Jackson Christian's Luke Robertson named Jackson area's Week 2 player of the week
Losses are going to happen, but the Jackson Christian football team wasn't happy with the way it played in the Week 1 loss to Trinity Christian Academy.
So behind 195 yards rushing and two touchdowns by Luke Robertson, the Eagles responded in Week 2 with a 33-6 victory over Halls.
"I think we just came out and played our game," Jackson Christian coach Darby Palmer said. "We came out a little more loose and relaxed. We had a great week of practice, and the guys really responded."
With his power rushing, Robertson has been named the Week 2 player of the week.
"My line helped out a lot," Robertson said. "Everybody was blocking, and they made holes. I ran right through them and took it from there."
In Week 1, Jackson Christian didn't play well in the first half as TCA routed them 54-0. The Eagles could have allowed that loss take over the attitude in practice last week, but it didn't.
"We pulled our captains to the side and told them that that wasn't Jackson Christian football, and that was not how we wanted to represent ourselves on the field," Palmer said. "We challenged the guys this week to win ever day in practice in order to win on Friday night. They bought into that and rallied behind it."
Robertson said that performances was one to get out of their mind quickly.
"It was just a game that we can't take back," Robertson said. "We have to learn from our mistakes and push through it. We had to move on to the next game, and that is what we did."
Robertson has played well in each of the first two weeks of the season to keep the Eagles' offense moving forward.
"Luke is steady for us at running back," Palmer said. "He started last year, but he had a few injuries to his ankle. The guys believe in him, and he has great vision. He is a hard worker and tough to bring down."
But like Robertson admitted, the offensive line had a better showing in Week 2 also to help his rushing yards.
"Our line did a great job picking up their slants and blitzes to open up some holes," Palmer said. "He was able to see a lot of cutback plays, and he hit them."
Now the Eagles prepare for a road trip this Friday night to Nashville for the first region contest of the season against Davidson Academy.
"It is going to raise our team's motivation up," Robertson said of the momentum gained from Friday night's win.. 'We are going to be amped up at practice and ready for the next one."
Other standout performances
• Zach Crawford (Dresden, QB) - Crawford was 6-for-15 passing for 171 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions beat Scotts Hill 27-13. He also rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
• Stone Frost (Riverside, QB) - Frost was 15-of-37 passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' loss to Lexington.
• Viktor Horton (TCA, RB) - Horton ran for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries as the Lions beat Fayette Academy 52-14.
• Joseph Miller (McKenzie, RB) - Miller rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries as the Rebels beat West Carroll 28-0.
Weekly players of the week
Week 1 - Haywood's Decourtney Reed
Week 2 - Jackson Christian's Luke Robertson
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.