‘Next man up’ mentality carries team to state title
by Mike Sonntag, Let’s Play Football
Driven Jackson County Central earned their title and will leave their legacy with the first undefeated season in school history after defeating Staples-Motley 42-26 in the Class 2AA Championship at U.S. Bank Stadium Friday.
The players and coaches from Jackson County Central all know this year’s season began last year in in a semi-final loss to Barnesville. Leading 15-6 at halftime in that game, the Huskies lost their starting quarterback Roman Voss, who this season is ranked the #1 junior recruit in the state, and eventually the football game.
“We consider ourselves one big player, not a group of 11 players” senior guard/linebacker Ian Titterington said.
It was that “next man up” mentality that carried the team through their off-season workouts and into the season. Turns out they needed that mantra as again late in the season they lost Voss as well as junior wide receiver/defensive back Ben Gallagher.
Clay Malchow had three TDs for Jackson County Central as they defeated Staples-Motley for the Class AA title.“The road these kids traveled was filled with adversity, and these kids did not blink.” Coach Tom Schuller said. “Maybe the most impressive thing I have experienced as a coach was watching how senior Grant Freking stepped into the role of QB in a few weeks and picked up what he did to run our offense.”
Malchow summed up his team’s feelings after finally breaking through after two straight semi-final losses. “Major Relief!”
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