SALEM OH- Jackson Milton claimed the MVAC Scarlet Tier crown on Wednesday, firing a team score of 325 and beating out the closest team McDonald by 12 strokes.
Leading the way for the Blue Jays, Ryen Romigh shot a 79, followed closely by Hunter Schertzer with an 80. Colton Elliott and Blake Hochendoner both carded an 83, while Jackson Horner rounded out the team with a 98.
MINERAL RIDGE OH- Mineral Ridge kicked off their conference play with a bang Friday night, steamrolling Jackson Milton 42-14 in a dominant performance.
In the first quarter, Mineral Ridge got on the board first when Jacob Russell punched it in from 2 yards out to cap off a 40-yard drive, putting the Rams up 7-0 with 5:40 left in the quarter.
Jackson Milton answered early in the second quarter with a 46-yard touchdown run by Vinny Fay to tie it up at 7-7. Mineral Ridge wasted no time responding, as Landon Bingham connected with Jonathan Rozzi on a 38-yard pass to set up a quick 14-yard TD run from Russell, making it 14-7 with 9:46 left in the half. The defense stepped up next, as Rozzi snagged an interception at the Rams’ 20-yard line, and on the very next play, Bingham hit Rozzi again for a 75-yard touchdown bomb to extend the lead to 21-7 with just 1:32 left before halftime.
In the third quarter, Brady Balestrino took over, breaking free for a 34-yard TD run to make it 28-7 with 8:55 remaining. He followed that up with a 1-yard TD run later in the quarter, pushing the score to 35-7.
In the fourth, Bingham hit Balestrino for a 37-yard touchdown pass, putting the game out of reach at 42-7 with 5:46 left. Jackson Milton managed a late 60-yard TD run to close the gap, but the game was already well in hand for Mineral Ridge.
Mineral Ridge will look to keep their momentum going as they hit the road to face Waterloo next week, while Jackson Milton also travels to Waterloo, looking to bounce back.
MCDONALD OH- McDonald kept their unbeaten streak alive on Monday, sweeping Jackson Milton in three sets (25-21, 25-18, 25-14) to stay perfect on the season. The Blue Devils controlled the pace, never letting Jackson Milton gain any momentum.
Gianna Costantino was a force with 19 kills, 23 digs, and 2 aces, notching another double-double. Audrey Evans chipped in with 5 kills and 5 digs, while Halle Kuntz added 9 kills and 2 aces. Cierra Shiley contributed 6 kills to the offensive attack, and Ava Salomone was everywhere with 35 assists and 14 digs, securing her own double-double. Miley Titus held down the back row with 13 digs.
Next up for McDonald is a conference showdown on the road against Campbell on Tuesday. The Blue Devils are looking to keep their momentum rolling!
By Ty Bartell
WINDHAM, OH — In a clash of unbeaten teams, the Windham Bombers outlasted the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays 26-14 in a rain-soaked contest dominated by both teams’ rushing attacks.
Windham (3-0) struck first with a 39-yard touchdown run by Jack Eye on a reverse play. Jackson-Milton (2-1) responded with a drive to the 1-yard line, but a lightning delay halted the action for nearly 40 minutes.
When play resumed, the Blue Jays capitalized on a mishandled snap, as Vincent Fay recovered the fumble in the end zone to give his team an 8-6 lead after Windham missed its extra point.
The Bombers quickly bounced back after the delay. Eye set up Windham in the red zone with a gutsy run on a fake punt. Windham’s persistence paid off as Dejuan Ramsey punched in a touchdown on fourth down, giving the Bombers a 12-8 advantage before halftime.
In the second half, Windham’s defense stood tall, stopping Jackson-Milton at the goal line and forcing a turnover on downs. Carlos Bruton extended the Bombers’ lead with a 21-yard rushing touchdown, putting Windham ahead 18-8.
Jackson-Milton fought back, as Fay broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run to narrow the gap to 18-14, but Windham’s defense held firm on the Blue Jays’ final drive. Eye sealed the victory with a 1-yard touchdown plunge, capping off the scoring at 26-14.
