SEOAL: Jackson (4-1, 2-0) at Portsmouth (2-3, 1-1)

[trojandave]

I am still holding out hope that our Trojans can get things turned around.......BUT WE HAVE GOT TO DEFEND THE RUN BETTER..........I honestly, though, don't really know what to expect Friday night.

GO TROJANS!!!

[loganlocos]

Jackson reminds of the 1999 Logan team that was the first LHS to make the playoff since 1987.

That team opened the year with a VERY disappointing 16-10 loss to New Lexington.

Logan rebounded to win 9 straight games to win the SEOAL title and finished 10-0 in each of the next two regular seasons.


Jackson and Wellston have gone in opposite directions since week 1, Jackson has rebounded in a BIG way and Wellston has struggled. I was at that game, Wellston was the better team THAT NIGHT by far, but my guess is the Rockets wouldn't want a rematch.

Forget that loss, Jackson is a good football team. How good? We'll see over the next few weeks. But they are my pick to win the SEOAL title.

[LetsGoPSU]

I believe this game may come down to the wire just as the games of the past have done.Jackson should get the W , But my Trojans will play much better.....prove me wrong Trojans, this is a must win for you guys!

[noreply66]

Maybe the league champs will have a 2 under the L

[Archie]

Is the Meyers kid still on the team??? Is he injured or benched for some reason???

Josh Myers is injured. I was told he has an injury to his lower leg which occurred in the Wilmington game. It has to be treated as a stress fracture. He could be out indefinately. :122247

[biggdowgg]

even with all thats gone on, we are still standing at 8 , if we can pull off a couple upsets we can still make post season...dont give up yet Trojans....

[Old*rocket]

jackson by 2 scores

[sider]

My logic says Portsmouth can't stop the run and Jackson will run over them, but my heart says Portsmouth will toughen up and realize if they want to save their season they have to win...So Ill take Portsmouth 21-19

[Trojan_fan]

So many valid points that I'm hesitant to even offer anything. After watching each and every game I think we really need work in the trenches on both sides of the ball. We have linebackers that can do the job but we have to slow down the run game up front so they can do their thing. On offense we have the ability to run the ball but our blocking to open up the hole to allow access leaves much to be desired. I'm hopeful that the coaches will see these things and really prepare for whats coming. Chilli, only threw one pass and ran the ball the rest of the time. We could barely run the ball past the line of scrimmage when we tried. Jackson can be compared to both West & Chilli in their ability so I hope the team really buckles down in practice this week and comes out ready to play smashmouth football this Friday.... Go Trojans!

[TrojanXplosion]

This might sound harsh and I'm sorry if it does. I realize these are high school kids so in the end, they need to have fun and that's the most important thing. Also, it is just a game. I enjoy watching good football. I like to see both Minford and Portsmouth do well because I have ties to both. Watching Portsmouth this year, a loss doesn't bother me at all. But, lack of intensity does. I'm not knocking Chillicothe or West and I'm especially am not knocking any kid at Portsmouth because I know they practice hard but you can't tell me Chilly and West are both 30 some odd points better than Portsmouth. I just find that hard to believe. I have no prediction for this Jackson game but all I ask from the Portsmouth kids is that they come out and compete until the end. Because if they do that, they might still lose but no way in do they lose by 30 to anyone on their schedule. Myers or no Myers this week, show me something Trojans.

[trojandave]

FalconFan: No need to apologize for your comments.......you're just keeping it real.......I do believe that the Trojans are capable of playing some good football and have shown it this year.......they just haven't been consistent but now they need to be with 5 games left........as biggdowgg said, we are #8 in the computer standings and a win over 4-1 D3 Jackson would give us big computer points.

Along with you FalconFan, I want to see our Trojans come out of that locker room with INTENSITY from START TO FINISH!!

Right now, Portsmouth is still in the running for the SEOAL title and a playoff spot.......especially for our seniors, of which we have a lot starting, it is now the home stretch......let's make it happen!!

GO TROJANS!!

