Football

‘Leader by example’

Junior Abi Lemon gives her all in four different sports

by Aubrey Cummings

Four different sports each school year seems impossible. How exactly does one do it?

Junior Abi Lemon does just that and has every year since she started high school. She participates in football, soccer, wrestling, and tennis.

Junior Abi Lemon shows determination during a wrestling meet. In addition to her leadership on the wrestling mat. Lemon also plays football, soccer, and tennis. Submitted photo.

“They are all so different but also help each other in their own way,” she explained.

She doesn’t just participate in these sports, though. She leads in them. She is the person coaches look to for an example. She is also the person her teammates look to when they need help.

Wrestling coach Danny Struck described Lemon as a leader on and off the mat.

“She leads by example. She’s involved in so many things. It’s what leaders do — they get involved. But she doesn’t just participate, she gives them her all.”

Lemon is constantly doing whatever she can to get better in each sport she participates in.

“I am constantly training, whether it’s for one sport or multiple. During soccer I’m also training for football, and when those are over, wrestling begins. And when in tennis I also train with the track team on occasion,” she said.

Her family plays a big role in why she plays the sports she plays.

“My mom is a really big soccer fan, so getting into it was for her, but I also found a love for it myself,” Lemon explained. “And my family is always playing tennis together.”

Lemon isn’t just an athlete, though — she is also a student, an employee and a friend. She is constantly having to find a way to balance all of this, which isn’t always easy.

“I am basically always busy, which means doing school work on the way to meets or games or even the period before it’s due,” Lemon said with a laugh.

Throughout the time Lemon has participated in these sports she has made friendships that she never would have had she not been a part of the team.

“Until I joined to football team, I never would’ve never even considered being friends with the guys, but when I joined I met them and now they are some of my closest friends.”

Lemon is a role model for those who want to try something new and for those who are already in the sports they love. She shows people how to push through challenges and she teaches people what it means to be a leader.

Junior Abi Lemon wrestles her opponent; wrestling is one of four sports Lemon participates in at JHS. Submitted photo.

17 Dec 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Jennings County 35-21

Friday’s win brings Red Devils to 4-5, 3-3 in Hoosier Hills Conference play

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Parker McCloskey.

The Red Devil student section poses, modeling the Pink Out clothes for Friday’s theme. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

21 Oct 202521 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Columbus East defeats Red Devils 28-9; JHS plays Jennings County this Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad.

Senior Maxwell Schoonover looks off in the distance while the national anthem plays at the beginning of the JHS game with Columbus East on Friday. Columbus East won 28-9. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

13 Oct 202513 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS prepares to face off with New Albany tonight

by Austin Bainbridge

Both Jeff and New Albany come into tonight’s game looking to get their seasons on track.

New Albany is in the search for their first win, and Jeff has lost two straight in brutal fashion. However, a win could set their campaigns straight.

“We have to win these next three; if we do that we’ll be 5-4 and going into the playoffs, that would be a success for this young team,” said head coach Joe Washington.

This is a big rivalry for both communities, and the players are ready to perform.

Sophomore Austin Bainbridge and sophomore Jaxx Long do a pre-game handshake during the Homecoming game against Bloomington North. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

“We can beat them for sure; I mean, their 0-6. We are a way better team than them,” said sophomore fullback Jaxx Long.

Jeff comes into tonight’s match-up 2-4, trying to get back on the path to prepare for a playoff push.

“I think we have a couple games down the stretch that we’re favored in, and we can win. Columbus East will be a tough matchup, but if we do what we’re supposed to we can win that game as well,” said Washington.

The coaches believe that the team can succeed, but it’s on the players if they want to win.

“It’s only the little things that we aren’t doing right. If the players come together and see the bigger picture and dig a little deeper, then I think the next three games can go in our favor,” said Washington.

Even though the Bulldogs come into the game winless this season, Jeff players know this isn’t a free win.

“We have to play determined and as a team. Even though they’re 0-6, a win is never free. If we all stick together I know we can walk out of there with a win,” said junior linemen Liam Jackson.

The team only has a handful of seniors starting on the roster, so there is some experience left to be desired.

Sophomore Andre Walker during the JHS-Bloomington North game last Friday. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

“We have a very young roster, and this is the first adversity they have seen. When we went 6-4 last year a lot of these guys didn’t play. I think they just need some ‘want-to’ so we can go out and win,” said Washington

Everybody on the team has been preparing for this game for a long time, and they’re ready to settle the rivalry for this year.

“The mentality for us is a no-brainer at this point. We know they don’t like us and we don’t like them, so there’s some bad blood, so we have to ride the wave and step up to the plate,” said Washington.

