WS Chronicle

Earlier this season, the Winston-Salem Jaguars looked like a team on their last leg.  Following their loss to the Carolina Razorbacks in July, the playoffs seemed like a long shot. 

After four straight wins to end the season, the Jags found themselves one game away from the championship game, but fell short 16-6 to the Iredell Warriors last Saturday night, Sept. 9.

The Jaguars play in the Carolina Elite Football Alliance (CEFA).  They came into the game against the Warriors with as much momentum as any team in the league.  They have had questions at the quarterback position since their opening day starter signed a contract overseas but fought through adversity to make it to the semi-final game.

Jaguar wide receiver James Summers says he was a little disappointed with the result of the game but gives all the credit to the Warriors for a game well played.

“To be honest with you, I have to take my hat off to the team for rebounding and making it to the second round,” he said.  “With a one and five start to just go on a four-game winning streak and coach Will Pompey doing it by himself was great.”

“Some of the captains – and there are a lot of guys that I could name but I don’t want to leave anyone out – that all contributed to our success,” Summers continued.  “We finally gelled together and toward the end of the season, we started communicating better, so I am very proud of the guys.”

According to Summers, the Jaguars beat themselves by turning the ball over and having costly penalties that slowed any offensive progress. 

“I cannot take anything away from the Warriors, but we really beat ourselves once again,” Summers said.  “The lack of communication on the offensive end that really made us alter what we wanted going into the game was big.  Our defense played a heck of a game and throughout the season.”

“They really didn’t do anything that took us out of sync; we did that on our own.  They beat us and played a fair game, but we didn’t do what we needed to do to win. They were the better team that day.”

Summers credits the midseason turnaround to a conversation with the head coach and a few of the team leaders.  They discussed the direction of the team and the necessary steps needed to set them in the right direction.  He says following that conversation, the team was all on one accord and played as such.

As a whole, Summers looks at the season as a success.  He says he thinks they did a great job, with the defense playing well all season coupled with the fact their head coach, Will Pompey, was the only member of the coaching staff.

“It was a difficult race, but it was a good season, considering where we started from until now,” he said.  “It was an OK season for me, but I have been chasing this ring for a long time.”

Summers injured his right shoulder during the fourth quarter of the game.  He is possibly contemplating retiring if he cannot come back 100 percent from his injury.  He believes that if they can upgrade a few positions on the team, they can make a run at the championship next season.