Jackson 2009 Ironmen

[boogerred]

Maybe that is what the person who said that meant, but that is not what was typed means.

[irish08]

What????????

[wrestlersdad6766]

Doesn't Wellston have a really strong senior class? I would say that Jackson better not underestimate the Rockets. The Ironmen will have to come out and play a solid football game to get the win.

yes they do as in most of them have started since they were sophmores should be a good game but jackson has had wellstons number..... but anything can happen because it depends on how you play that day not on how hard you work or practice...(not saying that doesnt have anything to do with it) just saying what team plays harder and has less mistakes and a couple things go there way is what team will win.... good luck to both teams

[Solomon]

I dont care if they are seniors, they have never won at anything. Just because they are seniors, they all of sudden learn how to win. Give me sophmores that play together and know how to win against talented seniors any day and you can name your odds.

[wrestlersdad6766]

I dont care if they are seniors, they have never won at anything. Just because they are seniors, they all of sudden learn how to win. Give me sophmores that play together and know how to win against talented seniors any day and you can name your odds.

Never won at anything???? for one i never stated that they were all of a sudden gonna win everything i was just saying the do have a good senior class i never said they were going to win you need to read before you post.

[ironman02]

Has Jackson participated in any 7-on-7s yet? Are there any others scheduled?

Also, who will Jackson be scrimmaging this year? It has been Meigs and Wheelersburg for a while now, but are there any changes since Coach Hall has taken over? What about a Jamboree game?

Sorry for asking so many questions, but hopefully someone has some info because I haven't heard anything.

[ironman02]

Anybody have any information?

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

ironman02....I've been on vacation in steamy South Carolina and out of the loop for the last week. If I find out something upon my return, I will let you know.

[ironman02]

Thanks, keyser_soze78. I appreciate it.

[kman89]

02 right now the schedule has a 7 on 7 on 7/16 with Logan Elm (9-11:30) in the morning and Minford in the evening(6:00). 7/23 7 on 7 with Wheelersburg in the morning (9-11:30) and Piketon in the evening(6:00). Scrimmages are 8/15 10:00 at home with Meigs and 8/21 at Burg 6:00. Also an intra squad scrimmage 8/8 (9-11:30)

[hsfbfan]

I remember reading about the Ironmen getting new uni's. Does anyone know what they're going to look like?

[Solomon]

Excuse me, I assumed. Still they may have a good senior class, but they still got to win on game day and I don't see it.

[ironman02]

Thanks kman89. Are those passing scrimmages at home?

[wrestlefan1]

if anyone has contact info for the hc, will they pm it to me,
trying to get another 7 vs 7 scheduled..

[kman89]

02 I will try and find out about the passing scrimmage locations and HSFBFAN it has been brought up getting the new uniforms but my source can't remember what was said about them. I will see if my source can get some answers when he hits it next week.

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

ironman02....I saw Doug Wooten at Wal-Mart Wednesday night, and he told me all of the Jackson 7-on-7s will be at home. They have one on Thursday, July 16.

He said he would get me all of the information, perhaps as early as Saturday should I see him at the James Lauranitis event at Alumni Stadium.

[ironman02]

Thanks keyser_soze78. How was the Laurinaitis event? I was out of town and couldn't make it.

kman...thanks to you as well.

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

ironman02.....Here are the Jackson 7-on-7s, all of which are at home. I will post my James Laurinaits story in a minute. Despite the weather which moved it indoors, it went well.

July 16- Logan Elm & Minford- 6 p.m.

July 23- Piketon and Wheelersburg- 6 p.m.

July 31- 6 or 7 Teams- 6 p.m.

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Laurinaitis speech highlights event

Ex-OSU star in spotlight at Mothers’ Club Fundraiser

By PAUL BOGGS

Sports Editor

Simply put, no storm on Saturday was going to stop the flood of Scarlet and Gray — and Red and White — inside the Jackson High School gymnasium.

Despite severe weather which resulted in a last-minute shift in sites, Saturday’s Jackson Football Mothers Club fundraiser was a rousing success, highlighted by the appearance of the most decorated linebacker in Ohio State football history.

In front of a large crowd inside Jackson High School, James Laurinaitis spoke of never giving up on one’s dreams and of making good life choices, as he was the keynote speaker prior to Saturday’s Ohio State memorabilia auction which capped the day’s activities.

“This is pretty cool,” he admitted near the conclusion of his remarks.

