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Bluejays shatter losing streak
By Steve Ruman
The Jackson-Milton High football team knows how to end a losing streak in style.
The Bluejays on Friday put a definitive end to their 14-game skid with a resounding 55-15 home win over Rootstown. The victory was the Jays’ first since Oct. 2, 2011.
Tyler Shaffer gained 164 yards and ran for four touchdowns. Jeremy Fitzpatrick passed for 277 yards and three touchdowns as the Blue Jays built a 42-0 halftime lead.
While a wild celebration would have seemed like a natural reaction, Blue Jays coach Mark Assion said his troops took a somewhat business-like approach to the victory.
“The team had an ‘unfinished business’ mentality heading into the game,” Assion said. “They felt like they didn’t finish the job in Week One, and they let one slip away.
“Following our loss last week, there was a renewed sense of dedication by every one of our players.”
Jackson-Milton’s 38-man roster is a blend of experience and youth. Along with 11 seniors, there are 13 sophomores. A number of underclassmen already have a good amount of varsity experience under their belts.
“We have a handful of sophomores who have already started 12 varsity games,” Assion said. “It was unfortunate that we had to play so many young kids last year, but the upside is that it will pay off in the future.
“We have a unique mixture of experience and inexperience, of naivety and professionalism. This is as unique a group as I’ve been around, but they all share the same dedication.”
Following the win, the players returned to the stadium on Saturday to study game film — and work on their yoga.
“I suffered an injury sledding with my children a few years back, and my chiropractor recommended I give it a try,” Assion explained. “I introduced it to our players, and they loved it.
“They have a great time with it. It helps them relax, and it helps them both physically and mentally.”
Jackson-Milton next travels to Windham, the site of its last road win in August of 2011
LYNNSANIA
It didn’t take long for Liberty’s Lynn Bowden to make an impact at the varsity level.
In Liberty’s 27-25 opening-week loss to Salem, the freshman saw action as a slot receivers. He carried the ball 12 times, rushing for 60 yards.
“It was stupidity on our part not to use him more,” Leopards coach Kevin Cylar said. “We weren’t going to make the same mistake twice.”
On Friday, Bowden earned a start at tailback, and helped lead the Leopards to a 42-33 home win over Niles. Bowden got 23 touches, gained 132 yards, caught a 26-yard pass for a touchdown and tacked on a 75-yard kickoff return.
Though he was the youngest player on the field, Bowden’s impact was a difference-maker.
“I was surprised when the coaches told me I was going to start,” Bowden said. “There are some great upperclassmen above me. I was just glad they gave me the opportunity. “I felt better as the game went on. Once I was in there awhile, I felt more comfortable.”
EXTRA POINTS
Sebring is off to a 2-0 start for the first time in 19 years. ... Lowellville is off to its first 2-0 start since 2003. That year, the Rockets went 6-4, marking the last year they’ve had a winning season. ... Of the 44 area football-playing schools, just 15 survived the first two weeks of the season without a loss. ... Teams in the lower tier of the Inter-Tri County League own a combined record of 14-2. ... Southington will host a home game Friday at its own stadium for the first time since Oct. 22, 2010. ... The area’s longest losing streak now belongs to Canfield, which has lost eight straight dating to last year. ... Crestview has extended its regular-season winning streak to 21 games. The Rebels have also won 51 of their last 55 regular-season contests.