For the sixth time in its 26 seasons, the Jackson County Central football team has started the season with a 6-0 record.
The Huskies defeated Redwood Valley 35-0 last Saturday to start the season 5-0 for the eighth time in school history. Win number six has come in the form of a forfeit of Friday’s scheduled game at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial.
According to a story by Chad Courrier in the Mankato Free Press, the Knights have five starters who play both ways injured.
According to an email from Supt. Mark Westerburg, LCWM is protecting the health and safety of the players and won’t put younger players in a position they’re not prepared for.
He hopes that LCWM will field a team for the final two regular-season games and any playoff games.
According to the roster listed on the Minnesota State High School League website, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial has 26 players on its roster in grades 9-12, of which 15 are sophomores and freshmen. There are eight seniors, three juniors, seven sophomores and eight freshmen.
By comparison, Jackson County Central has 46 players listed on its roster, 13 seniors, seven juniors, 20 sophomores and five freshmen.
The forfeit gives JCC a couple of extra days to prepare for Pipestone, which visits Swearingen Field for a 7 p.m. game on Friday, Oct. 14.
The Arrows are 5-0 as they host Luverne in the Battle Axe game Friday.
JCC football schedule
Thurs., Sept. 1 – at Maple River, W 30-27
Fri., Sept. 9 – at Luverne, W 24-0
Fri., Sept. 16 - Blue Earth Area, W 34-26
Fri., Sept. 23 – at Windom, W 48-6
Sat., Oct. 1 - Redwood Valley, W 35-0
Fri., Oct. 7 – at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, W 2-0 (forfeit)
Fri., Oct. 14 - Pipestone, 7 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 19 - St. Peter, 7 p.m.
Series highlights
Series: Jackson County Central leads 4-0
Regular season: Jackson County Central leads 4-0
Postseason: Have not met
Scores
All-time scores in the JCC-LCWM series.
2017 - Jackson County Central 36, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 0
2018 - Jackson County Central 56, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 7
2021 - Jackson County Central 34, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 8
2022 - Jackson County Central 2, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial 0 (forfeit)
Section 3AA QRF standings
Listed are team, won-loss record and QRF number.
Jackson County Central (5-0) 60.4
Pipestone Area (5-0) 42.3
Minnesota Valley Lutheran (4-1) 35.3
Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (1-4) 18.1
Redwood Valley (0-5) 11.0
Sibley East (0-5) 9.2
Windom Area (0-5) 8.1
St. James Area (0-5) 6.2
If the playoffs started today
St. James Area (8) at Jackson County Central (1)
Redwood Valley (5) at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (4)
Windom Area (7) at Pipestone Area (2)
Sibley East (6) at Minnesota Valley Lutheran (3)
State QRF standings
Top 15
Listed are team, won-loss record and QRF number.
1. Minneapolis North (5-0) 83.7
2. Concordia Academy (5-0) 70.9
3. St. Agnes (4-1) 65.1
4. Barnesville (5-0) 63.9
5. Chatfield (5-0) 62.0
6. Eden Valley-Watkins (5-0) 61.9
7. Jackson County Central (5-0) 60.4
8. Caledonia (5-0) 55.3
9. St. Clair/Loyola (5-0) 47.9
10. Rush City (5-0) 45.8
11. Royalton (4-1) 42.6
12. Pipestone Area (5-0) 42.3
13. Maple River (4-1) 42.2
14. West Central Area/Ashby (4-1) 41.5
15. Pelican Rapids (4-1) 40.9