Jackson's Two Touchdowns Key Evergreen Park's Second-Half Rally

During summer camp, Evergreen Park coach Dan Hartman gushed over the skill players he had on his team.

Everybody recognized returning running back Victor Baker, but Hartman knew that the Mustangs weren’t going to be just a one-man show. And Friday night was a perfect example of that.

Oak Lawn’s defense focused extensively on Baker, shutting down the star running back to the tune of only 59 yards rushing. The Spartans were the first team to take him completely out of the game.

But with only eight touches on the ball, backup running back Jared Jackson was ultimately the difference-maker. His two touchdowns–a 36-yard run and an 87-yard catch–in the third quarter gave Evergreen Park the lead for good in a crucial 21-6 victory over Oak Lawn.

“In the first half, they came out with a pretty good game plan trying to take away Victor Baker, and thank god we have another great back in Jared Jackson to give the ball to,” Hartman said. “It looked like wherever Victor went there were about six bodies going that away.”

The second half is when Jackson made his presence felt. Facing a third-and-11 at Oak Lawn’s 36, Jackson sprinted around the left end, shaking off a couple of would-be tacklers to put Evergreen Park up 7-6.

After the Mustang defense recovered a fumble on Oak Lawn’s ensuing possession, Jackson again bailed the Mustangs out of an unpromising situation. On third-and-8 at Evergreen Park’s own 22, Jackson took a simple screen pass from quarterback Brandon White and turned it into a 87-yard touchdown.

“I just saw the blocking going downfield, and I just had to follow them,” Jackson said. “The line had a big game, so I dedicate this game to the offensive line.”

Part of the reason why Jackson doesn’t get more touches on offense is because of his value defensively. Jackson starts at defensive back for a Mustangs defense that has surrendered only six points in its last two games. The 5-foot-9 senior seldom leaves the field.

As he showed on Friday, Jackson makes the most of the few offensive opportunities he gets. Hartman said he’s averaging well over 15 yards per touch on the season, and he improved on that Friday night, totaling 155 yards on four receptions and four carries.

Baker will continue to carry the load for Evergreen Park offensively, but don’t think Hartman doesn’t appreciate the other weapons he has.

“It really says a lot about Jared’s character; any other place he’d probably be the starting tailback,” Hartman said. “He’s a great No. 2 for us.”

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