Red Devils will play at Seymour this Friday
All photos by Parker McCloskey.
Parker McCloskey.
McCloskey.
Lawrence Central defeats JHS 67-20 in season opener
Parker McCloskey.
McCloskey.
Tag: Football
Parker McCloskey.
McCloskey.
Head coach Nick Cotner leads Red Devils into new season
JHS will face off with Lawrence Central tonight
by Austin Bainbridge
New JHS football coach Nick Cotner came into the position in mid-July, five months later than every head coach in the area after former head coach Doug Preston resigned. However, he still feels ready for this season.
“We haven’t felt rushed since most of these guys have run spread before; they know the formations. It’s all just a different name. I feel like we’re ready,” said Cotner, who previously coached at Scottsburg.
Cotner knows that coming in so late means he still needs to find a connection with his players to lead to success.
“Players don’t care what you know until they know you care. So I make sure everybody knows I’m here to stay and I want what’s best for them,” he said.
Players said they feel how much Cotner cares and wants success for the Red Devils.
“He really wants to win here and not quit on Jeff. He really wants to build a program here where we can win every year,” said sophomore linebacker General McLain.
The players can also feel the trust their new coach has in them.
“Cotner really helps me to be the best player, he believes in me even though I’m undersized for my position,” said junior center Jacob Fifer.
Cotner wants to be a mainstay at JHS and the local community.
“I’m here to stay. I want to build a real program here. I’ve been to a couple of the middle school practices so they can know who I am. I’ve lived here since 2020, so I really feel like part of a community,” he said.
Even with most doubting the team with Cotner at the helm, the players still have confidence.
“He’s (Cotner) just such a great guy. He really keeps us in check, and I even think with him we could go 9-0 this year,” said junior tight end and defensive end Tristan Newby.
Even in his short tenure as head coach, Cotner has already gained respect from his team.
“He’s really stepped in like a good leader. Everyone has to earn reps, and he often says that small things lead to big things. I think that really helps us stay focused, especially at practice,” said freshman lineman Collin Kenedy.
Cotner still tries to relate to his players to understand what they are going through and how to get them to perform better.
“I think I’m a detail-oriented coach; we hold our players to standards. I think being a young coach – I’m only 36 – they can still see that I’ve played the game, and I feel like they know I care,” said Cotner.
The players don’t have blind confidence in their coach, but also because they’ve seen his success.
“Scottsburg has won sectionals, which we haven’t done. And he’s bringing a winning mentality. Along with giving everyone goals,” said McLain.
Even with all the expectations surrounding the team, Cotner still takes time to reflect on his success.
“Ever since I was 16, I’ve dreamed of being a head coach. So this is truly a dream come true, even if it’s an unconventional way of getting the job, I’m grateful,” said Cotner.
The Red Devils play at Lawrence Central tonight.
Red Devils begin football season with scrimmage against Madison last Friday
All photos by Parker McCloskey.
Hoosier fans anxiously await Monday’s national championship football game
by Brennan Zoeller and Jilliann Denbo
From taking down No. 9 Alabama 38-3, to then embarrassing No. 5 Oregon 56-22, the undefeated 15-0 Hoosiers don’t seem to be slowing down as they head into Monday’s national championship game against Miami (13-2).
On Monday, Indiana hopes to win it all in Miami. Since 1899, the Hoosiers have never won a football national championship and have been among the programs with the most football losses.
Hoosier fans hope that changes Monday night.
“I think they’ve worked harder than anyone else and deserve it. They’re professional when it counts and don’t show mercy, which is why they’re so good,” said sophomore John Steele.
Some are sure Indiana will beat Miami, but others are still nervous only because they are used to losing.
“Miami is obviously a great team, but I think we may be even better. I am still nervous but I think some of those nerves stem from so many years of watching IU football lose. I’ve been conditioned to expect us to lose and I am still trying to remind myself that we have a real possibility to win the national championship,” said Northaven Academic improvement coordinator Kelly Allen, an IU fan.
