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

[swblfootballfan]

right back atcha....must be christmas.... by the way the storm only hits after september....to hot before that....lol

Just think how long of a week it has been for a bunch of kids that have put in the blood, sweat, and tears of summer conditioning, two-a-days, and full regular season just to get a chance to play in week 11.

[swblfootballfan]

can you say wake up call...one team went 9-0 the other 3-6 or something to that effect..... high school football got to love it...just remember the old saying on any given friday or saturday night..... :aaaaa24 :aaaaa18 :aaaaa24 :aaaaa18 :aaaaa22 :aaaaa26 go big red...

Eaton and Jackson are 0-0 this week

[ironmen85]

how many bleachers are they bringing in how many does your bleachers hold their in eaton

[Yodiak2]

how many bleachers are they bringing in how many does your bleachers hold their in eaton

I just went by the field 30 mins ago. They placed small sets of wooden bleachers all along the visitors side. The bleachers are only about 5-6 rows high and about 20 feet long. They probably have about 8 or so of these in addition to the normal bleachers on the visitors side. Also, put additional bleachers in both end zones. In the south endzone the bleachers are metal and probably about 15 rows high and 30 feet long. They put an extra one of these type bleachers on the home side as well.

The normal visitors side has bleachers maybe 15 rows high and they go from about the 35 to 35 yard line. All the rest of the bleachers brought in are from the 35 yd line down on both sides of the normal bleachers..

It is going to be tight. Also, I just went to get my tickets. They said the Jackson school district is saying they will be bringing 800 - 1500 fans.... So that is all Eaton is planning for... Is 3,000 an exaggeration ?

You will be right there close to the action, but I am not sure how the lines of sight are going to be for the fans...
remember, we are a small farming community. We are the 'hicks' and 'rednecks' of our league. But we are good people and will try to be hospitable... Gates open at 5:00. Get there early.

[footballfanatic1]

well fit right in... i'd be surprised big time if we don't bring 2500 people. jhs always travels good...

[dbr770]

50 hrs, 45 minutes to Kickoff , but 2 days sounds a little shorter doesn't it? LOL :aaaaa26 :aaaaa21

[footballfanatic1]

anyone have a time machine handy....

[ironmen85]

Ill be there prolly about 3 on saturday 3000 is not exaggeration we had atleast that at the last game in gallia you would think we could have the same amount atleast from last week come on ironmen fans lets go support ours boys they put in the blood, sweat, and play till they have nothing left we atleast owe them to go watch them play no matter where at GO RED!!!!!!!

[Old*rocket]

I have been to a couple jackson playoff games and yes they do bring around 2500 fans.when they played withrow a few years ago i got per sale tickets thursday night and they had already sold 2250 when i got mine.jackson fans travel well no matter how far the drive.as of now they already have 3 charter busses of fans coming.

[footballfanatic1]

lets go big red...... lets get behind them fans......... roll big red.... : :aaaaa24 :aaaaa24 :aaaaa26 :aaaaa26 :aaaaa26

[Proud Aunt]

Some of us are coming up Friday night to stay so we are there, refreshed, and ready for the game!!!! I will be suprised if there is not at least 3000 fans from Jackson at this game. Already at 3 charter buses not to mention the fans that are driving up....LET'S GO RED!!!!!!

[Ironman92]

35 degrees at kickoff...layer up! Low of 22.

[Ironmannut07]

50 hrs, 45 minutes to Kickoff , but 2 days sounds a little shorter doesn't it? LOL :aaaaa26 :aaaaa21

Yeah I'll go with two days other wise I might try to stay up till the game. Let's go red!!!

[ready 2 score]

I just don't know where there going to park all those (tractors).
(Hog farmers and Hillbilly's).
Now I know why there is so much being (spread around) about this game.
These people are use to (spreading) don't you know?
Why people going by the field will think there is a fair going on.
But we know it's just another high school game where the mothers are the ones that are the most fired up.
Best to all.

[91blue14]

it dont sound like the field will will hold that many people. sounds like a good match up!!

[grndma1]

As of right now, I am riding up with my daughter and son-in-law. We are all sooooo excited. Go Jackson!!!!!!!!!

[playa_44]

Would like to see this game. Go Jackson!

[X-Factor5]

It's finally Friday! Why couldn't this game be played tonight instead of tomorrow night? The next 24 hours will seem like a week. That being said, lets talk a little bit of football.

As we all know, the Jackson Ironmen (9-1) are traveling to Eaton to take on the Eagles (10-0). Eaton is a terrific team with talent and athleticism all over the field. Jackson, as most of us know, are a Power, Smashmouth, Physical football team on both sides of the ball.

