you will have three games to go after you win this one.

I look for this to be a high scoring game. Its a matter of time before the JHS small defensive line will be exploited. They have come up big when they had to the last two weeks. I hope they keep it up, but as you can probably tell I am apprehensive.

It will take a lot of team speed to take away all of Jackson's offensive threats. Hoping that doesn't happen this week either.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

What I would like to know is people that watched Ironton and Logan play both Jackson and Alder what is your perspective you seen both teams play against your squads what are the strengths and weakness for Jackson and Alder that you seen between these two schools thanks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ALDER IS A BUNCH OF SMASHMOUTH MEANIES, WHICH SUITED IRONTON JUST FINE.BUT IN THE END THEY JUST HAD TOO MUCH DEPTH, BUT IRONTON HELD THEM TO NOTHING THE FIRST HALF. WE JUST LET THEM GUT US UO THE MIDDLE , MISSED A BUNCH OF TACKLES, AND LET THEM GET OUTSIDE A COUPLE TIMES. THEY SCORED ALL 17 POINTS THE SECOND HALF.

[ji81grad]

The Ironmen Offense will need to get off the bus prior to the game this week rather than wait for halftime like they did last night. The defense will be hard pressed to hold up if the offense doesn't lend early support.

Make no mistake, Athens played good defense but the Jackson offensive line seemed sluggish and Drew Ervin seemed tentative in the first half. In the second half the line came off the ball better and Drew returned to his familiar downhill running style and the difference was impressive.

Considering the size and athleticism of the Alder offensive line, it is very important for the Ironmen to get off to a fast start and force Alder to play from behind and not allow them to settle into their comfort zone.

In 2004 an undermanned Ironmen Squad travelled to Cincinnati to face an unbeatable opponent. The team picked to win the DII State Title that year. Withrow was the largest DII school in the state (they moved to DI the next year) and Jackson was the smallest DII (later dropping to DIII). The game was moved to Taft High School because Withrow's Field was torn up grass and the turf was to their advantage. Yet there in amidst inner city Cincinnati, the impossible happened.

Jackson 36
Withrow 35

An example of why they play the game. Undoubtedly the best team I ever saw a Jackson Team beat.

[Neutron Man]

I'm totally on board with Jackson! A solid team that I as a Pirate fan am not looking forward to playing next season. Keep Rolling this season and keep representing Southern Ohio!!!

[blubomber89]

Jackson played a good game, but they didn't hold Sharp to the lowest yard total Athens coach did 13 carries 6 in the first half and 7 in the second half. Quarter back threw the ball 40 times and that is not how we played all year. With that said great game Jackson tough match up against Alder.