By ADAM KROEMER
NAPPANEE, Ind — There weren’t many opportunities, but the Jimtown Jimmies made the best of theirs.
Jimtown converted a long kickoff return and a fumble into touchdowns in the second half, and the defense did the rest of the work, as Jimtown squeaked out a 16-7 win Friday over NorthWood to capture the sectional championship.
After years of being a strong Class 2A program, Jimtown won the first 3A title in school history. Jimtown (11-1) will host Gary Andrean for the regional title Friday. The Panthers finished the season 7-5.
“They outplayed us tonight,” said NorthWood coach Scott Hoover. “That wasn¹t our best effort, and they were definitely the better team.”
Jimtown held a slim 3-0 lead at halftime, as the two defenses controlled the game. But Jimtown freshman Devan Emerson returned the second-half kickoff to the Panther 35 to quickly give the Jimmies momentum. Nine plays later, Andrew Zeiger took a pitch wide and outraced the defense for an eight-yard touchdown and a 10-0 Jimtown lead.
NorthWood’s Derek Yoder gave the Panthers hope late in the third quarter with an interception on the Panther 44. The Panthers went on a 12-play drive, but were stopped short of the goal line, and a field goal attempt was missed.
After a short Jimtown punt, NorthWood finally got on the board when Brant Nine rolled left and found fullback Tony Miranda alone in the corner of the endzone for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Connor Beckwith’s extra point cut the difference to 10-7.
After the NorthWood defense forced a Jimtown punt, it appeared that the Panthers would have one final opportunity to tie or win the game. But Jimtown recovered a fumble on the punt, and Jimmie quarterback Brian Hosinski sneaked around the left side unnoticed for a 24-yard touchdown run to seal the game.
Fifteen seniors played their final game for the Panthers on Friday.
“The seniors had a great year, and they were a good group of kids,” Hoover said. “They went through a lot this year, but they kept fighting.”
