Week 1 - Jackson @ Wellston

[boilermaker]

8/28/10 get a ticket and be there early for a good place to view this game. The Rockets win and start a streak of their own!

[Dundas]

Boiler, will you be setting by my bald uncle?

[ironman02]

8/28/10 get a ticket and be there early for a good place to view this game. The Rockets win and start a streak of their own!

Awfully confident, aren't you?

I know I'll be getting there early. Supposed to be a little warmer on Saturday, but it should feel pretty nice by gametime. Only three more days!

[boilermaker]

Yes I am ! Even though most are saying ...Jackson's too big ....too physical ....too fast.....HOG WASH!The kids from Wellston will be there and play hard and win this game.

[ironman02]

The Rockets should be confident about this game. They have a new staff that has created a lot of excitement around the program and instilled a positive attitude in the kids. They have some of the most talented skill players in the area, in my opinion. They'll be playing on their home field, which is always helpful even if it's just because of familiarity and routine. This is a game that no one (outside of Wellston) gives them a chance in, as seen by most of the posts on this topic. They have nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

I do think Jackson's size will definitely be a factor in the game. However, the Ironmen will need to be in great physical condition for that size to really take its toll late in the game. They looked a little tired against Burg, so that better not happen on Saturday. Jackson always plays physical football, but I'm sure that Wellston won't be backing down. I wouldn't think Jackson would have much of a speed advantage, if any at all. Prater and Osborne look to be two of the fastest backs in the area. I can't really gauge overall team speed, though.

It all comes down to the same thing it always does, though. Who will win the battle up front? Both teams have great skill players, but which team can get it done in the trenches? In my opinion, that's Jackson, but I'm obviously a little partial to them. I'm sure Coach Hutch will have his team fired up and ready to play, but you can bet that the Ironmen are coming to Wellston to take care of business. They've won this game when they've been the better team, and they've won it when they haven't. They don't hope to win...they expect to win. They know that the pressure is on them to deliver, and when it's all said and done, I feel like they'll get the job done.

[jungle cat]

Who does the might Ironmen have next week? Green Bobcat or Sciotoville, or maybe Manchester. Play a good schedule and leave the little guys alone. Jackson has nothing to gain in this game.

[Wellston Ironman]

The streak will continue, and I highly doubt that it ends anytime in the foreseeable future.

Maybe a consolidation is in order so this madness can be stopped.

You mean you honestly think putting Wellston and Oak hill together would make it possible for JHS to lose?

[Caulker10]

There definatley not gaining nothing when they get stomped on.

[ironmen1987]

Who does the might Ironmen have next week? Green Bobcat or Sciotoville, or maybe Manchester. Play a good schedule and leave the little guys alone. Jackson has nothing to gain in this game.

was sorta hoping Huntington Ross had an opening.

[Caulker10]

The ironmen better be focused on one team, and that's wellston. Cuz they have some players like osborne, prater, miller and company. That's not scared to cram the football down Jacksons throat. Bring one home rockets.

[ironmen1987]

imagine 1500 Ironmen fans invading Huntsmen field. be like trying to play a football game in the middle of the apple festival

[ji81grad]

A number of things go into the scheduling of a football season. These days economics plays a huge role as schools try to keep their athletic budgets under control. Short travel distances and big gates are sought by most schools. Jackson is no exception. Football has to help pay the bills for other sports. Criticize Jackson's schedule all you want, it is your right although most of the criticism isn't simply based upon facts, most is based on dislike. Jackson plays Wellston, Waverly and Vinton County due to their close proximity and relatively large draw. I know that many would like to see Jackson schedule top Division II and III programs every week as this would make their schedule much more suitable in the opinoin of the experts, but do you realize the travel involved in playing that type of schedule in this area? One would have to travel to the Cincinnati or Columbus area every week to do so and inevitably lose thousands in gate revenues in the process while spending thousands on travel. This would be financially crippling to our Athletic Department and fiscally irresponsible on the part of the Athletic Director.

Wellston vs Jackson is always a very entertaining matchup even though it has been one sided lately, the drama and intensity is seldom matched anywhere. Wellston will win again, maybe even this year.

We all can't be the mighty Chieftans and schedule up in our immediate area. I am old enough to remember the criticism heaped upon Logan for scheduling down for years, and the continued criticism for dominating a DII, III & IV League with a DI school. That is also unfair. There aren't any DI leagues in the area.

[ironman02]

That's a very good post, ji81grad. I'm one of the people who would like to see Jackson shake up the non-league schedule, but at the same time, I understand that there are many factors at play. It's hard to look past the financial benefits that the rivalry creates for both schools, especially in times of economic hardship on such a widespread scale.

I think an interesting idea, with respect to the Jackson/Wellston game, might be to use the OHSAA's new Jamboree Game. I'm sure people would still pay money to watch the Ironmen and Rockets do battle, even if it's only a Jamboree, rather than a regular season contest. That still doesn't address travel concerns for other non-league opponents, but games against Wheelersburg, Portsmouth West, Circleville, etc may be somewhat feasible. And before anyone that's reading this jumps to conclusions, I'm not saying that Wellston can't compete with Jackson. There have been games during this streak where the Rockets came very close to getting a win. I just think that Jackson's program would benefit from taking on some different challenges, and being exposed to some other competition.

Anyway, I guess it doesn't really matter. Jackson and Wellston are playing in Week 1, it means the world to the players, coaches, and fans, the gate will be HUGE, and it's going to be a heck of an atmosphere on Saturday. I'm sick of waiting...it needs to be 8PM on 8/28 right now!

[Wellston Ironman]

Wellston stays close till warmups are over...

Wellston 20
Jackson 56

[FANOSPORTS]

Wellston stays close till warmups are over...

Wellston 20
Jackson 56

So are you a Jackson graduate who lives in Wellston ?

[crazee-oakaholic]

I think it would be stupid to stop playing this game. Look how much money it makes for each school each year! It is also a hype for the players and students at each school. Its a rival game, and those weeks are school are always the funnest!

[Rocket50]

1 more day and this will all be settled!

[Caulker10]

Watched wellston practice lastnight, lots of emotions flying. There pumped and they looked sharp. Go Rockets. Wellston will riot the streets tomorrow night.

[Orange and Brown]

Good luck to both teams tomorrow night. I hope it's a great game.

[boilermaker]

Wellston ironman must be lossing confidence, he was saying 56-0 now 56 -20 .