3 Oct 20253 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS celebrates homecoming this past Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Sophia Goforth, and Isaiah Stewart.

The girls’ court and queen candidates posing. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

2 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Bloomington North defeats JHS last Friday 36-3

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Sophia Goforth, and Isaiah Stewart.

Senior Tre Martin running with the flag to start the game. Martin was crowned Homecoming king later in the evening. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

2 Oct 20252 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Homecoming game against Bloomington North tonight at 7 p.m.; royalty crowned at halftime

26 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Floyd Central beats Jeff 34-12 on Friday; Red Devils prepare for Bloomington North and Homecoming this Friday, Sept. 26

All photos by Magdalene Conrad, Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey.

Seniors Tre Martin and Bryce Grant hold a special photo of Noah Maddox, presented as a gift to Floyd Central prior to the game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

22 Sep 202522 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils face Floyd Central tonight on Senior Night

by Austin Bainbridge

It’s a rivalry week for Jeff football, matching up against a Floyd Central team that has had great success against them in the past, and Jeff is trying to turn the corner on tonight’s game.

Junior Benji Rice poses for the camera after a touchdown against the Seymour Owls. The Red Devils play Floyd Central tonight. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

“It’s a mental thing for the players, when a team just beats you down year after year you just expect it to keep happening, so I’m hoping we can get this done,” said head coach Joe Washington.

The coaches know this game starts with them, and they want to show the players a way to win.

“This game starts with me. If I’m fiery and excited about the game, I think the players are going to feed off my energy. So I hope me showing how much I care will make the players really want to dominate Floyd,” Washington said.

Even though Jeff hasn’t beat Floyd in 11 years, the players remain confident in their skills.

“I think they’re scared of coming here and losing. When you’re scared of doing something, you come up with excuses to get out of it,” said fullback Jaxx Long.

The Jeffersonville defense made several stands against Kokomo last week, along with a dramatically improved performance at Bedford-North Lawrence.

“Our linebacker play was really good against Kokomo. Malachi Monts had 13 tackles, and KT (senior Kurion Thompson) had nine and an interception. I think that’s what helped with the win,” said Washington

The defense is going to have to step up to stop Floyd’s potent rushing attack, which went for 425 yards last game.

“They played Silver. I mean, it’s not too hard to rush for 400 against Silver Creek. We put in a new defense, we’re going a five-man front this week to try to slow down their running game,” said Washington.

It’s Senior Night tonight, and that is just more motivation for the players.

“I want to play hard and win to give these seniors a good memory before they go off to college,” said Long.

The coaching staff sees where a win could take Jeff, and they want to make it there

“A win against Floyd would start a fire and start this program down a path we want to go,” said Washington

19 Sep 202519 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils travel to Kokomo to compete tonight

The offensive line snaps the ball to junior Benji Rice for an attempt at a touchdown against the Seymour Owls. The Red Devils won 20-6, picking up the first win of the season. They lost to Bedford-North Lawrence last week, and head to Kokomo to compete tonight. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by Austin Bainbridge

Jeff came out of Bedford North Lawrence with a loss but is still looking forward to tonight against Kokomo to redeem themselves and get back to .500.

“I’m excited to see what their defense has to offer against us, and I’m ready to get another win,” said fullback Jaxx Long.

Kokomo had five turnovers last week, resulting in a 22-15 loss to Monrovia, and Jeff is going try to find a way to exploit that.

“Fine-tuning our defensive scheme, make sure everybody’s in the same place they need to be and knowing who exactly their supposed to cover in zone coverage and just trying to get some of those picks is crucial,” said head coach Joe Washington.

Against BNL Jeff had some defensive trouble, allowing 48 points, and Kokomo has the players to put up a similar performance.

“Kokomo has a receiver, number four (Baris Moore) — he’s pretty dynamic. He’s a good go-ball receiver and double move guy. He’s just bigger, faster and stronger than our other opponents,” said Washington.

Despite the defensive struggle, the Red Devils had a solid offensive game that they look to build on.

“As coaches we ran the ball effectively. Our RPO’s looked good, but the main thing was even though the score might have not indicated it we didn’t give up,” said Washington.

Coming out with the loss to BNL, Jeff is trying to to analyze what could have gone differently.

“I think the offense was very inconsistent. We had big drives, but then couldn’t do anything the next (drive). That then puts the defense in a bad place where they couldn’t do anything either,” said Long.

Despite what both teams’ records suggest, this is still a competitive matchup to measure where both teams can go with the rest of the season.

“If you combine both records it’s 1-5, so that’s not good, but there’s something to be said when a team schedules you as their homecoming, so that’s them saying they think they can beat us, but were ready to show them who we are,” said Washington

12 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen