The 2023 football campaign came to an end for the Jackets at the hands of the 11-0 Southwind Jaguars in South Memphis..
The first round exit marks the first of such in the Wilson era and the First for the Springfield program since 2011. As the Yellow Jackets head ball coach Dustin Wilson ends his 12th season back at his alma mater, the 2023 season answered a lot of questions that were looming in late July and left the Jacket faithful with more expectation for the 2024 season.
Back in August I said “I believe the 2023 version of the Jackets won't be what we've grown accustomed to over the past 5 seasons, but I do believe Clarence Cobbins will have his way at times and look like the best player on the field regardless the opponent, and we’ll discover some great young players on this team while working through some growing pains.
The Jackets will look to replace 4 starting offensive lineman 3 being 2022 All - Region selections and a host of other key position players while working to stay afloat in the hardest region Jackets fans have seen since the 1986 campaign.
You weigh in all those factors and also add the change on the offensive side of the ball with first year offensive coordinator Kasey Smith and growing pains are expected.
The new Smith offense looked very sharp in last week's Jamboree, led by Jr QB Parker Betts the Jackets starting offense went 70 yards in 5 plays to score on the 6A Rossview Hawks.
The Jackets also have the luxury of returning 12 year defensive mastermind Drew Wilson and as always the Jackets will play fast swarming defense while of course running the football.
Not to toot my own horn…. but I believe I was spot on with my prediction of the 2023 Springfield Yellow Jackets.
The Jackets ended the 2023 season 4-7. And honestly, I believe that's not too shabby.
After losing 16 seniors, the Jackets headed into the 2023 season with no idea of what to expect with new pieces all over the board, a new OC and a new very tough region.
Week 1 when the Jackets welcomed the Bobcats of Greenbrier into The Nest, the Jackets had 6+ new starters on each side of the ball and special team guys who had never played a varsity football game. The Jackets beat the Bobcats 20 - 10. The victory secured the 10th straight victory over the bobcats.
Week 2 The Jackets played the inaugural Battle for The Bridge game vs Clarksville in a game that saw Clarksville dominate the line of scrimmage. Clarksville went on to have a 10-1 season with a bizarre round 1 exit of the 6A playoffs.
Week 3 saw The Jackets travel to Paris, TN where the now 11-1 Patriots flexed their muscles with Mr. Football semifinalist Caden Marshall and company. The Patriots are 11-1 and are home in the 3rd round of the 2023 playoffs.
Week 4 on MYTV30 the brand shined the brightest, with the Jackets getting the homecoming win over Station Camp in The Clarence Cobbins game. Cobbins showed everyone packed into The Nest and at home watching, that he was him! The Jackets also celebrated the 1993 title team.
Week 5 the Jackets traveled to there old stomping grounds of Franklin, TN Jackets and Admirals were region foes in 80’s were they faced not Franklin high, but the Centennial Cougars who showed off their dominating air attack which featured another 5A Mr. Football semifinalist in Dominic Reed. Centennial is currently 10-2 and are on the road in the 3rd round of the 2023 5A playoffs.
Week 6 saw the Jackets put together their most complete game of the 2023 season with a win @ Portland. The Jackets could do no wrong, with several highlight plays from Cobbins and several takeaways defensively.
Week 7 saw the Jackets turn the ball over 5 times and drop a hard fought battle to region opponent Hendersonville. Hendersonville season ended @ Henry County in round 2 of the 2023 5A playoffs.
Week 8 the Jackets traveled to Hunters Lane on a cool rainy homecoming night in Goodlettsville. The Jackets came out very slow on the rainy Thursday night, but the Jackets managed to secure the 14 - 7 win and secure a playoff spot for the 10th consecutive season.
Week 9 the Gallatin greenwave came into The Nest and we got an old fashion Springfield vs Gallatin matchup. The Jackets defense dominated the entire game and created several turnovers. But in the 4th quarter Gallatin hit home on 2 screen passes to secure the 17-7 win in The Nest.
Week 10 we celebrated senior night as the Jackets welcomed the Bucs of Beech into The Nest. The Jackets' 10 football seniors and all fall sports seniors were recognized before kickoff. The Jackets came out hot, but in the second half just couldn't stop the Beech rushing attack. The Jackets dropped senior night 24-10.
Round 1 of the 2023 5A playoffs sent the Jackets to south Memphis to visit the 10-0 Southwind Jaguars featuring 5A Mr. Football semi finalist Kevin Perkins. The Jackets shot themselves in the foot early with 4 first half turnovers and that was all she wrote. The Jaguars steam rolled the Jackets 62-0 to bring an end to the 2023 campaign.
The 2023 version of the Springfield Yellow Jackets was on that struggled but showed glimpses of greatness, at one point of the season the Jackets had 3 sophomores starting on the OL with 2 sophomore running backs getting all the carries.
One of the biggest questions heading into this season was who would replace Crenshaw and Joe Woodard, Parker Betts had an up and down season while leading the Jackets offense and we even saw glimpses of the big arm freshman Kason Woodson.
Hayden Reynolds (40) and Josh Lee (51) stepped right into the starting linebacker roles and flourished, while Duru Smith (74) showed that he will be a force to reckon with next season. All 3 return in 2024.
The Jackets will graduate play maker Clarence Cobbins (24), but will look to Jabralion Ellis (28) and Cam Cobbins (82) to fill that void.
The Jackets will be returning a great amount of its core over the next 2 seasons and Jackets fans should be excited!
As I said many times during this season, the Jackets' opponents had better have all their fun beating up these young Jackets this season. Because in the next 2 years, this Jackets team will be tough to beat.
Terrence Summers / Social Dweebs Sports
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