By Mike White
Staff Writer
For the past few seasons, the Jackson High School football team has been infamous for producing big plays. It wasn’t unusual for the Jags to demoralize opponents with long touchdown runs or big defensive efforts during the course of a game.
Jackson got a taste of its own medicine last Friday night, as Toms River North used a couple of big second-half plays to rally for a 28-21 victory over the visiting Jags in a Shore Conference American Division game at Gernerd Field.
Trailing 15-0 early in the game, Toms River North scored 20 second-half points to improve its record to 4-0. Jackson falls to 2-2.
The Jags travel to Toms River East to play a 7 p.m. game on Friday. Toms River East, now 6-0, won over Marlboro last week.
"We gave up a number of big plays in the second half that eventually cost us the lead and the game," third-year Jackson coach Reggie Lawrence said.
"They had a couple of long runs for touchdowns and then put together a drive in the final four minutes of the game to get the win. Our kids played hard all game. It just didn’t go in our favor."
With a little less than four minutes remaining, TRN manufactured an 11-play, 57-yard drive, capped by a touchdown pass from John Rankin to Anthony Myres in the closing seconds to seal the win.
Twice Jackson’s defense forced the Mariners into a fourth-down situation during the game-winning drive. Twice Toms River North answered the call.
"They made the plays when they needed it," Lawrence said.
The 6-foot-2 Myres out-jumped a pair of Jaguars’ defenders in the corner of the end zone to haul in the winning score.
TRN’s Frank Rivera and Bill Loblein scored on TD runs of 54 and 65 yards, respectively.
Jackson’s offense was powered again by senior running back Jeramy Edwards, who collected a total of 210 yards on the ground. Edwards scored on a 26-yard TD run in the second quarter that staked the Jags a 15-0 cushion.
"He had another outstanding game for us," Lawrence said. "Without a doubt he is the main guy on our offense. We need him to have the type of games he’s been having in order for us to win. He is doing his part to help this team win."
Sophomore place kicker Ryan Andrews also impressed Lawrence by connecting on three field goals. Andrews converted kicks of 30, 26 and 36 yards for the Jags.
"He’s been doing a solid job of making field goals for us," Lawrence said. "He is still just only a sophomore, so his best is yet to come. If he continues to work hard, there is no telling how good he can be in the future."
Lawrence says his team continues to remain optimistic despite the mediocre 2-2 start.
"We’re making progress with every week," Lawrence said. "I believe that we are headed in the right direction. We have a lot of young guys who are gaining valuable experience. We need to exercise patience with this group."
Lawrence expects Friday’s match-up with Toms River East to be another nip-and-tuck battle.
"All the games are going to be close," Lawrence said. "This one isn’t going to be any different. They run the option, and we are going to have to play very smart against it. We haven’t played against an option offense all that much, so it is going to be a challenge."