Two years later after stepping into the dual role of coach and dad which was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life… things are much different now… my once young football player doesn’t need me like he used to and has developed into a starting defensive lineman and doesn’t need his dad on the sidelines anymore. Watching Jax this offseason (training with the Mets baseball team and with the Break Out Athlete Coaches was eye opening. Jax is now a confident player whose strength is literally off the charts!
I am so excited for what this season holds for Jax, he has always been the heart of the team and one of the best leaders on the team… but this year is the going to be his break out year on the field as well! I can feel it!
Season Running Summary
Team Linemen Challenge @Southington (2nd place overall)
Jax and eight of his offensive and defensive line teammates competed in the state linemen challenge tournament yesterday.
His team was dominant in all events while finishing in 2nd place overall. They also took first place overall in the Truck Push and Tug of War!! G7 turned heads all day.
Jackson was a machine and lead the way with the furthest medicine ball toss, and top times in the agility and move the mountain weight carry!
Best part was how all nine boys stood by each other from beginning to end and pushed each other past the limits thought they couldn’t reach! Watch out Shoreline Conference, Guilford is coming!!!
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Pre Season Jamboree
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Week 1: Newtown 7 – Guilford 6
Record 0-1
WHAT A HORRIBLE LOSS! I hate saying that, but man these kids played so hard all game against a really, really good team. They had the lead for all but two minutes and came up just short on a fourth down play from the five yard line for the win.
Jax was named a starting defensive lineman and played really well! He was in the backfield often and was very disruptive against a pass heavy team.
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Week 2: Southington 6 – Guilford 31
Record 1-1
It’s about time the BIG GUY gets some love! #87 got run with the starters on the offensive line this weekend and showed he belongs… Absolutely bulldozing kids. For the first time ever playing OL I’d say it was an overall success considering some of the holes he helped create you could drive a truck through. We are a super proud of him and his OL… those guys helped support and teach Jax as he learned the position as well. Best part is the boys in green came away with a 31-0 win!
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Week 3: Amity 0 – Guilford 31
Record 2-1
I feel bad for anyone who lives in Amity. Jackson hurt people today. I don’t mean he was doing anything illegal. I mean he was running over kids. At one point they lined up a smaller, faster player and Jax laid him out and ran over him like Allen Iverson walking over Ty Lue.
This kid is going to be a PROBLEM for teams!!!
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Week 4: Guilford 32 – Glastonbury 6
Record 3-1
An absolute monsoon. The kind where you were soaked within two seconds of being outside. Perfect football weather for a lineman. Jax played predominately defensive line in this game and was in the backfield all game! He’s been going up against their center (who is a massive kid) for years. Jax pushed him around all day helping limit Glastonbury to six points.
Jax’ defense has now only given up 12 points in their last three games!
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Week 5: Guilford 23 – Cheshire 12
Record 4-1
The boys had a great win on Sunday against a solid Cheshire team (the won the Lineman Challenge earlier this season). Our line had something to prove!
Who better to be named a captain than the big man in the middle! Jax was voted captain and helped his defensive line dominate the Cheshire lineman all game!
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Week 6: Guilford 12 – Wallingford 6
Record 5-1
Big win for the G7 boys in Wallingford! Jax played a lot on the defensive line against a team with a strong running game. In a game where the offense did not put up 20+ points they relied on their defense to carry them… and they did just that!
In addition to playing their hearts out and getting the big win, they presented the game ball to Eddie Barlage tonight. Eddie is a GHS alum (’22) who played football and wrestled. Eddie is enlisted in the Marine Corps and has been at practices and games with G7 throughout the season. This weekend was his last with the team as he is heading to Quantico. Good luck and thank you for your service! (Special guest appearance by #11 as the water boy!!!)
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Week 6: Guilford 8 – Pomparaug 40
Record: 5-2
The good… we were the first team to score on let alone have a lead against Pomp all season. The bad… the mauled us from start to finish.
We couldn’t move the ball… in another game with torrential downpours which takes away our elite passing game we struggled to run the ball.
Their offensive lineman (their entire team) was massive, Jax would have been the smallest player on their team. We got little to no penetration all game and when we did, they were already downfield. Jax used his impressive strength to get in the backfield a few plays against some very large kids! All in all… he showing tenacity on the DL!
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Week 7: Milford 0 – Guilford 35
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Week 8:
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Playoffs Round 1:
Madison 8 – Guilford 0