After addressing the Jackson High School football team, Laurinaitis — to a warm reception by those in attendance — spoke of his experiences while playing football at Ohio State and since being drafted by the Saint Louis Rams of the National Football League.

The two speeches spoke the same message.

“Keep dreaming and make the right decisions in life,” Laurinaitis told the crowd. “The choices you make in life are crucial, and those carry from high school to college and beyond. There are some tough decisions you have to make, and sometimes you have to say no to drinking and parties and things like that. I went to a school with around 800 kids, a lot which tried to influence me in a good way and a lot in a bad way. The decisions you make have a direct effect on your life in one way or another.”

In between his two speeches, he took a few minutes to interview with The Jackson County Times-Journal.

“Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t make it,” said Laurinaitis. “I was told all the way from high school in Minnesota…even the newspaper writers in my own state would say you’ll go to Ohio State and ride the bench for four years. But I was thinking to myself that you have to keep working. I’m not the fastest nor the strongest, but no one’s going to out-compete me. I take pride in that, and I want to pass that message on to them (Ironmen football team) to never to give up.”

The event was originally scheduled to be held at Alumni Stadium, but a severe thunderstorm which produced heavy rain, thunder and lightning forced the activities into the JHS gym.

The doors opened at 3 p.m., but in less than an hour, the scene had shifted to the gymnasium due to the weather.

As the public arrived prior to 5 p.m., so too did Laurinaitis, as he met members of the Jackson High School football team and coaching staff.

After autographing a few items and photographs, Laurinaitis addressed this year’s Ironmen.

“I was explaining to them what I’ve been up to lately, but I told them to really enjoy this moment. It seems like just yesterday I was in high school,” he said.

The son of Joe Laurinaitis — who was known as the famous professional wrestler “Animal” — James Laurinaitis played high school football at Wyazata High School in Minnesota, where he was the 2004 Minnesota Defensive Mr. Football as a senior.

He signed to play in college at Ohio State, becoming the Buckeyes’ first scholarship player from Minnesota since the legendary NFL coach Sid Gilman in 1930.

While at Ohio State, he became the most decorated linebacker in Buckeye history and helped lead the Scarlet and Gray to four straight Bowl Championship Series bowls, including back-to-back BCS National Championship games.

He was a three-year starting middle linebacker for the Buckeyes, and a three-time All-American.

Among his many awards are the 2006 Nagurski Award (nation’s best defensive player), the 2007 Butkus Award (nation’s most outstanding linebacker), the 2007 and 2008 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Awards, the 2008 Ronnie Lott Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year Award and the 2008 Lowe’s Senior Class Award.

He was twice a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (presented to the nation’s top defender by the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia), and — as a senior — was one of five defensive players among 15 finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year.

Laurinaitis left Ohio State as the fourth player in school history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career.

He ranked second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with an average of 10 tackles per game.

He recorded a career-high 130 tackles, including 52 solo, this past season.

On April 25, Laurinaitis was drafted by the Saint Louis Rams with the 35th overall selection in the annual NFL Draft.

He was the third overall pick in the second round.

All of those accomplishments were highlighted by the event’s tri-emcees — the longtime Jackson Football radio broadcast team of Dan Dobbins (play-by-play), Dan Morrow (analyst) and Pete Wilson (statistician).

The trio took turns reading off Laurinaitis’ career highlights and honors, including Morrow, who — in all of his turns at the microphone — spoke of Laurinaitis never losing in all four years to Ohio State’s archrival — the Michigan Wolverines.

“Now in case you weren’t paying attention, the score stands James Laurinaitis 4, the University of Michigan 0,” said Morrow in his final turn.

Morrow’s repeating of Laurinaitis’ record against Michigan, as expected, drew loud applause from the audience.

So too did Laurinaitis’ own “Michigan sucks” remark, as did his comment about “knocking out (former Michigan running back) Mike Hart in that (2005 Ohio State at Michigan) game.”

Laurinaitis took over the starting middle linebacker spot in that contest, after starter Bobby Carpenter broke his leg on the first play from scrimmage.

The rest, as they say, is history.

In both his remarks to the Ironmen and to the public, Laurinaitis described Draft Day as “the best and worst day of my life.”

