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Quite a ride
Published November 30, 2009
The opportunity was there for North Jackson’s season to sink into the abyss.
An offensive slump reached its peak in Week 8, as the Chiefs managed just seven points in a 14-7 upset loss at Plainview.
For the second straight week, North Jackson had lost to a region opponent. The week before, Guntersville rallied from a 23-7 first-half deficit to beat the Chiefs 30-23, ending the Chief’s 33-game winning streak against region opponents.
And suddenly, North Jackson was riding a two-game region losing streak.
“This thing could’ve gotten away from us. Most teams it would have,” said North Jackson coach Shawn Peek. “When we were sitting there 5-3, it could have very easily went to 5-6. With kids of lesser character it would have.”
Instead, North Jackson rallied, beating Fairview 44-21 in Week 9 to clinch the region’s third seed for the Class 4A playoffs.
After drubbing Etowah 56-34 in a game not as close as the final score indicated, the Chiefs went on the road to face Brooks in Killen for a first round playoff game.
After trailing 13-7 at halftime, North Jackson dominated the second half to defeat the No. 10-ranked Lions 36-19 to earn a rematch with Guntersville.
This time, the Chiefs held off a Guntersville comeback attempt. After leading 16-0 at halftime, North Jackson stopped Guntersville’s game-tying two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter and won 16-14 to reach the state quarterfinals for the first time since the 2005 season.
The Chiefs’ season ended in Round 3, as the visiting No. 1-ranked Cherokee County Warriors used their speed and offensive prowess to win, 56-32, a week ago in Stevenson.
Peek was disappointed for his players that they didn’t advance, but there was no disappointment in what the squad accomplished.
“I’m as proud as if you’d won the whole thing,” Peek told his players during a teary speech moments after the game.
North Jackson’s season ended with a 9-4 record.
“I’m proud of this group’s character as much as anything else,” Peek said. “It didn’t surprise me (to make the quarterfinals after starting 5-3) because I’ve seen the way (the players) worked and battled since Day 1 (of the offseason).”
Peek lauded the leadership shown by the team's 14 seniors, which included Cody Chisenall, Joseph Clark, Jonathan Davis, Zach Hammontree, Mark Kelly, Robbie Padgett, Justin Redd, Will Richard, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Smith, Zach Stewart, Jovani Taylor, Spencer Wildman and Cord Wordlaw.
“What a group of seniors,” Peek said. “I’m just proud of this group.”
Offensive firepower
North Jackson’s 2009 season produced some historic numbers on offense.
The passing oriented Chiefs broke most of the school's passing records, but also factored into the state record book.
North Jackson’s 509 points is the 41st all-time best total according to records listed on the Alabama High School Athletic Association's web site, and the Chiefs’ 3,268 passing yards is the state’s seventh best ever season total. The 42 passing touchdowns ties North Jackson with Russellville for fourth all-time in a single season.
Quarterback Will Richard completed 194 of 305 pass attempts for 3,056 yards, which ranks 14th all-time in state history for a single season. Richard’s 37 touchdown passes is tied for the ninth best single season total, and his 421-yard passing performance against Cherokee County is tied for the 18th best single game total in state history.
Receiver Montel Hale finished 2009 with 21 touchdown receptions, tying him for fifth-place for a single-season total. Hale’s 1,306 receiving yards is the ninth best in a single season. Teammate Jovani Taylor closed with 1,101 receiving yards, which is 34th best for a single season.
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