Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LOGAN — As Jackson was preparing to leave and go home for the night, Waka Flocka Flame’s “Grove St. Party” was blaring in the locker room.
The Ironmen were partying like it was 2000.
With a 3-1 victory over Fairfield Union in a Division III district semifinal on Tuesday, the Ironmen (16-2-1) set a new single-season win record with 15, topping the previous mark that was set 25 years ago.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
“We knew this was a big game, and it’s been a long time since Jackson has played in a district final so we wanted this one really bad,” Jackson’s Ryan LeFever said. “It’s the two seed against the three seed, so we understood it was going to be a dogfight but we got the win and broke the record, the two things we wanted to accomplish.”
Fairfield Union (13-3-3) logged the first shot of the night, but it hit off the top of the goal post before Jackson cleared it less than 10 minutes into the action.
That put the Ironmen on high alert, and they had a quick counter.
After a free kick, the ball bounced a few times before Fernando Rubio got a foot on it and connected with net for a 1-0 lead at the 27:28 mark.
“Getting that first goal was so huge, and it really just set the tone for the game,” LeFever said. “It gave us a lot of energy to get another goal and keep the momentum going in our favor.”
Less than two minutes later, the Ironmen were back at it again.
Bailey Hoyt had a throw-in that found Landon Profitt, and the senior midfielder got a foot on it to find the back of the net and extend the lead to 2-0, a score that remained at halftime.
PHOTOS: Images from Jackson’s district semifinal win over Fairfield Union
“To be honest, I don’t remember much about the whole play other than the ball somehow just found me,” Profitt said. “I knew I had to get my foot on it somehow and let whatever happen, happen. Luckily it went in.”
Jackson maintained full control early in the second half with no signs of slowing down.
All that meant was Fairfield Union had to turn up the pressure, and for a five-minute stretch, it did just that before finally connecting.
Ben Spillers pushed one into the top left corner to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 20 minutes left.
However, that momentum was short-lived.
Just six minutes later, Jackson put the final nail in the Falcons’ coffin when LeFever was on the receiving end of a cross from Grady Massie, who struck to put the victory on ice.
“It was so important for us to get that goal after they scored,” LeFever said. “We worked the ball up the field and Grady played it back into the middle. Jax [Carroll] gave it a little tap back and it was a pretty easy finish from that point.”
Jackson returns to action at 5 p.m., Saturday in a Division III district final at Logan. The Ironmen will meet with Gallia Academy, who defeated Warren to move on.
The Blue Devils handed the Ironmen one of their two losses this season on Sept. 18 in a 2-1 comeback win.
But Jackson is as motivated as its ever been, not just by revenge, but by the chance to make more school history.
“We had three goals this season. Win the FAC, break the record for wins in a season and win a district title,” LeFever said. “It’s been 20 years since Jackson won its only other district title, so we have to come ready to play the way we have lately. It’s going to be a big one and it’ll be a big moment for the school come Saturday.”
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