Piedmont senior D’Eric Jackson has one more football game to play before donning the red and white colors of the West Alabama Tigers in college this fall. In mid-July, Jackson will be a member of the North squad in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s annual North-South All-Star game.
This year’s game will take place on the campus of Alabama A&M University just outside Huntsville.
Jackson said he found out about his selection when Piedmont head football coach Steve Smith called him into his office during seventh period workouts to give him the good news.
“It’s a blessing. It was a very exciting thing for me and my family and the whole team,” said Jackson.
When North head coach Fred Yancey of Briarwood Christian in Birmingham called to ask if Jackson was interested in playing, Jackson didn’t have to be asked twice.
“I told him, ‘Yes, sir,’” Jackson recalled.
The only question was whether West Alabama would approve. Jackson said the Tigers’ coaches “were very excited” for him and for Oxford quarterback Derek Thomas, another West Alabama signee, to have the opportunity.
Smith said that he had spoken with Yancey about his plans for Jackson.
Yancey indicated Jackson could see time at running back, inside receiver, on kick return teams and “maybe defense” as well.
His quickness getting inside makes Jackson think he will probably see more time at receiver than in the backfield. That’s fine with him.
The crowd at the annual all-star game will be in for a treat if Jackson has the opportunity to return kicks.
“It’s just God’s gift,” said Jackson of his ability to run the ball through a broken field.
“I work myself at practice hard to get moves down,” he said. In games, his plan is to “try to guess what the defenders are thinking and make the right move.”
Jackson had almost 2,000 all-purpose yards for Piedmont last season and was a starter in the defensive backfield. He was a first team all-state selection on defense.
“It’s an honor,” Smith said of Jackson’s selection, both for Jackson individually and for Piedmont.
“It does wonders for our school,” continued Smith.
“It gives our school a favorable impression and when people see what a kid from Piedmont can do it helps others get that kind of recognition later on.”
