Friday night was a historic night for the high schools in Jackson County.
While some were cheering, others will have to wait for redemption this week, or even next year to regain their pride.
The Tigers of Commerce had their fur fluffed once more by the Jefferson Dragons.
To prove that last year’s victory was not a fluke, the Dragons traveled over to Tiger Country Friday night and laid another whupping on the team that historically has been the best in the area.
While this year’s 35-14 win may not have been as impressive as the 42-7 win in 2007, the fact remains that Jefferson will retain the bragging rights for another year despite it not being a region game for the schools. When it comes to bragging rights, a win is a win.
Jefferson secured its first win as an AA school and defeated an in-county rival to boot. Like it or not, Commerce also has to note losing twice to the Jefferson team.
Equally historic, if not more so, the Jackson County Panthers defeated Our Lady of Mercy to break a losing streak that haunted the team during 2007.
The Panthers managed to hold onto to win by a single touchdown, winning 16-10, and were very enthusiastic over accomplishing their first goal of the season.
Coming out of last year’s season, the opening win for 2008 is just that much sweeter for the team. Saying the team was hungry for a win would not do justice to how badly the Panthers wanted to win.
East Jackson had the closest game imaginable in the back end of the fourth quarter, losing by one point to West Hall.
The Eagles were leading with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter 27-21. Then a West Hall touchdown tied everything up, and a Spartan field goal pushed them one ahead leaving East Jackson unable to get back into the end zone.
While last Friday night definitely charged the teams and the fans for the season, the real question is what can they do this week?
While the past week’s games are marked down into the annuals of achievements the players, coaches and fans are looking ahead to the next game. For those on bottom last week, the next game is a chance to improve. The teams that won will have to use that energy to motivate themselves to another achievement this week.
Justin Poole is a reporter for MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. Contact him at justin@mainstreetnews.com.
