MILL CREEK — Jack Doney has spent three years in the Jackson football program working his way to this point.
The 6-foot-6 senior, who served as the backup for Alex Cheesman last season, will take over behind center for the Timberwolves this year as Jackson looks to improve after a 2-8 campaign in 2014.
“Jack Doney has done everything he can do to win that job and it looks like it’s his,” said Jackson head coach Joel Vincent. “He’s 6-6 and he can throw it and throw it well. … He’s worked very hard in the weight room, goes to the (Taylor) Barton school for quarterbacks, goes to all these camps. It’s really been neat to see his progression as a player because he’s come a long way.”
Doney, who missed most of his sophomore year because of injury, is ready for the opportunity to lead the Jackson offense.
“I’m really excited,” Doney said. “I’m grateful for the guys surrounding me. I kind of see it as my turn, sort of. I’m really excited to see what we do this year.”
Despite the new quarterback, Jackson doesn’t plan on changing its approach on offense.
The Timberwolves will continue to air the ball out.
“That’s what we do here,” Vincent said with a laugh. “You’ll see some new wrinkles but our base stuff is our base stuff.”
Doney is one of a key group of seniors that are hoping to return the Jackson program to prominence. The Timberwolves won a league title in 2012 but are coming off a season that saw them go 0-7 in Wesco 4A.
“I think we’re just trying to get this program back to where it was four or five years ago,” said senior lineman Ryan Fee, a four-year starter for Jackson. “We let it go down a little bit but now we’ve got to get it back to how it was. … People are really excited and have a lot of energy. We want to get this program back to where it needs to be and where it has been in the past. That’s why I think everyone’s really excited to be out here.”
“This year there’s a significant change in the attitude of the players around here,” Doney said. “Even in summer weight room (workouts) numbers were through the roof. The coaching staff is bringing a different attitude to the table that I think the players like. Compared to last season, there’s been an energy boost. Practices are more lively and interactive. I think that’s a clue as to how the season is going to go.”
Vincent said the biggest thing key to Jackson’s success this season is health. Last year, the Timberwolves suffered more than their fair share of season-ending injuries.
“First and foremost, we’ve got to stay healthy. We went through a rash of injuries last year like I’ve never seen,” Vincent said. “And they weren’t just the ones kids get and were nagging but you could play. These were knees and broken collarbones and backs. We lost players and we lost them for the year.”
One of those players, running back Andrew Cho, suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament after a promising start to the season.
Cho is back, says he’s “100 percent” and eager to get back on the field.
“Standing on the sideline and watching your teammates out there, knowing you could be doing something to help us win or do better, it sucks just lingering on the sideline,” Cho said. “You feel invisible. The coaching staff is looking for players to throw in and, unfortunately, I couldn’t be one of those players. I’m hoping for a healthy senior season.
“I just want to see how far we can take our team.”
As opposed to previous seasons when Jackson teams would call out “state” or “league champs” when making goals, this year’s squad is taking a week-by-week approach to the 2015 season.
“Not look as far forward saying, ‘State,’ or anything. We’re just going to take it one week at a time,” Fee said. “Really focus on the week ahead and not look too far forward or you’ll lose now. … When I was a young guy I’d always look up at the seniors and hope I could be as good as they were when I get to that age. Now, I just hope I can find those young guys and try to help them out and get them better.”
Cho, too, hopes to have a fun season and spend some quality time with his fellow Timberwolves.
“To make memories as a team,” Cho said. “To make big plays. Even if we don’t win, just make a lot of memorable plays with your teammates. Especially, the seniors now that it’s their last year and we won’t have another go at it. It’s only our first week of practice but in terms of looking ahead I think we’re headed in the right direction. I think we’re looking up.”
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