Brandon Winston has had a big part in much of the success the Jackson Memorial High School football team had this season, and his play on Nov. 24 helped to clinch a winning season for the Jaguars.
Colts Neck High School running back Patrick Murtha (c) tries to break free of the hold of Howell’s Tory Robinson (81) and Jesse Rockhill (53) during the first half of the Nov. 24 season-ending football game at Howell. The Rebels clinched a winning 2010 campaign with a 27-21 win over the visiting Cougars. More photos, www.gmnews.com. ERIC SUCAR staff In addition to scoring two touchdowns on short runs, Winston got off a crucial punt that averted what could have been big trouble for the Jaguars and kept Jackson Liberty at bay in the Thanksgiving eve clash.
Jackson Memorial went on to win the game, 20-13, and the Don Connor Cup. Connor was a former Jackson Memorial High School athletic director.
The 2010 contest marked the third meeting on the gridiron between Jackson’s two high schools. The Jaguars have won all three meetings.
On the punt, Winston tracked down an errant snap that sailed over his head and got off a 30-yard kick that pinned the Lions at their own 13-yard line. Shortly after that, Jackson Memorial’s Mike Lopez picked up a loose ball and tumbled one yard into the end zone for the insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“They did a couple of things we didn’t expect early in the game [when Jackson Memorial took a 14-0 lead] and then we made adjustments and shut them down,” said Jackson Liberty coach Tim Osborn, who hailed the season-long solid defensive play of Greg O’Connor along with Tyler Souza.
Jackson Liberty finished the 2010 campaign with a 4-6 record.
On the other side of the field, Jackson Memorial coach Mike Smith said a rash of injuries and his players’ adjustment to a new spread offense led to a 1-4 start.
Eventually, many of the injured players returned and the starters adjusted to the new schemes as Jackson Memorial won its last five games to finish the season with a 6-4 record.
“It took some adjusting but actually, this is the best we’ve done offensively in a long time,” said Smith.
Winston rushed for 81 yards as Jackson Memorial had a 142 to 85 edge in yardage against the Lions.
Jackson Liberty quarterback Dylan Wright completed 14-27 passes and rushed for 53 yards in what Osborn called “the best game he’s ever had running and throwing the ball.”
Wright connected with Ronald Brown on two touchdown passes, the latter from a yard out, to close the scoring. The extrapoint kick was blocked.
The game was in contrast to a year ago when Jackson Liberty came into the holiday showdown at 5-4 in search of a winning record and Jackson Memorial was looking to dodge a losing season with a 4-5 record. Jackson Memorial won that game, 9-7, as both teams finished 5-5.