The Jackson Ironmen picked up a 31-20 win over Washington Court House in the opener of Frontier Athletic Conference league play, Friday.
The Blue Lions struck first when Zane Nelson intercepted sophomore quarterback Jared Icenhower's first pass attempt and took it 54 yards for a touchdown (PAT no good). Jackson answered quickly, only taking three plays and 1:27 off the clock as Icenhower hit senior wide receiver Payton Speakman on a 70-yard pass play. The Jackson PAT was good, putting the Ironmen up 7-6.
The score remained 7-6 until the 10:39 mark of the second quarter when Jackson running back Blake McCoy plunged three yards into the end zone after the Ironmen went 80 yards in 15 plays, taking 7:01 minutes off the clock in a drive that started with five minutes left in the first quarter. The PAT was good, and Jackson went up 14-6.
Just over one minute later, McCoy scampered 58 yards for a touchdown to give Jackson a 21-6 lead with 9:22 remaining in the first half. On the ensuing drive, Washington sustained a long drive going 69 yards, taking three minutes off the clock, ending with a Richie Burns 10 yard quarterback sneak. The 2-point conversion was good, as Eli Lynch found Burns open in the end zone on a reverse wide receiver pass. This cut Jackson's lead to seven points, 21-14.
Jackson ended the half with a 35-yard field goal to take a 24-14 lead into the half.
The next 13 minutes of the ball game were filled with defensive stops and costly penalties. Jackson had two touchdowns called back due to penalties. Then, with 1:25 remaining in the game, Jackson was finally able to break the scoreless streak, going 16 yards in 6 plays ending with a Blake McCoy 6-yard TD run to put the Ironmen up 31-14.
Washington was able to add one more score before time ran out on the first night of league play, and the game ended 31-20.
Washington (3-3) was led by Burns who had 15 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. He was 12-21 for 207 yards through the air and a touchdown. Eli Ruth caught four passes for 66 yards; Caleb Rice three catches for 22 yards and a score. The Blue Lions had 328 total yards, 12 first downs, 2 turnovers, and 10 penalties for 65 yards. Washington travels to Hillsboro (4-2) next Friday night. That game can be heard on WSRW 101.5Fm/1590AM and on the iHeartRadio app by searching WSRW.
Jackson was led senior Blake McCoy who rushed 23 times for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns. Payton Speakman had one catch for 70 yards and a touchdown but had another long touchdown reception called back on penalty. Jackson finished with 354 total yards, they had 10 first downs, no turnovers, but were penalized 10 times for 85 yards. Jackson (5-1) travels back to Fayette County to take on the Miami Trace Panthers on Friday. That game can be heard on Buckeye Coutry 105.5FM/iHeartRadio.