Jackson stands in way of Conch playoff berth
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A state playoff berth will be on the line for the Key West High School football team when it plays Jackson at 7:30 Friday night in Miami.
Both teams are 1-1 in District 16-3A. The winner will clinch second place behind Booker T. Washington and receive an automatic bid to the playoffs -- where the Conchs haven't been since 2004.
The game, which will be broadcast on WKWF 1600-AM, will be only the third on the road for the Conchs (5-2 overall) and their first away from Monroe County. They previously won at Coral Shores and at Marathon.
"This is it -- I hope we take that into consideration," coach Jerry Hughes said. "But with Key West kids, once they get past the Stock Island bridge, you don't know what you're going to get."
Hughes considers Jackson comparable to Booker T., the top-ranked 3A team in the state. Jackson lost, 16-8, to the Tornadoes, who defeated the Conchs, 38-7.
"They have a lot of size and speed," Hughes said of the Generals, whom he watched defeat Ferguson, 24-11, last Friday night. "And they platoon -- that's always a detriment to us."
Jackson (6-2 overall) is averaging 27 points a game and giving up an average of 16.5. But the Generals have allowed 26 or more points in three games. The Conchs are outscoring opponents by an average of 22.4 to 15.
"We can't make any mistakes, and we can't give up the big plays," Hughes said.
Jackson is capable of big plays -- Deandre Jasper had two long kickoff returns against Ferguson and also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Demetrius Whitehead. The Generals also have an array of fast backs.
The Conchs, who were idle last Friday, will test Jackson with a versatile offense engineered by senior quarterback Stephen Jones, who has set two school passing records this season and is also a running threat.
His top receivers are Clive Georges and Phillip Young, both of whom have the speed to get behind a secondary. Another big game will be required from Michel Sohi, who rushed for 225 yards on Oct. 23 against Edison.
Key West will conclude the regular season Nov. 13 with a homecoming game against Ferguson.
