ironman02 wrote:ironmen1987,
I do understand that Wellston was without Prater in the opener last season, and that was a huge loss for them, but they really only put together one sustained drive. Season openers tend to be sloppy, even without turnovers, so that 21-7 win was probably a little ugly, but it's a win nonetheless. Neither team was sharp, but Jackson was good enough defensively to control the game.
There have been a few occasions during the streak that Wellston certainly could have won, but they did turn the ball over or made a crucial mistake late in the game. However, more often than not, Jackson has won in convincing fashion. Here are the scores...
1990 - Jackson 33, Wellston 14
1991 - No Game
1992 - Jackson 26, Wellston 12
1993 - Jackson 26, Wellston 0
1994 - Jackson 31, Wellston 12
1995 - Jackson 56, Wellston 0
1996 - Jackson 50, Wellston 0
1997 - Jackson 49, Wellston 15
1998 - Jackson 28, Wellston 0
1999 - Jackson 20, Wellston 0
2000 - Jackson 29, Wellston 20
2001 - Jackson 44, Wellston 33
2002 - Jackson 28, Wellston 26
2003 - Jackson 27, Wellston 21
2004 - Jackson 55, Wellston 0
2005 - Jackson 14, Wellston 0
2006 - Jackson 28, Wellston 7
2007 - Jackson 56, Wellston 6
2008 - Jackson 41, Wellston 14
2009 - Jackson 21, Wellston 7
Looking at those scores, and thinking back to all the games, I would say that there are only three occasions out of nineteen games where Wellston REALLY had a chance to win in the 4th quarter and let it slip away. There are a few scores in there that are a little closer because of late TDs and such, but 2001, 2002, and 2003 are the years that I'm referring to.
In 2001, Wellston was led by Brad Young and Thomas Mayes. It was an offensive shootout with Young and Jackson's Swisher trading big play after big play. Wellston led 33-32 in the 2nd half, but Jackson scored the go-ahead TD to take a 38-33 lead. Wellston, who had been moving the ball well, turned it over late in the 4th on a botched QB-Center exchange, and Jackson put it away with a late TD.
The 2002 game featured a Jackson team that went 4-6 against an 8-2 Wellston team, but Jackson still got the win at C.H. Jones Field. Wellston had a two-point conversion try to tie the game, but couldn't convert. They got the ball back, but turned it over on downs inside their own 5 late in the game and Jackson took a knee. Mayes, Rex Herrold, and company played well, but they couldn't beat the Ironmen.
2003 is the REALLY close call. What would be a very good Jackson team led by Jared Humphreys didn't play very well that night, and Lance Phillips almost won the game single-handedly in one of the best individual defensive performances I have ever seen at the high school level. Wellston took a 21-19 lead late in the game and forced Jackson into a 4th and inches situation near midfield. A Humphreys sneak got the first down on what was believed by many to be a controversial spot. Humphreys ended up punching one in, and with the two-point conversion, Jackson held on to win 27-21.
Yes, Wellston has had a handful of opportunities to end the streak, especially in 2003, but you also have to give credit to Jackson for making plays down the stretch in some of those games. Wellston may have had turnovers or mistakes in key situations, but Jackson didn't, and they made the plays when the game was on the line. That's what matters most, and that's why Jackson hasn't lost this game since 1989.
I have no idea what will happen this season simply because there is a lot of work to be done between now and late August. Both teams certainly are returning some great players, and it sounds like Hutchinson really has the kids buying into the program at Wellston. We'll see what happens when the time comes.
"A Humphreys sneak got the first down on what was believed by many to be a controversial spot. Humphreys ended up punching one in, and with the two-point conversion, Jackson held on to win 27-21."
Only thing i can remember of this night was one of jacksons finest refs moving the ball forward after welllstons d swamped Humphreys 2 yards short of a 1st down!!!
