Miami Trace completes comeback win to stun the Jackson Ironmen at home
By: Talen Keys
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JACKSON, Ohio (WOUB) – The Miami Trace Panthers (5-1) travel to Alumni Stadium in Jackson, Ohio, to take on the Jackson Ironmen (3-3) in this FAC matchup. The Panthers would win 21-20.
The Ironmen come into this game with an undefeated streak in FAC play dating all the way back to 2020, losing to Chillicothe and Tri-Valley. Before these losses, the streak dates back to 2018, so Jackson has been a dominant force in FAC play.
Jackson started this game off hot on the opening drive with Christian Gillum intercepting Miami Trace’s quarterback Baron Phipps and taking it to the house. Jackson leads 7-0 with a good extra point.
The Panthers would strike back later in the quarter with a two-yard rushing touchdown by their star running back Julian Baker. The point-after attempt would be blocked, so Jackson would retain their lead 7-6.
Miami Trace would force the first punt of the game to start the second quarter, and the Ironmen would take over at the 38-yard line. Quarterback C.J. Crabtree would punch in a rushing touchdown with 35 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Jackson would add to their lead, 14-6.
The Ironmen would then take their time on the opening drive of the second half, marching all the way for a touchdown. This drive would burn nearly seven minutes off the clock. Jackson now leads 20-6 after the PAT was blocked.
On the very next play, Baker would take the kickoff to the house, igniting the Panthers’ comeback. The extra point is good, and Jackson’s lead is cut to 20-13.
Wide receiver Evan Parsley would catch the winning touchdown with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter. The Panthers would elect to go for two. Baker would cross the plane to take their first lead of the game. Miami Trace now leads 21-20.
The Panthers would hold off the Ironmen on fourth down to win 21-20, beating Jackson for the first time since 1977, and handing them their first FAC loss since 2020.
The Jackson Ironmen will bring in the Hillsboro Indians next week. As for the Miami Trace Panthers, they will travel to Chillicothe to face the Chillicothe Cavaliers.