Jimtown High School

Jimmy gridders experience rewarding comeback season By Red Williams Freelance Sports Writer ELKHART – Vast improvement spelled some great rewards for Jimtown High School’s football squad this season. Under new coach Cody Vincent, the Jimmies finished with a 7- 4 record, including 4-1 in the inaugural season of the Indiana Northern State Conference, good for a first-place tie with Knox, which inflicted the Jimmies’ only league setback. Three games were especially rewarding for Vincent: “Beating Fairfield showed our capabilities,” he said during an interview in his classroom. “It helped get rid of some frustration after losing our first two games. I think the players grew up some and realized we had something.” Vincent said the shutout of Tippecanoe Valley and victory over Bremen also were rewarding. Vincent said he has no regrets over the season. “Sure, as we look back and reflect, there might have been some things we would do different in the future, but nothing major comes to mind.” Early injuries to Aiden Carithers and Connor Christman hurt Jimtown’s attack, especially on defense. Christman was able to return for the final four games. “We had a talented and productive senior class,” he reported, “and we’re already thinking about who will take over for some of the top spots. We can’t ‘replace’ them, but need to figure out how we will run the team based on the kids we have and their skill sets.” The Jimmies had a potent attack, especially on the ground, rushing for 2,579 yards, more than 230 yards per game. The leading ball-carrier was Ty Zartman, who racked up 1,710 yards in 238 tries for a 7.2 yards average. He was named the most valuable player on offense and scored 15 touchdowns, many of them on long runs. “Zart” also was an outstanding defense back, making 53 solo tackles to lead the team, five of them for a loss, and two interceptions. Senior quarterback Mason Armstrong, taking over leadership of the offense for the first season, was 80 for 145 in passing (58 percent) for 1,161 yards and 12 TDs. He had only five interceptions. Armstrong also gained 222 yards on the ground (6.3 average) for four TDs. He has committed to Olivet Nazarene University to play baseball. He won the award for “most improved” on offense. Javen Jackson also had a great senior season as a wide receiver and defensive back. He had 29 receptions for 459 yards and scored 11 TDs; he had 1,017 all-purpose yards. He electrified the Jimmy crowd by returning two kickoffs and two punts for TDs. Vincent also cited Cole Dutton for his work as a pulling guard and defensive tackle (33 solo tackles, two sacks and five tackles for a loss. He got the MVP award for the defense. Another outstanding lineman was senior Jose Cervantes, Dutton’s mate at guard. “He was a weight-room warrior and great at pulling,” Vincent said.