Rockets flying high at 5-0
By Joe Smeltzer
For the Observer-Reporter
dugan@observer-reporter.com
CARMICHAELS – Jefferson-Morgan hasn’t been 5-0 much in its history.
Last season, it started 2-3.
The year before that, it didn’t win five games the entire season.
But under head coach Shane Ziats and quarterback Houston Guesman, the Rockets have launched themselves right into the thick of the Class A Tri-County South Conference picture.
Guesman (21 rush, 165 yards, TD) and running back John Woodward (20 carries, 105 yards, TD) led an offense that owned time of possession and played a big part in creating a 21-6 win over Carmichaels (2-1).
How does a 5-0 Jefferson-Morgan Rockets team sound?
“Great,” Ziats said.
Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull spoke highly of Guesman.
“That No. 2 for them is a very special player,” he said. “I’d describe him as a once-a-decade kind of player down here in Greene County.”
“The kid’s unbelievable,” Ziats said. “The kid’s unbelievable.”
Jefferson-Morgan only threw 10 passes, and many would call the offense one dimensional.
But right now, it’s effective.
“That’s what’s working,” Ziats said. “So we’re going to stick with that. Whatever works, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Carmichaels scored first, at the end of its first drive, a 3:27 journey punctuated by a 14-yard pass from Canon Bupka to Robbie Wilson-Jones. JM responded by taking the lead on a 3:59 drive then ended with a 1-yard keeper by Guesman. It stayed that way into halftme.
In the second half, Jefferson-Morgan overcame an interception to stop Carmichales and then embark on a 5:28 drive that ended with a six-yard TD run by John Woodward.
Jefferson-Morgan controlled time of possession for the rest of the second half, and Johnny Gilbert’s 6-yard TD run with 3:34 left virtually put the game to bed.
Jefferson-Morgan will look to stay unbeaten next week against West Greene at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 7. Carmichaels will look to bounce back next Friday at Bentworth, also scheduled for 7.
Despite the loss, Krull feels this team’s mentality is far ahead of where it was last year, when the Mikes went 2-8.
“They’re tough as hell,” he said. “The guys that we play out there are tough as hell. They don’t give a damn who they’re playing against. They’re tough, and they are the complete opposite of what they were last year.
“They ran away from collisions last year. We run toward collisions this year, and I can’t give our guys enough credit.”