By todd traub
Leader sports editor
The good news is Jacksonville is in the playoffs.
The bad news is the Red Devils aren’t certain when they will play.
Marion beat Jacksonville 28-18 at Marion on Friday to take the No. 2 seed from the 7A/6A-East Conference. The loss cost the Red Devils a first-round bye, but they are still assured of an opening round home game.
The catch is the outcome of Van Buren’s lawsuit filed against the Arkansas Activities Association in Crawford County over inconsistencies with the new conference classifications this year and the power rankings that helped determine playoff seeding.
A decision is expected Monday morning and Jacksonville coach Rick Russell pointed out the playoffs could be delayed and teams like the Red Devils could have their seeding affected depending on how the suit is settled and the reactions of other 6A schools respond.
It also means Jacksonville must prepare for more than one team in the first round.
“That’s what we we’ll do,” Russell said. “If we get the fourth seed we’ll have Benton if Van Buren wins their lawsuit. We’ll get films from Benton and we’ll get film from Sheridan.”
But at least Jacksonville did enough this year to take care of its end of things. While losing to Marion and West Memphis to close out the season the Red Devils (6-4, 4-3) drastically improved on last year’s two victories.
“I think it’s a tremendous advantage,” Russell said of the home playoff. “You always like playing at home. The fans get to stay right there and watch us play.
“It’s kind of like a reward for the kids. They took care of business the first weeks of conference. We played some tough opponents the last two weeks.”
That would include Marion, which never trailed Friday and jumped to a 21-6 lead before having to hold off the Red Devils.
Jacksonville scored the game’s last two touchdowns, with the final score coming on a pass from Logan Perry to D’Vone McClure.
The Red Devils were stopped short on their try for the two-point conversion and Marion then recovered Jacksonville’s onside kick and got the first down needed to run out the clock.
Marion led 7-0 when Jacksonville had a promising drive end in a fumble then had to punt twice. Jacksonville was driving with a two minutes to go in the half but the possession ended this time on an interception.
Perry hit Fletcher Berkley on a touchdown pass of close to 30 yards to open the second-half scoring but the Red Devils missed the extra point to leave it 14-6.
Marion drove for another score and the 21-6 lead before Jacksonville began its comeback in earnest.
Perry hit Aaron Smith with a 35-yard scoring pass but again the extra-point attempt failed to leave the score 21-12.
The teams swapped punt and then Marion drove for its final touchdown and the 28-12 lead.
Jacksonville came back with Perry’s final touchdown pass to McClure.
“We’d like to have two of those four losses back and one of them is tonight,” Russell said of Jacksonville’s run through the season. “We’re a good football team. We have made some strides this year.”
But, Russell said, the Red Devils still have plenty to accomplish, like advancing through the playoffs to the Dec. 4 final at War Memorial Stadium.
“We’re ready to regroup and focus on the postseason,” Russell said.
Friday’s loss proved Jacksonville still has plenty of improving to do, Russell said.
“We’ve got to be focused in practice,” he said.
