By Jordan Taylor, Sports731 Reporter
Jackson Central Merry (JCM) is gearing up for an exciting 2023 football season as they prepare to kick off the season tomorrow night against Liberty. This year marks a significant milestone for the Cougars, as they will be included in a region and eligible for the playoffs for the first time since reopening.
Under the guidance of Coach Erit Turner, JCM has faced its fair share of adversity. Not having a home stadium for the 2023 season adds another challenge to the mix. However, Coach Turner is proud of his team’s resilience and their ability to tackle adversity head-on.
The journey to this point began when Coach Turner decided to play an independent varsity schedule in 2022, after initially planning for two years of junior varsity play. This decision proved to be beneficial, as it helped the team be better prepared for the upcoming season.
Winter and spring workouts showcased the excellent strides made by the JCM players. With only four seniors lost from the previous year, Coach Turner focused on building depth and developing the younger players during the offseason. The team saw promising numbers during the spring, with 30-35 players coming out to participate.
A scrimmage against Humboldt provided Coach Turner with a glimpse of the team’s growth since the final game of the previous season. Encouraged by the progress, he held tryouts and added several talented players to the roster. By the time summer arrived, the team had nearly doubled in size, with approximately 60 players ready to take the field.
Summer practice focused on increasing depth and building upon the progress made during the spring workouts. Coach Turner emphasized the importance of strength training and honing the team’s base offense and defenses. The players were divided into specific roles to ensure a better understanding of their responsibilities.
As the dead period ended, JCM intensified their training with a four-day practice schedule. Coach Turner and his staff pushed the team to be the best version of themselves. Preseason scrimmages against Fayette Academy and Chester County revealed some growing pains, but Coach Turner saw potential for growth in those areas.
Opting out of the jamboree, JCM turned their attention solely to their Week 1 matchup against Liberty. Despite having a young team, with a majority of sophomores and juniors, Coach Turner expressed confidence in their ability to execute as a cohesive unit. The team’s physicality, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, will be a key factor in their strategy to overpower opponents.
With the 2023 season set to kick off tomorrow night, JCM fans can expect an exciting and promising season under Coach Turner’s leadership. The Cougars are determined to make a playoff push and showcase their growth and potential on the field.
The season opener against Liberty will take place tomorrow, August 18th at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the live broadcast of the game on JJ 97.7 and sports731.com, with coverage starting at 6:30 PM.
