Amelunke among 15 Jackson football seniors recognized

Defensive lineman Cole Amelunke (54) stands with his position coach Brandon Norman, January 7, 2020.

Jeff Long ~ jlong@semoball.com

Jackson’s Cole Amelunke is a standout in two sports and he’ll let a scholarship decide which one he plays in college.

Amelunke, the Indians’ only four-year football letterman and a cornerstone of Jackson’s Class 5 runnerup squad, was among the 15 seniors honored at Tuesday’s annual gridiron banquet at the Knights of Columbus hall.

Amelunke, who started three years on the defensive line for the Tribe, is first team all-conference, all-region and all-district and is second team all-state.

His position coach, Brandon Norman, says the 5-foot-11 Amelunke is versatile.

“(Cole) can play all the positions on the defensive line,” said Norman, “and play them very well.”

Amelunke is also a standout wrestler and trimmed down from 215 pounds during football season to make his current mat weight of 182.

“I started out in Optimist wrestling,” said Amelunke, “and was told wrestling will help me with football.”

Amelunke plans to major in electrical engineering and he will be a student-athlete at the next level.

“I never decided which (sport) I like best,” Amelunke said.

Amelunke was voted “most inspirational player” by his varsity teammates.

He had 58 tackles for Jackson in 2019 and was second on the team in sacks with four.

An unsung senior

Isaiah Cougill (51) stands with his position coach Darron Bardot, January 7, 2020. Jeff Long ~ jlong@semoball.com

Isaiah Cougill broke his collarbone last summer and didn’t start for the Tribe this season.

The senior saw time on defense in the second half of contests – usually once the game was well in hand.

Cougill says the experience of being an Eagle Scout, earned at age 15, helped with playing football.

“In Eagle (scouting),” Cougill said, “you have to ask for help and take the project seriously.”

Cougill rebuilt a well in Jackson’s rock garden to claim a recognition just one percent of all scouts earn.

“Both Eagle and football take dedication,” Cougill – a member of the team’s leadership council – said.

“The two went hand-in-hand (for me),” he added.

Eckley’s thoughts

Jackson head coach Brent Eckley speaks to attendees at Tuesday's annual Jackson football banquet, January 7, 2020. Jeff Long ~ jlong@semoball.com

Coach Brent Eckley said the season was notable for more than finishing second in Class 5.

“It’s my 20th year as a head coach,” said Eckley, “and this is the most all-state (players) I’ve had.”

Three Indians finished first-team all state: quarterback Cael Welker, offensive lineman Connor Tollison and linebacker Bryce Norman. Four were named to the second team – Amelunke, running back Seth Waters, plus sack leader Randol McDowell and offensive lineman Ashton Flinn. Rhet Liley, tight end, was named to the third team.

Four Indians received academic all-state recognition – Liley, Logan Bruns, Braiden Waggener and Caleb Craft.

Eckley said the academic honor is particularly difficult to obtain because a player must achieve at least two of the following three requirements – must finish with a grade-point average of at least 3.5 (4.0 scale), must have at least a 25 on the ACT and must be in the upper 10 percent of his class.

Notable recognitions

The team voted junior Cael Welker as overall most valuable player with senior Connor Tollison named outstanding lineman and Seth Waters chosen as outstanding skill player.

Senior Markiese Jones, who often led the Indians onto the field waving high the school banner, was chosen as the Tribe’s “most enjoyable teammate.”

A fitting musical tribute

As those in attendance ate dinner, a Johnny Cash song played on the hall’s loudspeaker. The lyrics were appropriate for the moment and for the crowd.

“Yeah, I’m going to Jackson. Look out Jackson town.”