Jackson falls short of Regional Finals with loss to Bishop Watterson
By: Vernon Eguakun
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Chillicothe Ohio, (WOUB) – The Bishop Watterson Eagles defeated the Jackson Ironman 24-22 in the regional semi finals of region three.
The Ironman came out the gates swinging, running the ball hard and effectively on their opening drive with Cade Wolford. The Ironman capped off this drive with a touchdown run with Cade Wolford who then ran in on a two point conversion attempt making the score 8-0.
The Eagles leaned on the ground game on their opening drive as Zack Weber ran through the Ironman defense to set up a goal to go situation. Quarterback AJ McAnitch sneaked in the endzone on a yard carry. The Eagles kicked the extra point rather than attempting a two point conversion to tie the score making the score 8-7.
Bishop Watterson started the second quarter using a combination of the run and pass game putting them in a position to score. AJ McAnitch completed his pass to his receiver Brandon Trout for a touchdown. The extra point was good making the score 14-8. Jackson’s offense went three and out and back to back drives. On a fourth and two with 35 seconds left after putting together a good drive that looked promising, AJ McAnitch’s pass was incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.
Right out the gate to start the third quarter the Eagles scored a touchdown as Ryan Rudzinski took a kick return all the way into the endzone making the score 21-8. The Ironman on their next drive used the ground game well but then Quarterback Jacob Winters fumbled the ball on fourth and one, turning the ball over.
At their own one yard line were the Eagles when the snap went over AJ McAnitch’s head and was recovered in the end zone by the Ironman. They would convert the two point conversion making the score 21-16.
The Eagles started the fourth quarter with the ground game again with Zack Weber getting them deep in the red zone. A costly holding call and a sack forced the Eagles to kick a field making the score 24-16. With just two minutes left the Ironman were able to put together a drive putting them deep in the red zone. Cade Wolford found the end zone on his carry with 35 seconds left.
Jacobs Winters pass on the two point conversion was incomplete making the score 24-22.
The Ironman’s onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, ending the game.
The Jackson Ironman end their season 10-3.
Ironman coach Road Hog talked about the fight his team had and the two point play.
“I’m so proud of our seniors. We were able to get that stop on 3rd down and make them kick a field goal if they score a touchdown game over Hog said. Our offense came right down and scored had the two point play we already planned on doing that in the fourth quarter I told our Quarterback Jacob Winters this is the play were gonna run and had it we just couldn’t make a play but I was so proud of our kids and the way they played”
Hog also said how the Ironman will look to bounce back next season despite losing at key seniors.
“It’s gonna be tough. We started nine seniors on both sides of the ball and this was a senior led team and so underclassmen got a good look of what leadership is all about. They’re gonna have a tall task in the off season but they’re gonna be expected to do great things Hog said. “Our schedules not gonna get easier we picked up Hamilton Ross a division two school next year as one of our non league games so it’s definitely gonna be a lot tougher but the expectations are high this program expects to win every single week and compete at the highest level and this senior class pushed that to the next level”
Bishop Watterson (12-1) will play Bloom-Carroll in the regional final next week.