Zack Jackson, Amherst Regional take on Thanksgiving rival Northampton
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After an injury during his freshman season cost him nearly half his high school career, Amherst Regional senior Zack Jackson has recovered nicely to become one of the best running backs in western Massachusetts.
Heading into the final game against Northampton on Thanksgiving Day, Jackson needs 239 rushing yards for 1,000 on the season. He's amassed 761 yards on 140 carries, an average of 5.4 yards per carry and 84.6 per game and scored 12 touchdowns.
The all-purpose back broke his leg late in his freshman season, causing him to miss his entire sophomore year.
"It's a lot easier playing without the injury concerns," Jackson said. "I was a little timid after the broken leg, but I knew I had to go out and have a good senior year."
Jackson and his fellow upperclassmen lead an Amherst squad that's continued to improve over the last two seasons, including an offensive line that opens holes for the team's runners.
"Knowing I have such good players around me, especially guys who will block, makes my job that much easier," Jackson said. "I don't have to worry as much about taking a big hit and possibly getting hurt."
Jackson played his entire junior season in 2010, piling up close to 1,000 yards from scrimmage, but his coach and father Glenn Jackson said last year was still a bit of a struggle.
"For the first half of last season, he was trying to get his legs back under him, getting over the fear of being injured again," Glenn Jackson said. "Having a broken leg for a year will do that. Toward the end of last year, he played well, and this year it hasn't been an issue.
"His confidence has certainly grown, and if he didn't miss his sophomore year, he'd be an even more dynamic player."
Zack Jackson plans to go for the 1,000-yard milestone today, but only if it comes within the flow of the game.
"That would be pretty big to get to 1,000, but mainly I want to help the team finish the season strong, so the guys for next year can carry that momentum over," Zack Jackson said.
"Our goal from the beginning of the season for Zack was to have 1,000 yards rushing and 500 receiving," said Glenn Jackson. "He wants it, and it's certainly doable. Whether he does it or not, he's had a great season."
Jackson is 89 receiving yards shy of 500.
"I think he still has some more in the tank," said Glenn Jackson. "He has all the tools to excel. His natural ability is outstanding."
On the upswing
With a victory today, the Hurricanes (3-6) will achieve consecutive four-win seasons.
Zack and brother Willie Jackson, who graduated last year, both have had a large part in the program becoming more competitive than when they arrived.
"The most important thing is to improve the program. I don't want Amherst to be a look-by for other teams," Zack Jackson said. "I want us to be a contender and get better every year."
Coach Jackson said the gains made by the recent classes has inspired a new group of players in Amherst.
"We've gotten a lot of younger guys to come out for football, which is a very good thing for the program," he said. "So the program should be solid for a while, and on any given night, we can win games."
Willie Jackson, a star linebacker for Amherst, is currently attending Bridgton Academy in Maine. Zack said that both watching and playing with Willie helped him understand the game better.
"I learned from him to go out and give it your all, even if the team's losing at the time," he said. "Even if other guys give up, not to ever let up in a game."
As far as playing for his father, Zack said it doesn't really affect their relationship much.
"It hasn't really been that much different than having any other coach," he said. "After the games, we'll talk about what we could have done better. But we don't talk too much about football."
All-around player
Jackson has been the primary weapon for the Hurricanes this season, and every defense keys in on his every move when Amherst is in possession.
"It's good to know that if they're focusing on me, that can open up my teammates to make some big plays," he said. "It's beneficial to our team. ... I don't care if I don't pick up as many yards, as long as the team does better."
Even so, Jackson has put up four 100-yard rushing games, including a 217-yard performance against Chicopee Comp. But he passes along the credit to his teammates.
"I just try to go off what the other guys do, particularly my blockers," he said. "They do most of the work, I just look to stay as patient as I can and find the holes. ... I'm kind of in between a speed and a power back."
Coach Jackson feels the multi-faceted nature of his son's game puts him among the best in the area.
"I'd describe him as a very good all-around back," said Glenn Jackson. "Most of the other top rushers in the area don't have many receiving yards. Zack isn't just a running back, he can really catch the ball well."
Senior leadership
As a senior, Zack Jackson has taken well to his role as a team leader, even though his is a low-key style.
"We have some younger guys who like to rev the team up, but I like to go out and show by example," he said. "I try to stay quiet and just do what I do, and hopefully the younger guys take something from my example."
Glenn Jackson said his son is much like he was as a player, but that either style can be effective.
"If something is bothering him, he'll let the other players or the coaches know about it. But he's not a big rah-rah guy, and neither was I when I played. He's much more business-like in getting things done, and isn't the emotionally charged type."
Future plans
Once the Hurricanes' season is over, Zack Jackson will turn his attention to college football. The most serious conversations have been with the University of Albany in the Football Championship Subdivision.
"I've been talking to their coach a little bit, but I've gotten letters from schools all over the country," he said. "But I haven't done a lot of college stuff yet. I want to wait until the season is over, focusing right now on finishing the year strong."
Glenn Jackson said any number of Division 2 or 3 schools would be solid destinations.
"Realistically, you have to look at what the ultimate goal is," Glenn Jackson said. "He could probably make the squad of some of these bigger programs, but maybe sit for four years. You want to go somewhere and get a chance to play and enjoy a good college experience."
If he can find the right situation, Zack could be just the kind of back that a college squad is looking for, said his father.
"Colleges want to see the ability to pick up blitzes, catch the ball out of the backfield, run through tackles and get to the outside," Glenn Jackson said. "He can do all of that."
As for Glenn, he plans to coach the Hurricanes at least through 2012.
"I'll be back next season, because I want to come back for the senior seasons of guys like Justin Carey, Charlie Clark, Kieran Presley," he said. "I have a history with those guys. I enjoy the kids, the other coaches and it'll keep me busy."
But having coached at least one of his sons since the third grade, next season on the sidelines will be a different experience.
"In some ways, it will be easier, but I'll miss spending this time with my boys," said Glenn Jackson. "Dealing with your kids as father and coach, the line blurs at times, but we've made it work. I wouldn't have had it any other way, and I think both of them appreciate it."
