Jackson County Central’s football team learned this week that it will have an additional opportunity to play under the Friday night lights at Swearingen Field this season. Originally the Huskies were only scheduled to play one Friday home game, but that number has doubled.
JCC’s homecoming game vs. LeSueur-Henderson has been moved to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. It had been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21. The Huskies now have two Friday night home games. There’s also a Saturday afternoon game and a Wednesday night contest.
Jackson County Central had an 11-1 record last season, advancing to the semifinals of the state Class 2A playoffs.
LSH was 1-7 in 2023. The Giants won their regular-season finale but then opted out of the Section 3AA playoffs due to low numbers. A new cooperative agreement with Minnesota New Country School in Henderson was expected to bolster numbers this season although it was stated last spring when the coop was approved that many of the newcomers may not be ready for varsity football.
Salute to Service
JCC will be hosting “Salute to Service” Day at its home game vs. Minnesota Valley Lutheran on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
The team and the Jackson County Central School District will salute active service personnel and veterans of the Armed Forces that day.
Veterans and active Armed Forces personnel will receive free admission and will be recognized at the game.
JCC football schedule
Friday, Aug. 30: at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 6: Worthington, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 13: at Blue Earth Area, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 20: Le Sueur-Henderson (homecoming), 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27: at Redwood Valley, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5: Minnesota Valley Lutheran, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10: at Luverne, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16: Pipestone, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct 22: Section 3AA quarterfinals, high seed, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct 26: Section 3AA semifinals, high seed, TBA
Friday, Nov 1: Section 3AA finals at SMSU, TBA
Thursday, Nov 7: State quarterfinals, TBA
Thursday, Nov 14: State semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium, TBA
Friday, Nov 29: Prep Bowl, US Bank Stadium, 1 p.m.
District play
Jackson County Central will again compete in the South Central Silver District during the regular season.
There are five teams in the district:
Jackson County Central
Luverne
Minnesota Valley Lutheran
Pipestone
Redwood Valley
Postseason play
JCC will be in Section 3AA for postseason play.
There are eight teams in the section:
Jackson County Central
Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial
LeSueur-Henderson
Minnesota Valley Lutheran
Pipestone
Redwood Valley
Sibley East
Windom