By STEVE WILAJ

sports@vindy.com

NORTH JACKSON

The loss came way back in Week 1 of 2013.

But when Jackson-Milton fell to Southington, 21-19, in last year’s opener, it ended up costing the Bluejays in the long run. Although Jackson-Milton recovered for its first winning season (6-4) since 1997, Mark Assion’s squad narrowly missed the playoffs — and the players realize why.

“[Southington] screwed us over with the playoffs, so we’re pretty mad at them,” Blue Jays running back Joey Burnside said. “That’s all we thought about during the offseason is how we want to beat them in the first game.”

Opening the 2014 season in Southington seeking some revenge, Jackson-Milton is also looking to build off its first winning campaign in 16 years. Assion, now in his eighth year, thinks his team is ready to take the next step.

“We now know what it takes to win and we’re putting forth the effort,” he said. “We’re excited about what’s happening here in Jackson-Milton.”

Offense

Junior Mike Assion replaces Jeremy Fitzpatrick at quarterback while Burnside, a senior, takes over for Tyler Shaffer as the main tailback. A receiving corps of Alex Thornburg, Nate Cramer and Nick Goodlin will try to spell the loss of top 2013 wideout Thomas Gatewood.

“He’s a little more elusive than Jeremy was,” Assion said of his son, Mike. “He likes to run the ball a little bit. That should diversify our spread game some, but we’ll still throw.”

Jackson-Milton returns four of five linemen from a year ago — seniors Brandon Eddinger and Colten Nitzsky at guard, Tyler Phillips at center and 5-foot-5, 145-pound Stephen Yuhasz at tackle.

“We have a smaller line, but they’re furious and play with a lot of heart,” Burnside said.

Defense

After losing last year’s entire defensive line to graduation, Tommy Deak and Zach Socha are expected to anchor the new group. They’ll be helped by veteran linebackers Cameron Morgan, Assion and Anthony Italiano.

“Anything we want to obtain, I think we can,” Italiano said. “We just have to work hard to get there.

“Losing our down linemen is a key loss, but they’ve been looking to us returning linebackers for stunts and all that. And the new guys are picking up.”

Goodlin and Thornbury return to the secondary, as does Adam Smith, who led the Bluejays in interceptions a year ago.

Special Teams

Italiano will punt while Smith will kick, although Assion admits the kicking duties may change.

Outlook

Barring injury, Assion likes the Bluejays’ chances of competing for the Inter Tri-County League’s Tier One title.

“It’s going to be about how we execute,” he said. “So we’re hoping to stay healthy — and if we can execute our schemes and trust each other — good things will happen.”

After the Southington matchup, Jackson-Milton hosts Newton Falls and Windham. They should help first-year quarterback Mike Assion get acclimated.

“It’s going to be about communicating on defense, working hard on offense and just producing,” Italiano said. “Something I talk a lot about to the guys is going 100 percent on every down and we’re going to do that.”