“I was there in Minnesota with my family, the draft started at 4 p.m., and I was excited because there were a few teams that I wanted to go to. Three hours later, it’s pick 20. The Atlanta Falcons talked to me (at pick 24), the (Super Bowl champion) Pittsburgh Steelers talked to me (at pick 32), but I hadn’t been picked yet. Finally, I got that phone call from Saint Louis, and they asked if they could turn the draft card in with my name on it. I said ‘Go ahead,’” recalled Laurinaitis. “At that moment, that was the best day of my life. All my dreams were realized. It just shows what can happen when you continue to follow your dreams.”

Since the draft — and a pair of Ram minicamps — Laurinaitis has graduated with a degree in Strategic Communications, and has been involved in the Buckeye State with appearances such as Saturday’s in Jackson.

“There’s been a lot of outreach stuff,” he said. “I’ve been able to go out and meet the fans and give back to them. They don’t have this kind of stuff in Minnesota at all. With the support I’ve had from the fans in Ohio, I want to give back and meet them and share stories and just enjoy it all.”

While Laurinaitis has not officially signed with the Rams, he does expect to ink a four-year deal prior to the opening of the Rams’ training camp, which is set for Wednesday, July 29.

“I’m looking forward to impacting the team in any way I can. If that’s as a starter, it’s a starter. If that’s special teams, it’s special teams,” he said. “I know they drafted me for a reason in the second round, but I still have to prove myself and go out there and try to do some good things.”

He said he will wear the jersey number 55, keeping “a double number” from his “33” at Ohio State.

Speaking of jerseys, Laurinaitis then spent nearly two hours autographing clothing, photos, helmets, footballs, magazines and other items for the first 400 individuals which purchased a particular ticket.

The $15 red tickets also allowed those individuals to have their photographs taken with Laurinaitis.

Jackson Football Mothers Club Treasurer Lovel Quinn said all 400 of the $15 tickets were sold.

[email protected]

* * *

Information from www.wikipedia.org was used in this story.

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Laurinaitis speech highlights event

Ex-OSU star in spotlight at Mothers’ Club Fundraiser

By PAUL BOGGS

Sports Editor

Simply put, no storm on Saturday was going to stop the flood of Scarlet and Gray — and Red and White — inside the Jackson High School gymnasium.

Despite severe weather which resulted in a last-minute shift in sites, Saturday’s Jackson Football Mothers Club fundraiser was a rousing success, highlighted by the appearance of the most decorated linebacker in Ohio State football history.

In front of a large crowd inside Jackson High School, James Laurinaitis spoke of never giving up on one’s dreams and of making good life choices, as he was the keynote speaker prior to Saturday’s Ohio State memorabilia auction which capped the day’s activities.

“This is pretty cool,” he admitted near the conclusion of his remarks.

After addressing the Jackson High School football team, Laurinaitis — to a warm reception by those in attendance — spoke of his experiences while playing football at Ohio State and since being drafted by the Saint Louis Rams of the National Football League.

The two speeches spoke the same message.

“Keep dreaming and make the right decisions in life,” Laurinaitis told the crowd. “The choices you make in life are crucial, and those carry from high school to college and beyond. There are some tough decisions you have to make, and sometimes you have to say no to drinking and parties and things like that. I went to a school with around 800 kids, a lot which tried to influence me in a good way and a lot in a bad way. The decisions you make have a direct effect on your life in one way or another.”

In between his two speeches, he took a few minutes to interview with The Jackson County Times-Journal.

“Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t make it,” said Laurinaitis. “I was told all the way from high school in Minnesota…even the newspaper writers in my own state would say you’ll go to Ohio State and ride the bench for four years. But I was thinking to myself that you have to keep working. I’m not the fastest nor the strongest, but no one’s going to out-compete me. I take pride in that, and I want to pass that message on to them (Ironmen football team) to never to give up.”

The event was originally scheduled to be held at Alumni Stadium, but a severe thunderstorm which produced heavy rain, thunder and lightning forced the activities into the JHS gym.

The doors opened at 3 p.m., but in less than an hour, the scene had shifted to the gymnasium due to the weather.

As the public arrived prior to 5 p.m., so too did Laurinaitis, as he met members of the Jackson High School football team and coaching staff.

After autographing a few items and photographs, Laurinaitis addressed this year’s Ironmen.

“I was explaining to them what I’ve been up to lately, but I told them to really enjoy this moment. It seems like just yesterday I was in high school,” he said.

The son of Joe Laurinaitis — who was known as the famous professional wrestler “Animal” — James Laurinaitis played high school football at Wyazata High School in Minnesota, where he was the 2004 Minnesota Defensive Mr. Football as a senior.