[sider]

I feel as though run defense is similar to defense and rebounding in basketball...its a matter of effort rather than a matter have to have a skill, theres an old saying that says "defense never takes a night off"...I think Portsmouth needs to buy into that philosophy. They have big, strong boys up front they just have to realize the opportunity the have in a wide-open Seoal and that their season and a chance to win the conference is slipping away, hopefully they can turn it around, I'd love to see them in the playoffs against West again

[maniac66]

Going with Jackson this game just think they are playing a little better than portsmouth right now

[Blazer83]

I feel as though run defense is similar to defense and rebounding in basketball...its a matter of effort rather than a matter have to have a skill, theres an old saying that says "defense never takes a night off"...I think Portsmouth needs to buy into that philosophy. They have big, strong boys up front they just have to realize the opportunity the have in a wide-open Seoal and that their season and a chance to win the conference is slipping away, hopefully they can turn it around, I'd love to see them in the playoffs against West again

Nobody will disagree with you about defense being about effort. But as for size, it is really about heart and speed. Jackson, for example, uses a couple of cornerback sized down lineman on defense when the O-line splits are nice and wide. They are fast and hit hard. Then, the big boys rotate in when they narrow the splits. Another great coaching philisophy Jackson uses is that no O-lineman or D-lineman ever has a starting spot until after film is reviewed and players graded. Of the 6 or 7 athletes capable of starting any game, the highest grades get the start. But the other 2 or 3 rotate in and out frequently. Thats why you sometimes see a couple different starters from week to week on the lines. Competition makes for better competition. I think Jackson runs the table while averaging 40+ per game.

[grndma1]

I won't make it back from the airport in time to be at the game, but I want to wish both teams an injury free and exciting game. Sorry to have to miss my Portsmouth friends this go around. Go Ironmen!!!!!!!!!

[mattash]

SHould be a good game.

[Old*rocket]

Jackson runs all over portsmouth.

[ironman02]

To say I was surprised by the result of the Portsmouth-Chillicothe game would be an understatement. I didn't expect Portsmouth to lose that game, and I certainly didn't expect them to get blown out. However, Chillicothe has played a pretty tough non-conference schedule and I'm sure they're improving each week under Ron Hinton. Add that to the fact that Portsmouth was missing some key players, Chillicothe was winless and might have been underestimated by the Trojans, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Anyway, I said all of that to say this. Portsmouth still is a VERY talented football team and I expect them to play very well against Jackson on Friday. I hope that the Ironmen take care of the Trojans as easily as many people are predicting, but I just don't think that will be the case. Jackson will have to play VERY well to go into the Trojan Coliseum and get a win to remain unbeaten in the SEOAL play.

I look for Jackson to once again try to establish the running game. Portsmouth has struggled to stop the run, and that's what Jackson is known for, so I would expect a steady dose of Arthur and Ervin. That said, I really think Coach Hall will try to remain fairly balanced and allow Winchester to make some plays in the passing game at opportune times. Kip is completing over 60% of his passes and has thrown 9 TDs to only 2 INTs (both of which came in Week 1). If the offensive line continues to play well, and Jackson takes care of the football, I think their offense will be tough for the Trojans to handle.

At the same time, though, Portsmouth has plenty of skill players that could give Jackson's defense a lot of trouble. The Trojans have a lot of speed and athleticism, so the Jackson defense better be fundamentally sound and get plenty of people to the ball. If they're trying to make tackles in the open field against some of Portsmouth's athletes, it could be trouble. Jackson has shown steady improvement on the defensive side of the ball as the season has progressed, so I'm hoping that trend will continue. Special teams, specifically kick coverage, will also be a key for the Ironmen. Can't let Portsmouth get any freebies on big special teams plays.

I guess it's basically the same thing I say each week, but if the Ironmen don't turn the ball over and don't make careless mistakes in any of the three phases of the game, I think they'll get the win. Gotta win the battle at the line of scrimmage and tackle on defense. This is step #3 of 6 on the way to an SEOAL title...gotta take care of business.

[Moses Guthrie]

Portsmouth will come out with much more enthusiasm for this one... If the Trojans get the momentum from the start, it will be a good one... If they get down early, it will be a long night for the home team...

[Ironman92]

Typically when Jackson faces Portsmouth, Portsmouth has 2 or 3 athletes that are just flat out better athletes than anyone at Jackson......and Jackson must wrap up contain those players.