The MIAA has a variety of explosive offensives that test defenses in different ways. But after seeing the league one time through, Lincoln head coach Jermaine Gales and defensive coordinator Joseph Carter believe their defense is ready for the challenge this time around when the season opens at 7 p.m. today with a road matchup at No. 19 Emporia State. Now, the Blue Tiger defense has to go out and prove it.
Stability is starting to return to Jefferson City football. Steadiness at the head coach position is something Jays’ fans grew accustomed to with Pete Adkins heading the program from 1958-94. But after Ron Cole, Tony Grosso and Ted LePage filled the position from 1995-2017, Jefferson City cycled through Terry Walker and Scott Bailey in a matter of three years. Entering the Jays’ season opener at 8 p.m. today against the School of the Osage Indians at Adkins Stadium, Jefferson City has found some stability in head coach Damon Wells as he enters his third season.
Turnover is to be expected on a yearly basis in high school football, but the Jefferson City Jays are dealing with the task of replacing the rushing production from last year’s senior trio of Rodney Wilson, Ethan Garnett and Zane Wings. Jefferson City knows it won’t be easy to replace them, but the Jays are excited for what senior Kantrell Jordan, junior Jaiden LaViolette and sophomore Zach Barnes will bring to the table this year as the starting backfield.
There was no shortage of offense Tuesday night at Jefferson City High School.
The Battle Spartans and Jefferson City Jays combined for 23 runs on 27 hits, but the Spartans held on late for a 12-11 victory in Central Missouri Activities Conference play.
The Jefferson City Jays heard the final horn Friday night and celebrated their 43-21 victory against the Kirksville Tigers by sliding across the rainy Adkins Stadium turf following the Class 4 District 5 semifinal matchup.
It was a fitting celebration for the Jays, who advanced to their second straight district championship game with the win.