At Robert Fife Stadium, as the clock strikes 6:30 p.m., in the distance you begin to hear under the bleachers organized footsteps of “The Best Darn Band In The Land”. And you know what that means: JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL, FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!!
It was a cool and breezy evening, perfect football weather, as the Jackson Polar Bears hosted the Green Bulldogs. The visiting Bulldogs Student Section filled their section with “American Night”. Beautiful colors of red, white, and blue along with sparkle, glitter, and white lights. You could see Jackson’s students glowing from one end of the field to the next as they were all dressed in neon colors.
HERE COMES THE BEARS! Jackson’s #92 So. Cooper Mizeur kicked off the game as #1 Antonio Martin from Green was back to receive. The Bulldog’s quarterback, #11 Samino Manson, with a solid throwing arm, quickly moves his offense down the field for the first score of the ballgame. Green- 7 Jackson – 0. Jackson’s Mizeur punts the football, and it is spotted at the 50-yard line. With 7:09 remaining, in the first quarter, Jackson’s lighting quick #37 Jr. Foster Stanley RB/OLB intercepts the ball. As Jackson works their way down the field it’s 4th and 7. The throw by #3 So. Quarterback Lucas Ecrement is incomplete. Jackson brings their kicking team onto the field. The kick is good! Green – 7 Jackson – 3. Jackson’s next score was with a huge 54-yard interception return for a touchdown by WR/DB #2 Anthony Fuline.
END OF QUARTER ONE: JHS- 10 GHS – 7.
Jackson’s defense, in the second quarter, continued to show total team domination. Jr. #31, Jordan Warmath/ILB wrapped up and took down Green’s #1 Martin. Martin again receives the ball and is first met by Sr. #4, Kyle Andrews – WR/DB. Next, Green’s QB sacked by Jr. #49, Mitchell Braucher/ILB. Sr. #9, Zack Ferguson/DL, put great pressure on Green’s QB. Manson throws the ball away – out of the pocket. Jackson gets the ball back. WR/DB Sr. #21, Kyle Benson, was back to receive the kick. The kick ended up out of bounds.
Jackson’s offensive team is just as impressive as their defense. The 6’0”/160 lbs Sophomore QB, Lucas Ecrement, over the past several weeks, has earned the respect of his teammates and fans as he leads The Bears offense. You can see his confidence grow each week as he continues to make great plays, at any time. The power and accuracy in his throws come from great footwork. It is exciting to see him get better as each week passes. Ecrement is also not afraid to keep the ball, run down the field, and get blasted from the opposing team.
Photo by Brooke H.
Many times, if you ask most football players, especially quarterbacks, they will tell you that centers are vitally important to their team. Jr. #51 Teigen Essig/OL is that vital player for Jackson. A few of Essig’s strongest attributes are his intelligence and analytical ability, both traits greatly enhance his football performance. I had the chance to ask Essig, If he could play any other position what would it be? He shared, “If I wasn’t my current size, I would strive to be a linebacker. I always believed that they are the most important parts of a defense because they are the leaders of the field at the time.” He also shared that his favorite football player is Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth played on the offensive line for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Photo by Brooke H.
In the second quarter as Essig hiked the ball to his QB Ecrement, Ecrement gave a smooth hand off to Jr. #11 Jamahl Phillips/WR for a gain of yards. The Jackson fans go wild! Jr. #7, Noah Colando/WR receives a screen pass as the bears continue to march down the field. QB Ecrement next keeps the ball for first down. Green gets the ball back and is unable to score. As the second quarter comes to an end, with 34 seconds left on the clock, Jackson kicks a field goal.
END IF QUARTER TWO: JHS – 13 GHS -7.
In the third quarter, Jackson’s Sr. #4 Kyle Andrews WB/DB tackled Green’s #9 for a loss. That was followed up by Jr. #15 Cooper Geissinger showing Green what Jackson Football is all about. You could hear the Green students become much louder and more vocal. Jackson’s defense continued to put pressure on Green’s defense. Booing and then chanting, “That ain’t funny!” in response to the 10-yard penalty called on Green. With fifty-four seconds left in the third, Jackson’s Geissinger makes a huge interception.
END OF QUARTER THREE: JHS – 13 GHS – 7
Excitement began to increase as Jr. #7 Noah Colando/WR charges down the field, spins to his left and gets away from the first attempted tackle to gain extra yards. The next two possessions, with the help of #18 Kristian Satterfield, Jackson scores their next touchdown with a successful PAT – The Polar Bears now lead the Bulldogs 20 to 13. Green took a time out and took the field with determination. Green’s QB, #11, did not give up and was doing a sturdy job of getting his team to score again. The Jackson fans began to rise to their feet. The cheering from the fans was thunderous. You could hear the stomping on the bleachers as several players on the team motioned to the crowd to continue and keep getting louder. As the minutes clicked down, Jr. #1 Nolan Foster/DL sacks Green’s QB. The crowd roared even louder. As the end of the game neared, FUMBLE! Jackson’s ball…Game over.
FINAL: JHS -20 GHS – 13
Many of these athletes have been playing sports since they were little. Essig shared that he has been playing football since he was eight years old. He also told me, “The biggest positive of being a football player is the ability to let loose. When you’re on the field, everything goes, and you have the ability to run wild and do anything you need to score points. That is the best part hands down.” He also talked about being a student athlete. “Being a student athlete has not only taught me time management, but my coaches have instilled the idea of character in every single player. Character has given me the control in my life and shaped me into the person I am today.”
Photo by Brooke H.
Jackson High School Football: They are – 86 STRONG. Together as a family they can create great things. You are able to see the passion and pride these Jackson teammates and coaches have for each other. “The team buying into what the coaches have been telling us since January 4th and the brotherhood that the team has formed between each other. We all understand our parts on the field and have more respect for each other’s position.” Essig said it is the biggest attribute to the team’s success this football season so far. No matter the circumstances you will always see players uplifting and cheering on one another. Essig also talks about the team leadership this season. “Every person has gotten better because of the senior leadership. Each leader pushes everyone to be their best every single day. I give all the credit to our success this year to the leadership.” #WeNotMe…. These young men and coaches live by this motto. Congratulations, 86 Strong! Go Bears!
*In the beginning of the third quarter, the stadium was brought to a silence. I would ask if you would please keep Bulldog Senior #31 Clayton Breon, his family, and the entire Green football team in your thoughts. Clay broke his right tibia and fibula when his leg collided with the kick returner during the tackle. As an athlete, you play because you love the sport.
We, as athletes, play sports for ourselves, simply because we absolutely love the game, and because we want to make our community proud. #31, I know your Green community is extremely proud of you! And so is your neighboring community, the Polar Bears. Clay, you are and will continue to be in all of our prayers. We hope you have a full and speedy recovery!
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