crabman
11-14-2008, 09:15 AM
Nice article. Notice the difference between Trent's number of carries and Robert Straits number of carries.
Cuero RB has plenty of speed to burn
Jackson nearing rushing mark for Gobbler freshman
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BY MIKE FORMAN - MFORMAN@VICAD.COM
November 13, 2008 - 11:33 p.m.
CUERO - Mark Reeve had never started a freshman at running back in his 18 years as a head football coach. But Reeve had never coached a freshman running back like Trent Jackson.
Jackson became a starter in Cuero's District 28-3A opener against Yoakum and he has erased any doubt about his ability to play on the varsity level by rushing 84 times for a district-leading 1,209 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Jackson helped lead the No. 8 Gobblers (8-1) to their sixth straight undefeated district championship and into the Division I bi-district playoffs against Somerset (7-3) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Farris Stadium in San Antonio.
"We felt like we wanted to look at him," Reeve said.
"He's got a lot of confidence. He's never really acted like a freshman."
Jackson doesn't run like a freshman. He is not only a breakaway threat, but he rarely loses yardage or fumbles.
"He takes care of the football, he's got great vision, he hits the hole really well and it seems like he's always moving forward," Reeve said. "The other thing he does is he makes a lot of yards after contact. He keeps his legs moving. He keeps a low center of gravity and keeps his pads down."
Jackson knew making the varsity as a freshman would be a big step. But Jackson had faith in his ability and was willing to put in the hard work necessary to achieve his goal.
"Coach Reeve told me if I stayed in the weight room I'd have a chance," Jackson said. "He told me just to work real hard. I worked hard in the summer and lifted weights every day. I knew everything was going to be more difficult on varsity. I really didn't know anything about what to expect. I just tried."
Jackson gives much of the credit for his success to the offensive line, which has allowed Cuero to average over 250 yards of rushing per game.
"I think they really like blocking for Trent," Reeve said. "Anytime you're blocking for a guy who has a chance to make a big play it's just a lot more fun."
"It is fun and it's been a good experience for me," center Logan Pickett agreed. "I know he's got the speed. I think what he's best at is his moves. He can get out of almost any situation pretty easily."
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Jackson has a hard time describing his running style.
"I've been playing football since I was in third grade," Jackson said. "It just came. Any crease I see I'm going to go through it."
Jackson was a baby when his cousin and God-brother Melvin Barnett started at running back as freshman for Cuero.
Jackson wasn't even born when Robert Strait helped the Gobblers reach the 1985 state final his freshman year.
Jackson is becoming more aware of Strait's accomplishments as he approaches the school's freshman rushing record.
Strait rushed 206 times for 1,390 yards and 20 touchdowns and scored 24 touchdowns overall as a freshman.
"It feels pretty good to be one of them," Jackson said.
Reeve also feels good about his decision to give Jackson the opportunity.
"I think we knew after the La Vernia game," Reeve said. "He really came on in practice that week. He worked really hard. It takes a while for a freshman. But if you're the guy, you're the guy."
NOTES: Cuero will be the home team...Tickets at the gate are $7...Somerset is coached by Sonny Detmer, the father of NFL quarterbacks Koy and Ty Detmer and the uncle of Somerset quarterback Steven Dorman...The winner will play Sealy, which beat Needville 31-10 on Thursday, in the regional round...The game will be broadcast on KBAR, 100.9 FM.
Cuero RB has plenty of speed to burn
Jackson nearing rushing mark for Gobbler freshman
Photo 1 of 1Click to enlargeClick to view more
advertising
BY MIKE FORMAN - MFORMAN@VICAD.COM
November 13, 2008 - 11:33 p.m.
CUERO - Mark Reeve had never started a freshman at running back in his 18 years as a head football coach. But Reeve had never coached a freshman running back like Trent Jackson.
Jackson became a starter in Cuero's District 28-3A opener against Yoakum and he has erased any doubt about his ability to play on the varsity level by rushing 84 times for a district-leading 1,209 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Jackson helped lead the No. 8 Gobblers (8-1) to their sixth straight undefeated district championship and into the Division I bi-district playoffs against Somerset (7-3) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Farris Stadium in San Antonio.
"We felt like we wanted to look at him," Reeve said.
"He's got a lot of confidence. He's never really acted like a freshman."
Jackson doesn't run like a freshman. He is not only a breakaway threat, but he rarely loses yardage or fumbles.
"He takes care of the football, he's got great vision, he hits the hole really well and it seems like he's always moving forward," Reeve said. "The other thing he does is he makes a lot of yards after contact. He keeps his legs moving. He keeps a low center of gravity and keeps his pads down."
Jackson knew making the varsity as a freshman would be a big step. But Jackson had faith in his ability and was willing to put in the hard work necessary to achieve his goal.
"Coach Reeve told me if I stayed in the weight room I'd have a chance," Jackson said. "He told me just to work real hard. I worked hard in the summer and lifted weights every day. I knew everything was going to be more difficult on varsity. I really didn't know anything about what to expect. I just tried."
Jackson gives much of the credit for his success to the offensive line, which has allowed Cuero to average over 250 yards of rushing per game.
"I think they really like blocking for Trent," Reeve said. "Anytime you're blocking for a guy who has a chance to make a big play it's just a lot more fun."
"It is fun and it's been a good experience for me," center Logan Pickett agreed. "I know he's got the speed. I think what he's best at is his moves. He can get out of almost any situation pretty easily."
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Jackson has a hard time describing his running style.
"I've been playing football since I was in third grade," Jackson said. "It just came. Any crease I see I'm going to go through it."
Jackson was a baby when his cousin and God-brother Melvin Barnett started at running back as freshman for Cuero.
Jackson wasn't even born when Robert Strait helped the Gobblers reach the 1985 state final his freshman year.
Jackson is becoming more aware of Strait's accomplishments as he approaches the school's freshman rushing record.
Strait rushed 206 times for 1,390 yards and 20 touchdowns and scored 24 touchdowns overall as a freshman.
"It feels pretty good to be one of them," Jackson said.
Reeve also feels good about his decision to give Jackson the opportunity.
"I think we knew after the La Vernia game," Reeve said. "He really came on in practice that week. He worked really hard. It takes a while for a freshman. But if you're the guy, you're the guy."
NOTES: Cuero will be the home team...Tickets at the gate are $7...Somerset is coached by Sonny Detmer, the father of NFL quarterbacks Koy and Ty Detmer and the uncle of Somerset quarterback Steven Dorman...The winner will play Sealy, which beat Needville 31-10 on Thursday, in the regional round...The game will be broadcast on KBAR, 100.9 FM.