Sports
Jackson Ironmen Preview
< < Back toThe Jackson Ironmen stormed through the SEOAL in the 2010-2011 football season. They swept the conference at 6-0. After an opening loss against Wellston, they rattled off nine consecutive wins. They participated in the Game of the Year, a triple overtime thriller against Ironton. They boasted a Player of the Year candidate in “King” Klay Arthur.The 2011-2012 Ironmen will have a completely different look. “We played 19 seniors last year. All of them played, all of them contributed. The whole class will be sorely missed,” said Coach Andy Hall. Coach Hall couldn't overstate it. They lost a seemingly insurmountable amount of talent.
On the offensive end alone they graduated QB Kip Winchester, HB Klay Arthur, and the entire offensive line. Hall doesn't seem daunted, though, putting faith on the other side of the ball. “We're really going to have to rely on our defense early on until we find our identity on offense.” They can look for identity in Drew Urban, a 1000 yard rusher last year behind Arthur. “He's worked hard in the offseason to get his body ready to carry the load for us this year.”
Ironmen fans are going to be looking at a new man behind center as well, and it looks as though transfer Austin Osborne from Wellston is a lead candidate for the job. He played out wide last year, but Hall is looking to incorporate his athleticism in conjunction with Urban to create a dangerous combo.Regardless of the changes from year to year, Coach Andy Hall is never lacking in confidence. “We’re very excited about the season. We’re coming. We feel like our program is headed in the right direction and the kids are bought into what we’re doing.”