Last weekend the Jacksonville High football team traveled to Marion, Illinois, for the first round of the Illinois class 5A playoffs. The Marion Wildcats were conference champions, owned a 7-2 record, and had a brand new turf stadium.
The four hour bus ride for JHS gave them every reason imaginable to not come out ready to play. The Crimsons came to play for sure. The Crimsons’ size proved the deciding factor in the game. Running backs Floyd Lomelino and Justin Herron ran all over the Wildcat defense behind JHS’s monster offensive line. Jacksonville’s Bryce Schnitker added two touchdowns through the air, one to Blake Hance and the other to Kody Wood. The Crimson defense took care of the rest.
Early in the first quarter the Wildcats attempted a fake punt, but a swarm of Crimson tacklers stuffed the attempt. In the end, the score was 37-6, Jacksonville.
With this victory, the Crimsons earned a home game in round two of the playoffs. Their opponent will be the Pioneers from Bloomington University High School, better known as U-High. The Pioneers come into the game with a unbeaten record at 10-0. They are the number three seed in the 5A south bracket.
The Crimsons are heavy underdogs in the contest, but JHS’s strength of schedule will prove its purpose this Saturday. However, the Central State Eight is one of the best 5A football conferences in the state. The rugged and tough schedule prepares the Crimsons for anybody once they reach the playoffs. With this said, don’t count the Crimsons out just yet.