Breaking the Longest Playoff Drought in Rockford: Jefferson J-Hawks Soar

For the first time in 32 years, the Jefferson J-Hawks have made the IHSA Football Playoffs, and this former J-Hawk couldn't be more proud!

My Time as A J-Hawk

Here's the truth, I loved my time as a student at Jefferson High School. I was involved in many school activities. I was on the Pom Squad. I was in the theater program. I had many friends I loved, and I did well in my classes. Simply put: if I could go back to high school, there’s only one thing I would change: how well our teams performed.

Let me just put it this way: when I was in high school, football season was a miserable time to be a J-Hawk. Our football team was BAD, and I feel really bad saying that because some of my best friends, and my high school boyfriend was on the team, but it's the truth.

It was a good season if we won ONE game. We had to play Boylan three out of the four years for Homecoming because the school thought it would rally students. Newsflash: it didn’t work, and we always lost.

I never knew how exciting it was to have winning school sports teams until my family moved to Pecatonica 4 years ago, but I'm still a proud J-Hawk alum over 25 years later.

But, I'm even more proud today.

Jefferson Makes 2025 IHSA Football Playoffs

It took 32 years, but as of Thursday night (10/23) the Jefferson J-Hawks football team has officially made it to the 2025 IHSA Football Playoffs!

Way to go, Jefferson for finally breaking the longest playoff drought in Rockford history! I'll be watching you fly...hopefully all the way to the finals!