By Chris Beatty
Herald Writer
EVERETT — As if a last-minute field goal weren’t dramatic enough, Jackson turned Thursday’s football game against Shorewood into a nail-biting 27-23 triumph.
After Shorewood kicked a go-ahead field goal with 26 seconds remaining in the game, Jackson quarterback Jason Morris hit Craig Chambers for a 72-yard touchdown to give the Timberwolves their second victory in the Western Conference South Division. Shorewood is 1-1.
"This team overcame some big letdowns on special teams and never gave up," said Jackson coach Joel Vincent, whose team is alone in first place at 2-0 until tonight’s games are decided. "This was by far the best comeback in this school’s history."
Both teams paid tribute to the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks with a moment of silence prior to the game and Jackson did not practice on Tuesday.
"The events in New York and Washington weighed heavily in the kids’ minds," Vincent said. "But I told them that we had to follow what the President and the mayor of New York asked and just go out and do what we do."
With less than three minutes remaining in the game and the score tied 20-20, Shorewood drove the ball 45 yards to the Jackson 9-yard line.
Shorewood’s Kyle Massy then kicked a 26-yard field goal with just 26 seconds left to give the Thunderbirds a 23-20 edge.
The Timberwolves’ C.J. Marsh returned the ensuing kickoff to the Jackson 28 with 21 seconds to go.
That left just enough time for Morris and Chambers’ miracle.
Following an incompletion, Chambers caught Morris’ pass at the Shorewood 40 over the top of two defenders and sprinted down the sideline to give Jackson the lead.
"I have every confidence that he’ll catch what I throw, and he knows I’ll get the ball to him," said Morris, who happens to be the best friend of the 6-foot-5 Chambers.
Chambers finished with 185 yards receiving on seven catches, while Morris threw for 211 yards on 11-for-14 passing.
"Everybody’s disrespecting us, saying we weren’t ready to move up to 4A," Chambers said. "But we like earning respect, and now we’re in first place."
Leading Shorewood’s running game was Seth Setterberg, who led all rushers with 135 yards on 21 carries.
| Shorewood |
7 |
0 |
6 |
10 |
— |
23 |
| Jackson |
0 |
6 |
14 |
7 |
— |
27 |
Shorewood—Washington 2 run (Massy kick)
Jackson—Morris 2 run (pass failed)
Jackson—Chambers 24 pass from Morris (pass failed)
Shorewood—Washington 28 run (pass failed)
Jackson—Marsh 18 run (Chambers pass from Morris)
Shorewood—Setterberg 33 run (Massy kick)
Shorewood FG Massy 26
Jackson—Chambers 72 pass from Morris (Musseau kick)
Records—Jackson 2-0 in league and overall. Shorewood 1-1.
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