He signed to play in college at Ohio State, becoming the Buckeyes’ first scholarship player from Minnesota since the legendary NFL coach Sid Gilman in 1930.

While at Ohio State, he became the most decorated linebacker in Buckeye history and helped lead the Scarlet and Gray to four straight Bowl Championship Series bowls, including back-to-back BCS National Championship games.

He was a three-year starting middle linebacker for the Buckeyes, and a three-time All-American.

Among his many awards are the 2006 Nagurski Award (nation’s best defensive player), the 2007 Butkus Award (nation’s most outstanding linebacker), the 2007 and 2008 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Awards, the 2008 Ronnie Lott Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year Award and the 2008 Lowe’s Senior Class Award.

He was twice a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (presented to the nation’s top defender by the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia), and — as a senior — was one of five defensive players among 15 finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year.

Laurinaitis left Ohio State as the fourth player in school history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career.

He ranked second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with an average of 10 tackles per game.

He recorded a career-high 130 tackles, including 52 solo, this past season.

On April 25, Laurinaitis was drafted by the Saint Louis Rams with the 35th overall selection in the annual NFL Draft.

He was the third overall pick in the second round.

All of those accomplishments were highlighted by the event’s tri-emcees — the longtime Jackson Football radio broadcast team of Dan Dobbins (play-by-play), Dan Morrow (analyst) and Pete Wilson (statistician).

The trio took turns reading off Laurinaitis’ career highlights and honors, including Morrow, who — in all of his turns at the microphone — spoke of Laurinaitis never losing in all four years to Ohio State’s archrival — the Michigan Wolverines.

“Now in case you weren’t paying attention, the score stands James Laurinaitis 4, the University of Michigan 0,” said Morrow in his final turn.

Morrow’s repeating of Laurinaitis’ record against Michigan, as expected, drew loud applause from the audience.

So too did Laurinaitis’ own “Michigan sucks” remark, as did his comment about “knocking out (former Michigan running back) Mike Hart in that (2005 Ohio State at Michigan) game.”

Laurinaitis took over the starting middle linebacker spot in that contest, after starter Bobby Carpenter broke his leg on the first play from scrimmage.

The rest, as they say, is history.

In both his remarks to the Ironmen and to the public, Laurinaitis described Draft Day as “the best and worst day of my life.”

“I was there in Minnesota with my family, the draft started at 4 p.m., and I was excited because there were a few teams that I wanted to go to. Three hours later, it’s pick 20. The Atlanta Falcons talked to me (at pick 24), the (Super Bowl champion) Pittsburgh Steelers talked to me (at pick 32), but I hadn’t been picked yet. Finally, I got that phone call from Saint Louis, and they asked if they could turn the draft card in with my name on it. I said ‘Go ahead,’” recalled Laurinaitis. “At that moment, that was the best day of my life. All my dreams were realized. It just shows what can happen when you continue to follow your dreams.”

Since the draft — and a pair of Ram minicamps — Laurinaitis has graduated with a degree in Strategic Communications, and has been involved in the Buckeye State with appearances such as Saturday’s in Jackson.

“There’s been a lot of outreach stuff,” he said. “I’ve been able to go out and meet the fans and give back to them. They don’t have this kind of stuff in Minnesota at all. With the support I’ve had from the fans in Ohio, I want to give back and meet them and share stories and just enjoy it all.”

While Laurinaitis has not officially signed with the Rams, he does expect to ink a four-year deal prior to the opening of the Rams’ training camp, which is set for Wednesday, July 29.

“I’m looking forward to impacting the team in any way I can. If that’s as a starter, it’s a starter. If that’s special teams, it’s special teams,” he said. “I know they drafted me for a reason in the second round, but I still have to prove myself and go out there and try to do some good things.”

He said he will wear the jersey number 55, keeping “a double number” from his “33” at Ohio State.

Speaking of jerseys, Laurinaitis then spent nearly two hours autographing clothing, photos, helmets, footballs, magazines and other items for the first 400 individuals which purchased a particular ticket.

The $15 red tickets also allowed those individuals to have their photographs taken with Laurinaitis.

Jackson Football Mothers Club Treasurer Lovel Quinn said all 400 of the $15 tickets were sold.

[email protected]

* * *

Information from http://www.wikipedia.org was used in this story.