Third times a charm for Jackson, avenge 2021 losses to Western Brown
By: Dylan Westmeyer
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JACKSON, Ohio (WOUB) – Gridiron Glory’s Game of the Week was nothing short of an absolute thriller. After Western Brown went 2-0 against Jackson last year, including a playoff win in the regional final, the two teams met once again to give us yet another instant classic. Despite Western Brown’s Matt Frye’s three receiving touchdowns and Zackery Chrisman’s two rushing touchdowns, Jackson got revenge on the Broncos in its 41-35 win on Friday night.
A much-needed victory for the Jackson Ironmen started with early points, as quarterback Jacob Winters punched in a one-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter, making the score 7-0.
Winters, who plays both sides of the ball, took a 31-yard pick to the house on Western Brown’s next drive, putting Jackson up 14-0 early.
Western Brown immediately responded with a scoring drive of their own, which was capped off by the first of three Drew Novak to Matt Frye touchdowns in this game, making the score 14-7.
Jackson opened up the second quarter scoring with a Nolan Johnson rushing touchdown, putting the score up to an intimidating 21-7.
Quarterback Drew Novak immediately trotted his offense out and scored a touchdown 69 yards through the air, which was caught by Matt Frye for his second receiving touchdown of the game. The Broncos cut the lead down to just 7, making the score 21-14.
With less than two minutes to go before halftime, Western Brown tied the game on a 53-yard bomb from Drew Novak to Matt Frye once again, making this the duo’s third touchdown of the game. Western Brown took this one tied into the half at 21-21.
Western Brown’s success would not continue on the opening drive of the second half, though, as Drew Novak fumbled on a sack and gave the ball to Jackson, setting up the Ironmen in excellent field position.
Jackson would capitalize on the turnover, as the Ironmen took the lead back on a 16-yard Cade Wolford rushing touchdown. With the lead back, the Ironmen led 28-21.
Late in the third quarter, the Broncos took a new approach to score on this drive, this time putting the ball on the ground. A Western Brown offense known for passing and lining up in shotgun often changed it up a little bit this drive with a Zackery Chrisman four-yard rushing touchdown, tying the score once again, this time at 28-28.
Cade Wolford continued his big third quarter with a 49-yard rushing touchdown late in the third, as the Ironmen took a 35-28 lead right before the end of the third quarter.
Western Brown went back to running the ball to start the fourth quarter, and it worked once again. Zackery Chrisman notched his second touchdown of the game, tying the game at 35-35.
Jackson’s next drive would end with the go-ahead touchdown, this one being a 16-yard passing touchdown. The extra point was missed, though, as the now 41-35 Jackson lead seemingly left the door open for Western Brown.
Western Brown would turn the ball over on downs in Jackson territory, though, as Jackson got its revenge on the Broncos for both losses last year.
After back-to-back heartbreaking losses, Jackson rebounded well against a very good team to get back to .500 on the season. The Ironmen will try to get back over the .500-mark next Friday at Wheelersburg.
As for the Broncos, they’ll follow up their first loss of the season by heading to Miami Trace for their last game before they go back to Greater Cincinnati for conference play.