"JG Effect" In Full Force Tonight
By Deon Cash
Jerrold Gilbert, one of the most influential coaches in the last decade in Dayton Public Schools district, passed away in the last year.
While he has been mourned by many and toasted by others, somewhere in heaven he has to be smiling, as the Meadowdale Lions battle for City League supremacy (6pmET).
Meanwhile, down the street, one of his students will be making his first start on his home field for the Cincinnati Bengals tonight vs the Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Thursday Night Lights 8:15pmET).
Gilbert was one of the coaches that really helped make the vaunted coaching staff that was at Belmont (now at Meadowdale) really change the energy of the Bison program.
But due to health issues, "Coach Gil" or "JG" as he was affectionately known as, wasn't able to make it to the Lions program with the rest of the staff.
However his legacy is in full effect as Jackson Carman, the beast of a offensive lineman who was the 2nd round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, continues to live in Coach Gil's name.
Carman would tell Meadowdale assistant coach Doug Spears, "I do this for JG" before starting his first game up in Pittsburgh last week.
While pundits and naysayers were talking after a month about how he could be a bust, and should have picked Penei Sewell with the 1st round pick, the Bengals went a different direction and didn't rush Carman, fully understanding what they had in their hands.
Instead of rushing him, they switched him to a whole new position and let him get accustomed to it, all along while healing from a few minor injuries sustained in college.
But since he has been in camp, there is no doubt that Carman will be a anchor in the long run. And in his 1st start against the Steelers, he allowed 0 sacks or any real pressures as the Bengals did something no offensive line had done to the Steelers in over 70 games - not give up a sack.
So, Carman will start again tonight against a guy he protected his whole college career in Trevor Lawrence. Think Lawrence would love to have him protecting him right now? Im sure he and Ohio State legend Urban Meyer would open that with welcome arms.
Now back to Meadowdale.
The Lions were moribound before this season. Hadn't been relevant for decades. And in a half of a season, Earl White and the super staff that has already transformed 2 organizations in its tenure (Thurgood and Belmont), is now literally doing it again, as the Lions face the Wolverines in a huge battle that will go a long way to deciding the City League Championship and a OHSAA playoff berth.
The Wolverines have talent in Senior QB Nate Roberts, WR Darian Leslie. 2 way stud Lamar Payton and others, and are led by a good coach and staff in James Jacking.
But can they stop a Lions team who has taken the knowledge of a elite coaching staff, the energy of Coach Gil, and with a surprising group of real talented players such as dual threat QB Charles Sumlin Jr and dynamic WR-RB James Peebles leading the Lions resurrection?
Somewhere JG is barking quotes, staying hype and enjoying the fruits of his labor.
Lets get ready for some football shall we?
Long Live JG.
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