Vikings set to host first playoff game since 1999 as Livonia Churchill comes to town
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – There’s been plenty of adversity, more ups than downs, and a season to remember for the Jackson High football team.
And it’s not over yet.
Just days removed from an emotional, and many would call surprising, victory against Lumen Christi in overtime to close out the regular season, Scott Farley and his guys were back to work in preparation for a home playoff date with Livonia Churchill Friday night.
And Farley’s hoping it’s another party at Withington Stadium.
“I’d love the same support we got last Friday,” the Vikings’ coach said. “A lot of people came out to see if we could take down the giant. Hopefully they all come back this weekend.”
They might as well, considering it’s been a while since playoff football came to Jackson for a Vikings game.
It was 1999 when Jackson hosted and beat Battle Creek Central 28-13. Since then, all five postseason games have required a bus trip to get to.
“It’s very gratifying from the standpoint that we’ve overcome a lot of adversity the past 12 months,” Farley said of a 7-2 regular season. “It’s always good to see young men meet that adversity in a positive way and come together the way we did.”
But the challenges only get bigger from here on out.
Churchill finished the year 5-4, but played in the very competitive Kensington Lakes South Division, and had to beat Livonia Stevenson (6-3) by a 40-34 count last week to earn an at-large bid to the Division 2 postseason.
“It’s a very good team, explosive on offense and very different from what we’ve seen,” Farley said. “They run a contemporary and sophisticated spread offense, which is a good match up for our kids based on the speed we have.”
Farley may like the matchup, but he’s well aware of the facts.
Churchill enters the game with an offense averaging more than 30 points per game, and one that scored 43, 33 and 40 in its past three victories.
Defensively, though, the Chargers will surrender some points, more than 24 for the season and 31.2 in the four losses.
For Jackson, which has won four in a row and five in the past six weeks, the approach has to be the same.
Make plays when possible, and take advantage of mistakes should they present themselves.
It worked last week in one of the bigger wins in program history — an afterthought now, Farley said.
“That’s what I love about these guys. We’ve have some big wins, and they’ve done a great job putting it behind them and focusing on what’s next,” he said. “We’ve had a good few days of practice already. They’re excited for what’s next.”
The game will air on JTV and JTV.TV Saturday at 1pm and 7pm and Sunday at 3:30pm. Follow JTV Sports on twitter for updates throughout the game.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.