Jackson and Granville clash in a colossal Region 11 showdown
By: Dylan Westmeyer
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JACKSON, Ohio (WOUB) — It was a matchup of two powerhouse teams as the Granville Blue Aces traveled to Jackson to take on the Ironmen. Jackson would win the coin toss and defer until the second half.
Granville would take the field and attempt to set the tone for this one as they started their drive with a first down on three chunk plays. The drive would sputter out and the Ironmen would take over from their own 14 yard line after a punt from Tyler Ernsberger. Jackson’s first drive would also sputter and lead to an interception.
The Ironmen would now begin their takeover on the defensive end forcing their first turnover of the game and giving Jacob Winters and the offense a short field to work with. Cade Wolford would take advantage of the short field taking it in from 13 yards out for the first score of the game. Winters would rush it in for the two point conversion giving Jackson a 8-0 lead.
Granville would not back down as they drove down the field and Ernsberger would drop in a dime to Dante Varrasso for a 34 yard TD. The extra point would be good putting the Blue Aces down by one.
The Ironmens next drive would sputter yet again leading to another punt. Jacksons defense however would force another turnover as Granville would fumble the ball on the first play of the drive. The first quarter would end with a score of 8-7, Jackson leads.
With a shortened field the ground and pound game would take advantage as Nolan Johnson would get the edge and score the second touchdown of the game for Jackson. The two point conversion would be no good and the lead would be 14-7 Ironmen.
The game would turn into a defensive affair as the next 3 drives would end in punts. Then Jackson would chunk their way down the field with Wolford punching it in on fourth and one for his second touchdown of the game. The Ironmen would go into the half up 21-7.
The Blue Aces would try to come back as they started the second half by forcing a Winters fumble. Granville would take the short field and Ernsberger would try to fit in a pass in tight coverage and it gets tipped and picked off.
This would be the nail in the coffin as Jackson would take advantage of the turnover and Wolford would take his third touchdown run in as the Ironmen would go up 28-7.
The Ironmen would then capitalize on another Ernsberger interception and fumble. Jacksons offense would capitalize on both of these mistakes and would take a 41-7 lead. With 34 points off turnovers the Ironmen would roll into regional semi-finals as they stomped the Blue Aces 41-7.