Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
JACKSON — Last season, at this point, Wheelersburg was 0-3.
While most teams would’ve smashd the panic button, the Pirates have an expectation that is simply unmatched. It led to a regional final appearance after they won nine of their last 10.
Those early lessons from last fall have paid off in a massive way. Friday was the latest example.
Playing a physical, smash-mouth offensive style with a gritty defense to back it up, Wheelersburg played a turnover-free second half to earn a 17-7 victory at Jackson.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“We always know Jackson is going to be a really good team and play a physical style,” Wheelersburg’s Braylon Rucker said. “They’ve beaten us the last three years and we didn’t like what they had on the scoreboard in the beginning of the game. So we decided to do something about that.”
The win marks the first 3-0 start for Wheelersburg since 2018, which is also the last time it knocked off the Ironmen.
“We’ve had some really close battles over the last four years, and Jackson has been our Achilles’ heel,” Wheelersburg coach Rob Woodward said. “They stopped us on a two-point conversion in overtime to win, beat us on an 80-yard swing pass, and won on a QB sneak with less than 30 seconds left last season. You remember those things. Our kids remembered that feeling from last year and really wanted to get over that hump.”
Early on, though, ‘Burg couldn’t stop shooting itself in the foot.
After gaining momentum with a fourth down stop, they gave it right back by fumbling on the next play as Jackson (2-1) recovered.
Playing with a short field, and following a 23-yard pass from Bodhi Wolford to Ryan Seimetz, Gavin Sites plunged into the end zone for a one-yard score, making it 7-0 in the early goings.
PHOTOS: Images from Wheelersburg’s win over Jackson
However, Wheelersburg answered.
Using a run-heavy attack, the Pirates dialed up a perfect play call and took to the air as Rucker connected with Brady Doss for a 59-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 — a score that would remain intact at the end of the first and second quarters.
“We’d been working on that play all week in practice, and our offensive coordinator told us it was going to be a touchdown,” Wheelersburg’s Brady Doss said. “Jackson is a big run team, just like we are, so he knew their safeties were going to bite on the fake and he couldn’t have drawn up a better play.”
In the second half, Wheelersburg’s defense had an answer for anything Jackson threw at it.
The Pirates stuffed the run, closed gaps with a sense of urgency and put pressure on Wolford to force throws, keeping the Ironmen out of rhythm.
After forcing a punt, ‘Burg pieced together a drive that included a 16-yard pass on third down from Rucker to Doss. Stephen Hall then powered into the end zone from a yard out to go ahead 14-7.
With their foot firmly on the gas, the Pirates’ defense came up with another stop, forcing another Jackosn punt.
They chewed up the rest of the third quarter clock before Cooper Heimbach drilled a 36-yard field goal to open the fourth, ultimately putting the finishing touches on a Pirate victory.
“This was as mature of a game as I’ve seen our guys play in a while. It’s a learning process and these guys have been through the battles against Jackson for the last couple of years,” Woodward said. “We had so much growth towards the end of the season last year, and most of those kids are back this year, which is why we’ve gotten off to the start we have.
“Our defense played such a great game as well, especially in the second half. We gave up five first downs in the first half and only two in the whole second. That equals out to not just playing winning football, but learning from past experiences. The communication was great between our guys and it showed by how they executed on the field.”
Statistically, Rucker finished the night 7-of-12 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown, Doss had four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, and Hall added 14 carries for 54 yards and a score.
For Jackson, Sites had six carries for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Wheelersburg returns to action at home on Friday against Northwest, while Jackson aims to rebound at Western Brown.
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