by Windham, Ohio – The Windham Bombers overcame a weather delay and monsoon-type conditions to defeat visiting Jackson-Milton, 26-12, at Ed Liddle Field.
Windham did not take long to find the end zone on their first possession, as senior Jack Eye scored from 39 yards out. The ensuing PAT was no good, but the Bombers led 6-0 at the 9:42 mark of the first quarter.
Jackson-Milton marched down the field due to their ground game, as Keegan White rumbled for a pair of first downs. The Blue Jays found themselves knocking on the door of the end zone before play was halted due to lightning in the area.
The game was delayed for 38 minutes before the two teams resumed where they left off, at the 5:10 mark of the first quarter.
Two plays later, Jackson-Milton found the end zone, as Vincent Fay recovered a fumble in the end zone. Keegan White ran it in for the two-point conversion, and the Blue Jays took the lead, 8-6, with 4:51 left in the first.
In the second quarter, Windham was facing fourth-and-long, set to punt the ball away. However, Jack Eye had other plans, finding an opening down the right side for a Bomber first down. The Bombers eventually moved down to the one-yard line looking to take the lead back.
Sophomore Dejuan Ramsey took a sweep to the right side on fourth-and-goal and found paydirt. The ensuing two-point try failed, but Windham took the lead, 12-8, with 2:52 left in the second quarter.
They would keep the lead going into the halftime break.
Jackson-Milton marched down the field looking to take the lead. However, the Windham defense made a goal-line stand, keeping the Blue Jays off the board.
The Bombers continued to move the ball down the field despite the rainy conditions. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Carlos Bruton found the end zone from 21 yards out. This increased their lead to 18-8 ten seconds into the final quarter.
Less than 20 seconds later, the Blue Jays would respond as Vincent Fay rushed for a 44-yard touchdown. The ensuing PAT was blocked by Jack Eye, and the score stood at 18-14 with 11:40 left.
After a Windham punt, Jackson-Milton had the ball with a chance to take the lead. However, they would turn the ball over, and Louden Collins of Windham would recover.
The Bombers capped their drive with a touchdown run from Jack Eye from a yard out. Dylan McCune ran in the ensuing two-point try, and the Bombers bumped their lead to 26-14 with 3:43 left.
Windham came up with one more defensive stop to ice the game.
Windham, now 3-0 for the first time since 2018, hosts Tuscarawas Central Catholic on Friday, September 13th.
Jackson-Milton, now 2-1, hosts Mineral Ridge on Friday, September 13th to open MVAC conference play.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Jack Eye (Windham)
The senior had a pair of rushing touchdowns and a big first-down run on a fake punt in the second quarter. He also pinned Jackson-Milton inside the 20 on a punt in the fourth quarter and had a blocked PAT to boot.
Vincent Fay (Jackson-Milton)
The senior recovered a fumble in the end zone for the Blue Jays in the first quarter and ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Extended highlights below:
