Sports
Desales Hands Jackson First Loss Of Season, Ironmen Eliminated [Video]
By: Abbey Carnivale
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Though both teams had plenty of postseason experience, Jackson and St. Francis Desales had only met one other time in history.
In a battle of power of speed versus power, Desales’s speed won the matchup as the Ironmen fell 24-14.
Although Hunter Sexton was credited with the first touchdown of the matchup, the Ironmen were guided to the red zone by do-it-all back Derek Rafferty.
Rafferty picked up all four of the Ironmen’s first downs on their first drive of the game which concluded with a 7-0 Jackson lead.
Sexton scored both touchdowns for the Ironmen, totaling 100 yards on 20 carries.
The Stallions responded quickly and with force just two plays later. Jake Gilmore raced down the left sideline, creating more and more space between him and defenders as they chased all the way to the end zone, tying the game at seven.
Jackson’s response was quickly subdued when a failed lateral found its way to the turf and into the hands of the Stallion defense.
After the fumble recovery, Ryan Peaks and Justin Borghese picked up large chunks of yardage en route to a drive which culminated in a Josh Deloozier quarterback sneak, putting Desales up 14-7 with 6:33 to play in the first.
Jackson’s defense would eventually stiffen, but several turnovers on downs stifled any second-half comeback attempts, despite a second half Sexton rushing touchdown.
The loss means that Jackson will have to wait another year for a 12-win season.