WK12: #3 Jackson (11-0) vs. #2 Jonathan Alder (11-0)

[ironman02]

Division III Region 11 - Regional Semifinal

Game Location: TBD

Jackson and Jonathan Alder will face off for the second time in a Regional Semifinal (last match-up in 2011). Both teams come into Week 12 with perfect 11-0 records and are two of the four remaining undefeated teams (Streetsboro and Aurora) in Division III. The last time these two programs met, Alder pulled away in the 2nd half to a 28-7 victory. I remember Jackson having three drives of 15+ plays in that game, and they came away with zero points on those drives, but that stuff is ancient history at this point.

In Week 11, Jackson started off a bit slow, but exploded for 28 unanswered points and eventually dropped 70 on Columbus Centennial to win 70-28. Alder also overcame a slow start as they trailed 13-0 before reeling off 35 unanswered points to win 35-13. Alder led 21-13 over Sheridan and scored twice within the final two minutes of the game to seal the win.

Jackson Ironmen (11-0)

8/31 H Wellston (7-3) [5:19] W 23-6
9/6 A Athens (5-5) [3:11] W 31-26
9/13 H Logan (4-6) [2:8] W 28-7
9/20 A Western Brown (2-8) [3:11] W 56-21
9/27 H Wheelersburg (7-3) [5:19] W 35-15
10/4 H McClain (2-8) [4:16] W 59-3
10/11 A Washington (7-3) [4:16] W 34-7
10/18 A Miami Trace (5-5) [3:11] W 48-19
10/25 A Hillsboro (4-6) [4:16] W 42-3
11/1 H Chillicothe (4-6) [2:8] W 49-2
11/8 H # Centennial (9-2) [3:11] W 70-28

Jonathan Alder Pioneers (11-0)

8/30 A Philo (6-4) [4:15] W 24-16
9/6 H Marion Harding (3-7) [2:7] W 35-21
9/13 A Bloom-Carroll (8-2) [4:15] W 42-13
9/20 A Urbana (0-10) [4:16] W 49-14
9/27 H North Union (7-3) [5:18] W 42-8
10/4 A Kenton Ridge (5-5) [4:16] W 35-16
10/11 H Bellefontaine (6-4) [3:11] W 31-21
10/18 A Tecumseh (1-9) [2:8] W 35-14
10/25 H Shawnee (8-2) [5:20] W 56-34
11/1 A London (8-3) [3:11] W 24-23
11/8 H # Sheridan (8-3) [3:11] W 35-13

[ironman02]

I had heard that Logan may not be able to host a game this coming Friday, but that has not been confirmed. Logan Chieftain Stadium hosted the playoff game between these two teams back in 2011.

So, if Logan does end up being off the table, I would have to think Lancaster makes the most sense geographically. Other options could be Chillicothe or Hamilton Township, but each of those sites would favor one team more than the other. Will be interesting to see where the game ends up being played.

[Poo Bear]

I had heard that Logan may not be able to host a game this coming Friday, but that has not been confirmed. Logan Chieftain Stadium hosted the playoff game between these two teams back in 2011.

So, if Logan does end up being off the table, I would have to think Lancaster makes the most sense geographically. Other options could be Chillicothe or Hamilton Township, but each of those sites would favor one team more than the other. Will be interesting to see where the game ends up being played.

Lancaster would be cool.

[Raider6309]

This will be a slug fest

[formerfcfan]

Lancaster for me personally would be rad. I got to watch nine varsity games there this year and am looking forward to hopefully seeing one more there this year; particularly one where I have no rooting interest toward a given school.

It’s a good venue. It kills me that they redid the facility at Fulton Field and left the track there, though! But it’s all in all pretty neat.

[art_vandelay]

May have to make the trip for this one. Question for the Jackson folk: where this team rank on all-time Jackson squads?*

[doubleplay643]

A little trivia. I believe a former Jackson Ironman has a son playing for Alder. Mark Fenik, Jackson graduate of 1982 and a player at Miami of Ohio, is a principal or administrator in the Jonathan Alder district I believe. Mark's dad Ron was a former football coach at Jackson. I believe Mark's sister Stephanie was an OSU cheerleader (JHS graduate of 84ish??).

