Jags set to put finishing touch on perfect season

The Jackson High School football team has a lot to be thankful for. The Jaguars are loaded with talented players and a coaching staff that has molded those players into one of the best teams to grace the Shore Conference in years.

They own the longest current win streak in the state at 24 games, following Friday night’s 24-13 victory over Southern High School. And the support they receive from the community is contagious.

Yet there is one more item members of this year’s squad would like to have – another state championship title. And the Jaguars will get the opportunity to fulfill that wish this weekend.

Jackson squares off against Cherokee High School in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV championship game 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Rutgers University.

Jackson is the defending Group IV state champion. Last season, the Jaguars defeated Shawnee High School, 21-14, in overtime to capture its first state title in school history.

The Jags enter the contest with a perfect 10-0 regular-season record, which includes their second straight Shore Conference title.

Jackson has met little resistance this season. In addition to owning the longest current win streak in the state, the Jags have won 19 consecutive home games. They are confident they can win another state title.

"If we play the way we are capable of playing, there isn’t a team in the state that can beat us," senior quarterback Nick Anzalone said. "This is the last game the seniors will ever play together. We want to go out and make sure that we play up to our potential."

Cherokee enters the contest with a 9-2 mark. Cherokee upset top-seeded Washington Township to advance to the title game. Shutting down Cherokee’s potent running attack is the key to victory.

Jackson’s defense is probably the best in the state. The Jags have allowed just 91 points this season. They have scored 379 – tops in the Shore Conference.

"They have very good running backs," senior linebacker/tailback Nick Castellano said. "They’re a good team, or they wouldn’t be playing in the state final. We need to make sure to shut down the run. If we can do that and give our offense a chance to score, we should be OK. Defense wins championships."

Castellano is one of the major forces for Jackson’s defense from his linebacker position. But he has done his share on offense as well. Castellano has rushed for more than 1,300 yards and set a new school record for most points in a single season with 126. In addition, he set a record for most touchdowns in a single season with 21.

His partner in the backfield, Joe Serratelli, should be 100 percent for the game. Serratelli, who doubles as a linebacker, is nursing a pulled hamstring.

"They make a very dangerous 1-2 combination," Jackson second-year coach Reggie Lawrence said.

Serratelli ripped off a couple of big runs in the win over Southern only to have them called back because of penalties. But Castellano feels his close friend is ready for battle.

"He looked really good in the Southern game," Castellano said. "I think that his leg is nearly healed. I know him, and if he has to rip that muscle off the bone, he’ll be in there playing in his final high school game."

Castellano, Serratelli, Anzalone and a host of other Jackson players have been playing together since the Pop Warner days. Winning has become a tradition with them. They want that to continue well after they graduate.

"Winning this game is really important to all of us," Castellano said. "Our whole high school careers have been filled with success. I think that we’ve all played a big role in turning the Jackson High School football program around. We’d like nothing better than to leave with another state title."

Castellano says the Jags are loose, heading into the final game. He feels the pressure belongs to Cherokee.

"We’ve been there before," Castellano said. "We know what to expect. We’ve played in the big stadium before. We’ve played in front of the big crowds. These are all things that affect a team. You can say that it won’t affect you, but it can be pretty intense."

Added Anzalone, "I think we have put the pressure behind us. We know what we need to do to win this game. We’ve been here before and have the experience."