Given the Jackson football team’s winning tradition, last season’s 2-8 record was especially frustrating for coaches, players and fans. The Timberwolves scored a lot of points, but they gave up more as they failed to win a single Wesco 4A game.
Through three games this season, it’s clear this is a different Jackson team. After losing their season opener to Edmonds-Woodway, the Timberwolves have won two straight. They come into tonight’s game against No. 8-ranked Monroe looking improve to 2-0 in conference and hand the undefeated Bearcats their first loss of the season.
It’s a task that might be easier said than done. Monroe (3-0) has scored at least 40 points in every game this season, and is coming off a 55-0 thrashing of Snohomish last Friday.
“They’re absolutely rolling, there is no doubt about it,” Jackson head coach Joel Vincent said of the Bearcats. “I think they’re pretty impressive on the film we’ve got. They do a lot of good things and they’ve got a lot of kids that can play. This is a real test for us to kind of see where we’re really at.”
Led by junior quarterback Zach Zimmerman and junior running back JJ Jerome, the Bearcats’ offense has been prolific both through the air and on the ground.
“They’re balanced and that is a huge obstacle,” Vincent said. “It’s really nice as a coach when you go into a game and a team is run dominant or pass dominant and you can kind of zero in and focus on that and take something away that they do well. We don’t have that luxury this week. They’re really balanced. We’ve just got to be fundamentally sound in our schemes and have people in the right places.”
Jackson has beaten Marysville Getchell and Cascade and, in Vincent’s mind, is just a few defensive lapses away from a perfect record.
“Week 1, I really thought we left the game out there,” Vincent said of a 21-13 loss to Edmonds-Woodway. “That was a game I really thought we should have won. I really thought we let one get away from us there.”
Defense doesn’t appear to be the weakness it was a year ago. After three games last season, the Timberwolves had allowed 97 points. This season, the Timberwolves have surrendered just 46.
Jackson was overmatched at times last season, but Vincent said there was one underlying cause for the Timberwolves’ dismal season – injuries.
“We had injuries like I’ve never seen before,” he said. “They weren’t nagging ankle sprains where it’s a week here and then you can play. It was ACLs and it was broken collarbones. It’s the worst stretch of injuries I’ve ever seen in my coaching career.”
The injuries turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Many of the young players who were forced into action last year are the same players who are helping Jackson win now.
“It was tough to go through and weather it when it was happening, but I think we’re seeing some of the benefits now,” Vincent said.
And the future appears to be bright for the Timberwolves. Fewer than 10 seniors will dress for Friday’s game against Monroe, Vincent said, meaning his team has a lot of young talent.
That young talent will find out what it’s made of with its toughest challenge of the season so far against Monroe.
“We’re really viewing this as a game for us that’s really going to be a barometer of where we’re at right now,” Vincent said. “Make no mistake about it — and I told the kids today at practice — of those three teams that we’ve played, this team is marginally better than any team we’ve played thus far. We’re going to find out what we’re really all about this Friday.”
Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on Twitter and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.
Games of the week
Monroe at Jackson
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
When 7 p.m.
Key Players: Monroe – Aiden Cain, sr., OL/DL; Dillon Fargo, sr., LB; JJ Jerome, jr., RB/OLB; Zach Zimmerman, jr., QB; Jake Morelli, sr., WR; Isaiah Cole, soph., WR/DB; Jesse Jarosky, sr., WR/DB. Jackson – Andrew Cho, sr., RB/DB; Brad Borders, jr., RB/DB; Brandon Wheeler, jr., RB/DB; Ryan Fee, sr., OL/DL; Mike Markezinis, jr., OL/DL; Markus Sullivan, jr., TE/LB; Jack Doney, sr., QB; Daniel Arias, soph., WR/DB.
Records: Monroe 1-0 league, 3-0 overall. Jackson 1-0, 2-1.
Radio: 1380 KRKO
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
What you need to know: After a tough loss in Week 1 to Edmonds-Woodway, Jackson has rebounded with two straight victories. We’ll know if the Timberwolves are for real after Friday’s game against a Monroe team that has looked unstoppable on offense this season.
Herald Pick: Monroe
Everett at Oak Harbor
Where: Oak Harbor High School
When: 7 p.m.
Key Players: Everett – Nick Blair, sr., OL/DL; Andrew McLain, sr., OL/DL; Aki Howell, sr., RB/CB; Aldo Yeo, soph., RB/LB; Nick Castro, sr., WR/LB; Brett Allred, jr., WR/LB; Murdock Rutledge, jr., QB/DB. Oak Harbor – Dyllan Harris, sr., WR/FS; Princeton Lollar, jr., RB/DL; Sam Zook, jr., OL/DL.
Records: Everett 0-0 league, 3-0 overall. Oak Harbor 0-0, 1-1.
Twitter: @krueger_david
What you need to know: The Seagulls won only one game last season, but after three weeks they have tripled that number this season, opening 3-0. Everett gets a chance to prove it is a legitimate contender Friday against the Wildcats, who were the co-favorite in the preseason coaches’ poll along with Marysville Pilchuck.
Herald Pick: Oak Harbor
Glacier Peak at Meadowdale
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 5 p.m.
Key Players: Glacier Peak – Andrew McCoy, sr., TE/LB; Justin Guffey, sr., WR/DB; Iain Black, sr., RB/LB; Dexter Carter, sr., RB/DB; Malaki Fifita, jr., OL/DL; Colton Bunt, jr., WR/DB; Devyn Rainbow, sr., QB; Ayden Ziomas, fr., QB. Meadowdale – C.J. Lewis, sr., OL/DL; Tyree Carson, sr., RB/DB; Kela Marshall, jr., RB/OLB; Nate Navlet, sr., WR/DB; Haelin Roberts, jr., WR/DB; Markus Ward jr., TE/DE; Bailey Walsh, sr., OL/DL.
Records: Glacier Peak 2-0 league, 3-0 overall. Meadowdale 1-1, 1-2.
Webcast: www.stspn.com
Twitter: @aaronlommers
What you need to know: Glacier Peak is off to its usual fast start, while Meadowdale seems to be getting better every week. The Mavericks could go a long way toward thinking playoffs if they are able to pull off the upset. A Grizzlies win moves them one step closer to a league championship, which the league’s coaches predicted prior to the season.
Herald Pick: Glacier Peak
Edmonds-Woodway at Mountlake Terrace
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Key Players: Edmonds-Woodway – Spencer Schultz, sr., ILB; Isaac Jackson, sr., QB; Ali Gaye, jr., TE/DE; Tyler Rheinford, sr., RB/OLB; Logan Lambert, sr., OL/ILB; Abdoulie Jatta, jr., RB/DB; Jalen Nash, jr., WR/DB. Mountlake Terrace – Drew Klippert, sr., OL/DL; Mikey Jenson, sr., QB/LB/K; Tanner Munnis, sr., FB/LB; Daniel Johnson, jr., WR/SS; Riley Morrin, sr., WR; Jordan Bishop, sr., RB/LB.
Records: Edmonds-Woodway 0-1 league, 1-2 overall. Mountlake Terrace 2-0, 3-0.
Webcast: www.soundlivesportsnetwork.com
Twitter: @aaronlommers
What you need to know: Mountlake Terrace seeks its first 4-0 start in school history against an Edmonds-Woodway team desperate for a win. An 0-2 start in league play for the Warriors would mean a tough road to rebound and make the postseason.
Herald Pick: Mountlake Terrace
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