With the win, Windham remains undefeated and will host Tuscarawas Central Catholic next week. Jackson-Milton looks to rebound as it hosts Mineral Ridge in a matchup filled with revenge from last season.
NORTH JACKSON OH- Jackson-Milton flexed their muscle on the soccer field Wednesday, shutting down previously unbeaten LaBrae with a dominant 4-0 victory.
The Jays’ defense was rock solid, with Brycen McCabe, Preston McCabe, Brady Cole, and Ben Bacorn all making standout plays. Their effort on both sides of the ball was key to the win.
Next up, Jackson-Milton will take on Crestview at home on Wednesday, September 4th.
NORTH JACKSON OH- Jackson-Milton was all business in their home gym on Monday, taking down Western Reserve in four sets (25-10, 25-23, 16-25, 25-20).
Peyton Ford led the charge for JM, hammering down 13 kills and throwing up 4 blocks. Mya Havidich-Crummel added 10 kills to the mix, while Brena McBeth was a wall at the net with 7 kills and 7 blocks. Grace Johns was a defensive dynamo, racking up 28 digs and serving up 3 aces. Hailey Chudomelka set the table with 21 assists.
Western Reserve didn’t go quietly. Izzy Mauro was a force with 19 kills, 14 digs, 7 blocks, and 2 aces. Haylee Fellows dished out 17 assists and added 7 digs.
Jackson-Milton takes a break before they’re back in action on Wednesday, September 4th, hosting Hubbard. Western Reserve will be looking to bounce back on Wednesday when they host Mooney.
VIENNA, OH-=The Jackson-Milton Blue Jays kicked off their season in dominant fashion, securing a 24-6 victory over the Mathews Mustangs on opening night. Despite an early scare from Mathews, the Blue Jays rallied behind a stellar performance from Keegan White, who found the end zone four times to lead his team to victory.
Mathews started the game on a high note, with quarterback Caden Brubaker leading a methodical drive down the field. Brubaker capped it off with a 16-yard touchdown run on a QB keeper, putting the Mustangs ahead 6-0 with 8:44 left in the first quarter. The Mustangs’ early lead energized their sideline and fans, but the momentum would be short-lived.
Jackson-Milton wasted no time responding. On their first possession, the Blue Jays marched down the field, and Keegan White powered his way into the end zone from 15 yards out to tie the game at 6 with just under three minutes left in the quarter. White’s touchdown not only leveled the score but also set the tone for what would become a breakout night for the Blue Jays’ offense.
The second quarter saw both defenses tighten up, but it was Jackson-Milton who broke through again before halftime. With the clock winding down, White delivered another highlight-worthy run, this time bursting through the Mathews defense for a 41-yard touchdown. The impressive play gave the Blue Jays a 12-6 lead heading into the locker room.
After the break, the Blue Jays continued to assert their dominance. White, who had already scored twice, added another touchdown on a one-yard plunge midway through the third quarter. His third score of the night extended Jackson-Milton’s lead to 18-6, putting the Mustangs in a tough spot as they struggled to find an answer to White’s relentless ground attack.
As the final quarter began, the Blue Jays were in full control. Mathews, desperate to mount a comeback, couldn’t crack the Jackson-Milton defense. With time running out, White delivered the final blow, a four-yard touchdown run that sealed the game and secured Jackson-Milton’s first win of the season.
Keegan White’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he accounted for all four of Jackson-Milton’s touchdowns and led the Blue Jays to a convincing 24-6 victory over Mathews. The win gives Jackson-Milton a strong start to the season, showcasing their potential as a formidable team in the weeks to come.
For Mathews, the early lead provided a glimpse of what they’re capable of, but the Mustangs will need to regroup and find consistency as they move forward in the season.
