Jayton Jaybirds
Head Coach: Josh Stanaland
Last Season: 15-0; 4-0 in district (Defeated Oakwood in 1A Division II State Title Game)
Jayton Key Players and Storylines
Jayton curb-stomped everyone in its past last year. The Jaybirds won 14 of their 15 games by mercy rule, including a 54-8 win over Oakwood in the 1A Division II Title Game. The only game they didn’t win by mercy rule? A 42-point victory over Klondike in the state semifinals.
This year, watch out for the Jaybirds again. Almost their entire team returns. It all starts with quarterback Sean Stanaland (1,553 passing yards and 35 touchdowns). He took care of the ball too, throwing just one interception on 85 attempts.
Jayton 54, Oakwood 8, final
The Jaybirds execute the mercy rule by halftime to win the Class A Division II championship! Sean Stanaland scored the final TD with this nifty scramble. #txhsfb #UILState @usatodayhss pic.twitter.com/hVbhADpWfU— Jonathan Hull (@Hull_TRN) December 18, 2024
If he’s not letting it fly, Bode Ham (1,645 rushing yards) is probably making things happen with his legs. He had 42 touchdowns on the ground in 2024. Tight end Colt Gentry (571 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns) is a big and reliable target at 6’1″ and 175 pounds.
On the other side of the ball, the Jaybirds did graduate two of their top three tacklers. However, Gentry (125 tackles) is a big threat up front at defensive end, while Ham (110 tackles, six forced fumbles)is a turnover-forcing machine at cornerback. He and Stanaland (109 tackles, six INTs), who plays safety, will be a great safety blanket on the back end.
Last year was Jayton’s third state title in school history. The other two they earned came in back-to-back fashion in 1984 and 1985. This year’s group will hope to repeat that trend with key leaders back on both sides of the ball.