Listened to WOUB's recap of the Sheridan and JA game last night and there was a couple mentions of a Fenik playing, so assume it may be Mark's boy.

Great Ironmen win last night, 11-0 and they are just playing football against whoever lines up across from them, fun to watch. Good luck next week, hoping for a Chillicothe selection but expect Trace or Lancaster. Go Red!

[wobycat]

Jackson wins by two scores

[greygoose]

Just trying to speculate here. Miami Trace is 40 miles from Alder and 70 from Jackson, Flip side of that is Chilly is 37 miles from Jackson and 66 miles from Alder but from a travel stand point roads are good. Lancaster is 64 miles from Jackson but roads suck getting there and 55 miles from Alder. Simply looking at that seems like Lancaster would be a good choice in terms of splitting the difference I even looked at Hamilton Township but was a lot closer to Alder. OHSAA has never really favored the SEO in terms of picking "neutral" locations so it'll probably be at Miami Trace but Jackson has been there so it'll be a little more comfortable feeling at least.

[ironman02]

May have to make the trip for this one. Question for the Jackson folk: where this team rank on all-time Jackson squads?*

Difficult question to answer since there are so many variables, but I will say this. The 2019 squad has a chance to win a 12th game this coming week against Alder. That has NEVER been done by a Jackson team. The Ironmen have advanced to two regional finals, but one of those was when there were only four teams per region (1996), and the other was an 11-2 team (2015). A win this week for Jackson would put this team in uncharted territory, which would be really cool to see.

[greygoose]

In terms of picking this one, it's tough as I don't know much about Alder other than tradition. You can look at the schedule and see Alder including week 11 has beaten 4-8 win teams. This should be a very good game, also looking back I see Alder was just brought up from DIV. Looks like from reading up on the Alder win over Sheridan they like to air it out a bit, QB threw it 31 times. Jackson has to play mistake free and I think they can take this one by 7.

https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com ... 523638001/

[greygoose]

https://stats.digitalscout.com/ohio/sch ... s/10835816

Give you an idea of the last few games for Alder and the box scores. Looks like Proxmire the RB is one to shut down and then try and contain the pass

[Ironman92]

Just trying to speculate here. Miami Trace is 40 miles from Alder and 70 from Jackson, Flip side of that is Chilly is 37 miles from Jackson and 66 miles from Alder but from a travel stand point roads are good. Lancaster is 64 miles from Jackson but roads suck getting there and 55 miles from Alder. Simply looking at that seems like Lancaster would be a good choice in terms of splitting the difference I even looked at Hamilton Township but was a lot closer to Alder. OHSAA has never really favored the SEO in terms of picking "neutral" locations so it'll probably be at Miami Trace but Jackson has been there so it'll be a little more comfortable feeling at least.

Mileage aside it’s 55 min bus ride from JA to MT and 1 hr 5 min from Jackson to MT

Again, not sure if they put in to host. Lancaster would be next best. I’ll always take Logan and Pizza Crossing

[greygoose]

Anyone else notice region 12 where the #1,#2 and #3 seeds all lost last night?? Also looking at through all the divisions and there was 3-#8 seeds pull out the victory last night.

[Abe Froman]

Someone in this game is going to be 11-1 and someone is going to be 12-0. I think the Ironmen advance although this will be a tough one. London played Hartley tough (14-8) and Alder beat London is some last minute heroics in week 10, so JA is the real deal.

[Poo Bear]

Jackson is playing with house money IMO. They have shot to do what no Ironmen team has ever done and get 12 wins. With a team that motivated anything can happen.

[kb926712]

To my knowledge MT did put in to host Regional games and Logan put in for a few select dates, not sure if this weekend was one of them. I would guess this will be played at MT.

[FANOSPORTS]

If MT did put in that's where it should be IMO.

[VetteMan]

I would love to see the Ironmen win against JA, but without a doubt I think this will be there toughest test of the year. Hope I'm wrong though.

[FANOSPORTS]

Anyone else notice region 12 where the #1,#2 and #3 seeds all lost last night?? Also looking at through all the divisions and there was 3-#8 seeds pull out the victory last night.

Yeah but a big difference from some others the 3 in reg. 12 were beat by Alter, Trotwood and St. Mary's which all have historically great teams and a few State titles.