Jackson Stays Perfect After Dominant Performance Against Wheelersburg
By: Jack Demmler
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JACKSON, Ohio- The battle for the Apple Bowl Trophy was set for action as Wheelersburg traveled to Jackson. The Jackson Ironmen were locked in as they looked to keep their undefeated season. Last year the Wheelersburg Pirates had defeated the Ironmen very handedly, 33-14.
With the help of a strong run game and an iron-curtain defense, the Jackson Ironmen defeated the Pirates 35-15. This was Jackson’s first win over Wheelersburg since 2014. The Ironmen move to 5-0 on the season, their best start since 2014.
The highly anticipated game started with Jackson kicking off to Wheelersburg. The Pirates fumbled the ball on the opening kickoff and the Ironmen would fall on top of it at the Pirates 28-yard line.
Jackson’s opening drive consisted of six run plays and took two and a half minutes. The six play, 28-yard drive was capped off with a three-yard rushing touchdown by Brice Graham with nine minutes 20 seconds left in the first quarter.
The quick start for the Pirates foreshadowed their control of the game as they would endlessly pound the ball through the Pirates defense. The Ironmen would end with 310 total yards with 293 coming from the ground game and multiple rushing touchdowns including two in the first half from Graham and Jared Icenhower.
The Ironmen defense was true to their name, only allowing 90 yards in the first half and not giving up a touchdown until the fourth quarter. The defense ended the night giving up 285 total yards along with two pick sixes.
Wheelersburg’s punter, Broxton Sammons, was a huge asset in getting the Pirates on the board. After being forced to punt from the 47, Jackson would get the ball inside the one-yard line. The Pirates got on the scoreboard after the Ironmen were flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone. The penalty ultimately caused a safety.
The iron-curtain defense would not be distraught though, as they would stay locked and loaded, forcing two three and outs and giving the Ironmen a 14-2 halftime lead.
Jackson came out of the locker-room with more fire than the first half. After a beautiful kickoff return to their own 46 yard line, the Ironmen went to reliable plays that Wheelersburg couldn’t stop. The Ironmen opened the second half with a one play, 54-yard run by freshman Jacob Winters. The drive took 20 seconds and extended the lead 21-2 with over 11 minutes in the third quarter.
The Ironmen continued to control the game, only allowing two touchdowns while scoring three total touchdowns themselves in the second half.
The 5-0 Ironmen look to keep their win streak alive as they start conference play next week against McClain. Wheelersburg drops to 2-3 and will hit the road to play the Minford Falcons next week.