As the Blue Jays celebrate their opening night triumph, fans can look forward to more exciting action as the season unfolds, with Jackson-Milton setting the tone for what could be a memorable year, but before they look too far down the road, they’ll be preparing for Newton Falls in week 2 at The Nest.
NORTH JACKSON OH- Springfield picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday night, taking down Jackson Milton in a gritty four-set battle to kick off league play (22-25, 25-13, 25-22, 25-23).
Baelyn Brungard was everywhere for the Tigers, racking up 18 digs, 20 kills, and 3 aces. Jameka Brungard wasn’t far behind with 13 digs and a team-high 23 kills. Mariana Tuscano chipped in with 10 digs, 7 kills, and 5 aces, while Karigan Mullen dished out 45 assists and added 8 digs.
Springfield now looks ahead to their home opener on Thursday, where they’ll host Campbell. Jackson Milton will be back on the court Wednesday, heading to Sebring.
NORTH JACKSON OH- In the heart of Jackson Milton’s softball lineup and the core of their diamond, senior Macayle Thornhill stands as a towering figure, both a leader and a powerhouse. With a mix of grit and grace, Thornhill has steered a young Blue Jays squad to a remarkable season, culminating in a hard-fought district runner-up trophy. Her influence extends beyond mere performance; it’s about setting a tone, a standard that has lifted her team to new heights.
In the circle, Thornhill is nothing short of dominant. Throughout the season, she’s relentlessly honed her skills, throwing a whopping 67.1 innings with a stellar 7-1 record. Her stat line dazzles with 69 strikeouts against just 10 walks, boasting an impressive 1.87 ERA. Macayle’s dedication to perfecting her pitches and mastering the circle has made her a formidable force, one that opponents have learned to both respect and fear.
But Thornhill isn’t just a star pitcher; she’s equally lethal with a bat in her hands. This season, she’s been smashing the ball at a .441 average, cracking 7 doubles and driving in 16 runs. With an on-base percentage of .500, Macayle is a constant threat, turning games with her powerful swings and clutch performances.
Next chapter of her softball career is set to unfold at Washington & Jefferson, where she’ll no doubt continue to evolve, pushing her limits and setting new benchmarks. This move isn’t just a step up; it’s a leap into a future filled with potential and promise.
Thornhill’s legacy at Jackson Milton is etched not just in the record books but in the ethos of the Blue Jays’ softball program. Her leadership has been a catalyst for growth, instilling a belief and a fighting spirit that will undoubtedly influence the team for years to come. As Macayle Thornhill moves on to college ball, she leaves behind a legacy of determination and excellence that will continue to inspire and guide the future of Jackson Milton softball.
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BRISTOL OH- Jackson Milton sailed past Bristol with a solid 6-1 victory in the Sectional Finals this Thursday.
The Blue Jays got things rolling right off the bat when Dominic Krol tagged up and dashed home to light up the scoreboard first. Ronald Imhoff’s groundout pulled Bristol even in the blink of an eye at the bottom of the first, but that tie was short-lived.
Top of the second, Krol smacked a single that brought another run home, pushing Jackson Milton ahead 2-1. That lead only grew as the game unfolded.
On the mound, Diesel Williams was dealing for Bristol, giving up eight hits and three runs in his four-inning stint, striking out two. Landon Workman took the hill for the Blue Jays, keeping it tight with just three hits and one run allowed across a full seven innings, adding six Ks to his stats.
Imhoff was the lone spark for Bristol, knocking in their only run and going 1-for-3 at the plate. Kohler and Burbach managed to snag a hit each in an otherwise quiet game for Bristol.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays’ bats were on fire, racking up 12 hits. Krol was unstoppable, going 4-for-4 and setting the tone at the top of the order. Alex Rotuna also had a good day with the bat, picking up two hits in three attempts. Defensively, Jackson Milton was sharp, turning a crucial double play to keep their lead intact.
Jackson Milton advances to the District Semifinals where they’ll meet familiar foe Mineral Ridge. That game is set for Tuesday in Niles with a 5:00 first pitch.