Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — When the ball is near Jaxon Zickafoose, special things tend to happen.
Unioto’s do-it-all junior has spent the fall season being a difference-maker on both sides of the football, helping his team go 9-1, win their second straight Gold Ball and clinch a playoff berth.
He’s been right at the center of that storm.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without God. He has done amazing things in my life and has blessed me with countless opportunities,” Zickafoose said. “But it’s been awesome getting to go out there every Friday night and get to represent a school with as much determination as we have. It was definitely a little harder at the beginning of the season after deciding not to play last year. But I just continue to work hard and do what I can to help my team be as successful as they are”
Through 10 games, Zickafoose has caught 28 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns while adding in a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Defensively, he’s been in the mix as well, tallying 21 tackles, two interceptions, six pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.
“I feel like my best on-field trait is my speed and ability to just fly around,” Zickafoose said. “Being one of the smaller guys on the field has always been a thing I’ve had to deal with growing up. So I’ve always relied on my speed for play-making and to always be there on a play. Every week I try to bring my all to the team and continue to work hard. I just continue to go out with a mindset that nobody can stop me and I’m going to make a play when it comes to it.”
When he’s not on the football field, he’s studying to better his future.
Zickafoose attends Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center and takes outdoor power and small engine classes.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“I chose to go to Pickaway-Ross to help get a jumpstart on my career and my life after school,” Zickafoose said. “I still want to go to college and play baseball when I graduate, but it’s just a great opportunity to be able to go find out what you love and go get to do it in high school.”
“If someone came up to me and asked me the benefits of going to Pickaway-Ross, I would tell them that you get to go get a head start on your career after school,” he added. “You get to go learn a trade of your choice and it’s just a great opportunity.”
After Unioto won its first Gold Ball since 1981 last fall, they repeated the feat last week. It marked the first time the Shermans have ever polished off undefeated seasons.
On their way to this year’s SVC title, the offense has posted 33.5 points per game while allowing just 8.9.
“What makes this year’s team so special is I feel like we have a strong connection with one another, from seniors to freshmen,” Zickafoose said. “Everyone is close with one another and I feel like this year’s team has that mindset that we are going to win. We won’t take a loss for an answer and we know when to lock in. In the locker rooms, before each and every game, it’s so intense. We go into every game knowing we have God standing right beside us through every battle we face and we know that no matter what happens, it’s all a part of His plan.”
The next part of the plan comes on Friday, when Unioto will meet with Millersburg West Holmes in the first round of the Division IV playoffs.
It’s the Shermans’ third consecutive playoff berth. But in each of the past two years, things haven’t gone as expected.
In 2022, they suffered a 38-0 loss to Clinton-Massie. And last season, they fell to Urbana, 56-21.
Zickafoose, however, believes this is the year that Unioto’s fortune changes and he’ll assuredly play a significant part in making it happen.
“I feel like our team can make a playoff run because the past few years, I feel that what we have struggled with in the playoffs is our pass defense and getting beat deep,” Zickafoose said. “Our secondary this year is much more disciplined and we have done an amazing job with the pass game. This team is just amazing, I love each and every kid on this team and we are so dialed in each game week at every practice. Then, when Friday comes and we run out onto that field, we know what we are playing for.”
SPONSORED BY PICKAWAY-ROSS ADULT EDUCATION
