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For the first time in 21 years, the Aurora Houn Dawgs won a conference championship in football.
They’re 7-2 regular season record was enough to give them the #1 seed in their district, a big thanks to their senior class led by Ian Jackson.
The group of seniors at Aurora are no strangers to adversity.
“Went through a 2-8 season and then a 1-9 season. That was tough to take,” said Aurora Head Football Coach Craig Weldy.
Perhaps no other Houn Dawg suffered more than Ian Jackson. The senior fullback and linebacker sat out most of those two previous seasons.
“My sophomore year I tore my ACL off the bone, and that put me out for the whole season. I had to go through therapy and all of that, but I was ready to play the next year. Then last year, I had done some stuff on my ankle,” Jackson said.
Those two seasons on the sidelines made Jackson love the game even more as he entered his senior season healthy.
“It feels great not having to sit out and watch everyone else play. Being out for that long and watching everyone else play, it hurts you on the inside, but it motivates you just that much more,” the Aurora Senior added.
So far this season Jackson has put the Houn Dawgs on his back with 1,200 yards rushing adding 13 touchdowns and 67 tackles.
His breakout game came against Reeds Spring, where he had 280 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
“What makes Ian so special is what he’s battled himself through and the young man he’s become because of the adversity he’s faced. To get to see him have this success, to get to see him play a full football season without being banged up or out all together is just a special thing to get to be a part of and get to witness,” said Weldy.
Jackson earned 1st-team, All-Big 8 East honors at both running back and linebacker.
“He has knowledge, he’s a knowledgeable football player and he understands the game,” Weldy added.
Accolades and titles aside, Jackson is soaking up his final season in a Houn Dawgs jersey.
“My goal was just to have fun, this is my last year at the high school level, hopefully I get to go on to college ball but this is really just having fun,” Jackson said.