This national championship game is bringing many long-time fans together to watch their all time favorite team.
“Family had a lot to do with me being an IU fan. But in 1987 I was 15 years old watching Keith Smart hit a last second shot to win the basketball national championship against Syracuse. If you have to pick a moment, that’s when I knew I was a Hoosier,” said IU fan Robert Denbo.
Fans have always been giving a lot to the IU community, doing anything they can to show true support.
“I show my support for my team by sharing stuff on social media and wearing my IU gear. I give to the Alumni Association as well. IU has the largest Alumni Association in the entire nation and it has the most people raising lots of money by going to games and by watching games on TV,” said Northaven principal and Hoosier fan Laura Morris.
While some fans have been cheering from home on their TVs , others have actually been going to the games.
“Seeing the joy on IU fans’ (of all ages) faces as they attend these games has been so exciting. It has been a thrilling time for fans,” Allen said from experience after being to many games.
When Allen says “of all ages,” she means it. Students all the way to teachers and parents have been ecstatic and call it a “miracle.”
“It’s crazy. I went from not even thinking about Indiana when it came to football as a fan, to now about to win a national championship. It’s a miracle,” said sophomore Liam Wooden.
The Hoosiers football team has brought hope to many, and this hope is shown and expressed in different ways, reaching all audiences.
“The way the team works together to accomplish this year’s wins has given me so much hope. Our Heisman (winner Fernando) Mendoza has also been performing better than amazing. Since 1975 I’ve been an IU fan and they’ve never come this far,” said JHS graduate and IU fan Kathleen Brennan.
With the national championship on Monday, Indiana fans are pumped up more than ever, with very high expectations.
“I think Indiana has a pretty good chance of beating Miami in the national championship because the Hoosiers have proven to be a powerhouse with trust in each other throughout the season,” stated Josie Zoeller, 2024 JHS graduate.
No. 1 Indiana (15-0) will play No. 10 Miami (13-2) in the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026:
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- TV/Radio: Broadcast on ESPN. Radio coverage is available through the IU Alumni Association, featuring Don Fischer’s call synced to the telecast.
Kentucky fans react to new football coach
by Sophia Waldridge
After 13 seasons Mark Stoops brought historic stability to Kentucky and led four 10-win campaigns in 2018 and 2021. He also showed the team eight consecutive bowl games and two top-25 finishes. But after too many losing streaks and a 41-0 loss to Louisville on Dec. 1, Kentucky fired him. Will Stein is the new Kentucky coach.
Many Louisville fans are happy because they want real change and challenge. Senior Kaeleb Hayes, who is a die hard Louisville fan, said that Kentucky “needed to do it” and that the team would be “better off without Stoops and the team will get along so much better with the leadership and the stability of Stein.”
But others do not agree with Hayes and think that Stoops should not have been fired. Sophomore Eli Tate, “I think that we will have better prospects but at the same time he was a good coach and I don’t think that this one game should have caused him to be fired.”
Sophomore Cali Smith agreed with Tate and is also a Kentucky fan; she said that the team will have to come up with new critical thinking skills and “learn to adapt with a new coach with different teaching styles.”
Freshman Harper Gordon also said that the Wildcats will have to adapt and thinks that it was a good thing because “Stoops has been a bad coach for three years and gave us a horrible season.” She said the new coach Stein is better for the team because he will push them harder.
Kentucky fans aren’t too happy, but most of them are rallying for the new coach and can’t wait to see how he trains the team differently and if they’ll get any better under different and new leadership.
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.
Columbus East defeats Red Devils 28-9; JHS plays Jennings County this Friday
All photos by Malachi Conrad.
Conrad.
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.
“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.
“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.
JHS celebrates homecoming this past Friday
All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Sophia Goforth, and Isaiah Stewart.
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.
Red Devils travel to Kokomo to compete tonight
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
JHS travels to Bedford-North Lawrence tonight looking for season’s second victory
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