Pictured is a replica of the Eastern High School football team uniform worn by players in Friday’s Honor Game against Wirt County in Reedsville. (Photo provided)
REEDSVILLE – Jason Jackson, entering his third year as head coach of the Eastern High School football team, and his staff are excited to start a new tradition: the Honor Game, scheduled for Friday night when Wirt County takes over East Shade River Stadium.
The goal was to bring the history of the football program to life, not just to be printed in the game program. Suffice it to say, everyone is excited for the first home game.
“They are excited about it,” said Jackson, whose team is 1-0 after winning the opening game in River Valley.
“There are a lot of old hands involved and in the last few weeks they have called me, registered and were very excited.
“I met one the other day. He came out onto the field and talked to me. He was about 88. It was so wild. He was 17 again. He got really excited when he told me about his time as a player. He felt like he was back 60 years. It was like he was a whole new guy.”
The goal for the inaugural year was to make the Honor Game a big and special event.
“History is particularly close to my heart,” Jackson admitted: “I have always said that the people before you paved the way and laid the foundation for what we do today.”
“We decided to honor the oldest generation. These people are over 80. We wanted to try to bring together some of those early years.”
Eastern football players from 1955 to 1960 as well as the undefeated teams from 1971 (9-0) and 1981 (10-0) were invited to the first Honor Game.
“We thought this screamed tradition. The only two undefeated teams in history, and you can bring them back together,” added Jackson.
“That’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to put these guys back together with the older generation and the two undefeated teams.”
Jackson added: “Many of them are coming back. At 5 p.m. we have a meet and greet. It lasts about an hour and the school provides them with food and drinks.”
“We’ll bring them out onto the field with the guys as they warm up and it’ll be pretty special. We’ll have them down there during the coin toss and there’ll be a little presentation from each team.”
Another aspect of the event will be the use of retro jerseys, which we owe to Zide.
“We are pretty excited about it,” said the coach. “The guys are excited and the community is excited. It really creates excitement.”
“A guy called us and said he would like to add to the festivities and have a fireworks display. I think you can do whatever you want.”
Jackson said the fireworks will take place “during the run-out. We’ve had all this dry weather and our fire departments there in Chester and Tuppers Plains met on Sunday afternoon to do their drills and help water the field.
“Our volunteer fire departments are standing behind us and making everything right. And our school and community have come together to honor these guys.”
In addition, all former players being honored will complete the Eagle Walk with the team at 6:50 p.m.
Eastern was a merger of the former Olive-Orange, Chester and Riverview high schools.
“Honoring the history and tradition of the program is a really big piece of the puzzle,” Jackson emphasized: “I just want to make these guys proud. I want them to be proud of the guys, and they are.”
“We constantly hear how proud they are of their style of football and their achievements. Their physical presence with the boys will be a big deal.”
Contact Jay Bennett at [email protected]
