Jacksboro to face an aerial attack

When most of your opponents run the ball, it’s a bit easier knowing what to expect.

When your opponent throws the ball for 351 yards a game it poses a bit of a different challenge.

Jacksboro will have to face the challenge head on tonight as the Tigers face probably the most prolific passing team it has seen in many a year in New Diana in a Class 3A Division II regional semifinal Thursday at 7 at the Star in Frisco. Tiger Coach Brannon Rodgers says having to face a passing team poses a different set of challenges.

“They’re a combination of Nocona and City View as far as teams we’ve seen,” Rodgers said. “They have good receivers and a quarterback that can obviously throw. We’re definitely going to have to ramp up our game plan.”

Senior quarterback Jackson Sampson has thrown for 4,216 yards in 12 games on 251-387 passing. Sampson has thrown for 55 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. He had an “off” night in last week’s area game with Leonard, going 15-23 for 214 yards and two scores in the 36-8 victory.

Senior Cody Payton (48-1,371, 20 TDs) had two scoring TDs last week with his classmate T.J. Rogers (87-1,492, 19 TDs) a receiving threat as well. The Eagles have a number of viable options in both the rushing and receiving corps, much like Jacksboro.

Sophomore Zane Freeman had 75 yards rushing and a touchdown last week to pace the ground game, which averages more than 145 yards a contest. For the year he has rushed for 379 yards on 72 carries and four TDs. Marquice Wilkerson (64-439, 3 TDs) paces the rushing attack with Aron Jahr having good games the last two weeks.

The Eagle offense is averaging 46 points a game while giving up more than 31 but is coming off their lowest defensive total against Leonard. Rodgers said that while the game poses some challenges the squad may not be familiar with, the focus needs to remain the same.

“We need to do our job well and stay focused on the game,” Rodgers said. “As soon as you lose focus, opponents will take advantage.”

Jacksboro has been able to avoid the dreaded injury bug this year, which has aided in its success. While the squad has the normal bumps and bruises you would expect this time of the season, the squad is in pretty good shape.

“We’re probably in about as good a shape as we were following Holliday,” Rodgers said.

For those that can’t make the game, the game will once again be streamed on kntx.com or on the phone by getting the TunedIn app and searching KNTX.