During their summer training camp, the Jackson-Reed football team set two goals: improve dramatically from a 2-9 record in each of the last two seasons and end a 32-year DCIAA championship winning drought.
With a record of 1-5 overall and 0-2 in DCIAA, the Tigers know they haven’t met their expectations. The team has struggled to reach the end zone, with four of their five losses by 30 or more points. The lone win was against Paul Public Charter School in early September by a score of 56-0.
Last week, the Tigers lost to DCIAA foe Eastern, 31-20. The defense scored twice, off of a pick-six interception by senior safety Mnason Wilson and a fumble returned for a touchdown by senior cornerback Brody Ryan. However, the offense committed three turnovers that led to 19 first-quarter points for Eastern.
“We definitely showed we don’t quit, which is [an] improvement,” senior linebacker and captain Aidan Riley said. “In order to win we have to continue to work on the details.” Senior quarterback Henry Reid added, “we can’t have any more slow starts, that’s what’s been killing us.”
The Tigers believe one game can turn around their season. The next chance is tonight at Horace Fleming III Field against Dunbar, when the team will honor 20 players on Senior Night.
“[It’s] fighting with all guys that I’ve been with the last three years,” senior defensive and offensive tackle, captain Casey Wood said. “It’s our second to last home game of the year. It represents [us] going out and giving something back to the team. Hopefully we can get a win.”
Head coach Minoso Rodgers said that veteran leadership presence is important in a team, and he praised the current senior Tigers. “We have young leaders, and they’re learning on the job.”
“We’ve seen some resilience,” Rodgers added. In the loss to Eastern, he said, the team decided to “continue to fight. I saw the energy. [We’re developing] some growth.”
With four games left, the players agree. “We have to maintain the mindset and mentality of going 1-0 every week,” junior outside linebacker and running back Aidan Giles said. Step one, “less penalties and less mistakes,” said fellow senior quarterback Ward Dieterle.
Senior Night against the Crimson Tide (3-2, 2-0) kicks off at 6 p.m. “You always want to send your seniors out the right way. We’ve got to give what we’ve got,” coach Rodgers said.