Eaton, although I previously stated them to be a 'finese team', can also play very physical football up front. Their defensive line is going to be the overall best the Ironmen have seen all season long, without a doubt. Their offensive line averages about 270 across the board as well. So let's not get to ahead of ourselves thinking that the Ironmen are going to go into Eaton and not allow a point and win by 4 scores. Believe me, thats not going to happen. This game will be very physical in the trenches all night long. However, i don't necessarily believe this game will be decided up front. Both teams MUST make plays in the secondary and in their Linebacking corps. With our run and their pass, this will ultimately prove to be the decisive factor. I know I may take some heat for saying this, but let's think about it here. Eaton throws a lot of two step drop routes to their receivers, allowing them to play in space (this also plays into why Cole French has completed 75% of his passes). As a result of this style of offense, they don't need much time up front. So a missed tackle or two by the Ironmen and see ya! Touchdown Eaton. Now, on the other side of the football, Jackson Running Backs Klay Arthur and Drew Ervin can do a lot with just a slight crease up front. Arthur's yards after contact have been through the roof. So if Klay can break a tackle or two on his own, Touchdown Ironmen! This game has big play potential written all over it. Their high potent offense versus our very agressive defense. Our power running game versus their speedy secondary. Sounds like two pretty good match-ups if you ask me.

Defensively, Eaton runs a typical 4-4 base defense. Similar to Gallia Academy, but not quite the same. The question for Eaton is how they're going to respond to a physical football game. How will the respond to an Offensive Line that is going to bring the wood every play? I think their defensive line will be fine. I'm questioning how their second level Linebackers will respond to our offensive line and lead backs. How well they tackle is going to play a key role as well. As for Jackson, the secondary always seems to be a question for the Ironmen. A lot of the time, people say we are too slow to play with teams such as Eaton. Our defense is quick up front, with some size as well. Our Linebackers are very physical. And probably our best defensive characteristic, we have a difficult defense to prepare for. All of these factors will play key roles Friday night. Another thing people question is how we respond to the pass game, but we have 9 or 10 interceptions on the season. Ty McNelly has 7 alone that i know of, if not more. We play the pass pretty well most of the time. The key to the Ironmen's success on defense, getting pressure on French because he hasn't been hit much all season long and tackling in space. If we do those two things well. We'll live to fight another week.

The kicking game for both teams can be a back breaker. Special teams can be a killer in games like this for the Ironmen. They MUST play every play like it's their last, because that play may be the reason it's their last game.

All week, we've heard a lot of talk about the facilities. Last time i checked though, their field had grass on it. Thats the only thing that matters for these kids. You think these players care of there are locker rooms or how big the sidelines are? Absolutely not. For those of you who seem to have forgotten, we used to play football at the bottom of the hill before Alumni Stadium opened on September 11th, 2004. These kids grew up playing in an environment that had fans close to the action, on a grass surface. A lot of these kids, although thankful for the facilities they have, would very much enjoy a chance to play in this environment and they're looking forward to it. I don't believe that the Eaton facilities will play a negative factor in the game for either team.

Now, given all this information, I believe that Eaton is going to be a great place to be on Saturday night. This game is going to be a very memorable game for both teams. It's almost a shame that one of these teams have to lose. Both teams have worked very hard all season long to get to where they're at now. Only 192 teams out of over 700 in Ohio, are sitting in this position this week. This game can go either way. Thats why it's going to be a great matchup in which the Ironmen squeeze out a win.
I like my Ironmen in this one 33-28.

Go Ironmen!

[dbr770]

Great Post X-Factor5

[Yodiak2]

X-Factor,

Very good summary... For Eaton to stop the Jackson running game, I think the D-line is going to have to slow the Jackson backs up and maybe get a hit on them before they get a head of steam going. The Eaton LBs are under sized but they have big hearts and throw their body around without fear (I know, my son is one of them). The Yoder kid at LB has led the team in tackles the last 2 years on playoff teams. He is quick and will hit, but you are right, tackling at the 2nd and 3rd level will be key to not allowing Jackson to get the big run. On defense, Eaton usually runs a 4 - 2 - 5... When playing a running team with only 2 or 3 wideouts, then we bring a DB or two closer to the line of scrimmage to help out and play the run. I think that is what you will see in this game. When Eaton is on offense, we will try to spread you out with 4 WR and sometimes 5 and see how you re-act... The coaches will change things up and try different things until they find what works... Then they stick to it until the defense makes an adjustment...
I really think this one comes down to penalties, turnovers and special teams... Eaton is OK on specail teams.. We have been pretty good on turnovers... Penalties sometimes drive us nuts...

I think it will be close, especially in the first half... Eaton has been behind in only 2 games all year but did not panic and quickly came back to take the lead..

If I had to predict, I would say Eaton 34 Jackson 26... But I am nervous about this game. The key is for Eaton to slow down the running game. I think we will find out quickly if Eaton can handle the size of the lineman and speed of the backs early in the game.

Lets hope for a good game with no injuries...

How is your QB. Is he doing OK... Is he going to be able to play QB and some Safety ? I hope he does play. It is a big moment in his young life and I would hate to see him miss it. It is something he will always remember.