Jimtown Jimmies will leave it all on the field against undefeated Knox in sectionals rematch

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- This Friday marks another week of high school football in Michiana.     

It's week one of postseason play for the Hoosier teams, so a loss Friday night means it's the end of the season. 

This week's Game of the Week takes us to the 3A Sectional bracket; it's a rematch between the undefeated Knox Redskins and the 2-7 Jimtown Jimmies.

Jimtown Head Coach Cody Vincent says they're feeling better prepared to take on Knox this time around.

"We've improved so much over the last few weeks and we're really playing more as a team," says Vincent.

This week the Jimmies are coming off what Vincent calls a 'culture win' following a victory last Friday night against a tough Lakeland team. 

Vincent says it gave his team the extra motivation they needed to face the undefeated Knox Redskins once again in the first round of sectionals. 

"Honestly, that's who we were hoping for because we know if we're going to get through this sectional, then it's got to go through Knox," explains Vincent. "Knox is a great team, great program, great coach, we got a lot of respect for them, and we're excited to have them here in Baugo this week."

"I think we pulled the matchup that we really wanted to; we kind of have that chip on our shoulder, and I'm excited," says senior wide receiver and corner Jack Kite.

When the Jimmies traveled to Knox back in Week Seven, it ended in a 56-13 loss. 

The Jimmies missed out on two chances in the red zone, got sacked twice, and allowed two interceptions.

"We feel like we left a lot out on the field last time in terms of like, missing some opportunities in several different phases of the game," Vincent says, "We know we have to make those plays in practice this week if we want to make the plays on Friday to win the game."

The defense is working especially hard in practice this week, making necessary improvements to better stop Knox's #2 Myles McLaughlin, the nation's leading rusher.  

He finished with 362 rushing yards in their last meet up.

"A lot of film, changed some notes, but I think we're sound and solid," says Kite.

Senior players like Kite know it's about more than just getting through another week at this point in the season. 

He says it's a bittersweet feeling knowing he could walk off Knepp Field for the final time Friday night.  

"I thought about this yesterday, just driving around town like you can see the Jimtown Football stickers on people's cars, it gets me going. I love it," Kite says.

Vincent says the Jimmies plan to leave it all out on the field and leave trust in his team that they'll fight as hard as they can to stay alive in the post season. 

"It means more on Friday nights when it's 'win or go home.' They know that time's getting short and we've got to make it happen now, put it all together on the field, or we pack it up," says Vincent.

It's been a while since Jimtown had a long postseason run.

The last time the Jimmies made a state appearance was 20 years ago when they won it all in 2005 under Coach Bill Sharpe.  

After that, the Jimmies made it to regionals in 2014 but haven't made it past sectionals since.