EJ Looks to Toughen Up in Year Two of Niehaus Era

Key football players for East Jackson High School football, from left, are Cooper Pelton, Landon Roberts, Brian Hammer, Coach Joe Niehaus, Amarr Hunter, Mason Dingee, and Austin Tingley.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

Last year: 0-9 overall

Second-year Coach Joe Niehaus has seen the formula for a quality football program in the Cascades Conference.

It is based on being tough.

The coach points to Addison as the toughest team in the conference.

Numbers don’t lie as the Panthers have won three consecutive Cascades Conference titles.

“Our primary focus is building toughness throughout the program,” Niehaus wrote on a football preview for East Jackson. “That is based off of respect Addison and how tough they are.”

Niehaus saw some tough teams in his years as an assistant coach at Grass Lake.

Tri-captains Cooper Pelton (running back/linebacker), Mason Dingee (tight end/linebacker), and Austin Tingley (quarterback/safety) are three players the Trojans will depend on this season.

“We had a number of close games last year,” Tingley said. “We have to be prepared and play like it is our last game.”

Also expected to be larger contributors are Landon Roberts (wide receiver/safety), Caleb Weaver (running back/linebacker), Brian Hammer (lineman), Owen Swetland (lineman), and Braedon Desy (wide receiver/defensive back).

Newcomers expected to make an impact are Amarr Hunter (end), Dylan Osborne (lineman), Clayton Clark (running back/linebacker), and K.J. Olivier.

The Trojans expect nearly 30 at the varsity level and 20 on the junior varsity squad.

East Jackson High School

Football Schedule 2022

Aug. 26 Potterville at East Jackson 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 Napoleon at East Jackson 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 East Jackson at Grass Lake 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Manchester at East Jackson 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 East Jackson at Addison 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 East Jackson at Hanover-Horton 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 Homer at East Jackson (Homecoming) 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 East Jackson at Michigan Center 7 p.m.