Ely's Jackson eager to lead
By Steve Gorten
Staff Writer
Posted September 17 2004
Pompano Beach · It seemed he constantly had luggage packed this summer, though never for vacation. Ely quarterback Carlton Jackson Jr. said he attended 10 college football camps -- Florida, Wake Forest, North Carolina State, Rutgers and Auburn included -- and several of his receivers went with him.
When he wasn't on a trip, he spent hours talking with newly hired coach Willie Snead, and together they watched film of Snead's former teams on offense. So it's no surprise when Jackson ran the wide-open system in a game for the first time last week, he said he felt completely at ease.
"When I'm on the field, it feels like I'm way more advanced than everyone, like a man among boys because I've been here so long," said Jackson, a three-year starter who completed 15 of 17 passes for 246 yards and accounted for five touchdowns with zero interceptions against Stranahan. "I've just been waiting on my opportunity to throw the ball."
Said receiver Ed McIntosh: "I think it was a surprise [to some] because we never passed that much. That just never used to be us."
As Stranahan coach Keith Skinner watched Jackson and Ely's array of receiving options -- Ed McIntosh, Carnell Sanders, Avery Holley -- he said he had flashbacks of the team the Tigers are scheduled to play tonight, but may face Saturday instead.
This matchup at Deerfield Beach between state-ranked Class 6A teams Ely and Deerfield Beach was selected by ESPN as its national high school showcase game of the week, though Broward County school board officials may nix that. They're expected to make a decision this morning over whether to move the game, county Athletic Director Rocky Gillis said, because of their concern over safety.
Bucks Athletic Director Vinnie Tozzi said the publicity generated by ESPN's appearance likely will garner an attendance of 4,000 to 6,000, and because the funeral of a Deerfield Beach police officer will be held tonight, it is uncertain whether there will be "adequate security" available, which Tozzi estimated to be 15 officers. While Ely and Deerfield are heated rivals, there has been no history of fan violence.
Skinner said at this point Ely more resembles Deerfield's offense last season than this season's version of the Bucks.
"With their great group of receivers, [Jackson] reminds you a lot of Deerfield and [former quarterback Brent] Schaeffer," Skinner said. "He has the same style and he's definitely a big-time prospect. I like how they spread it out. ... They definitely mirror Deerfield's style of play."
Jackson said Ely is more committed to running the ball than Deerfield last season when the Tigers bottled up Schaeffer in a 32-14 upset. The Tigers rushed 40 times for 159 yards in the opener. It's unmistakable, though, that Ely has moved away from the run-oriented wing-T that fit Tyrone Moss and worked so well under former coach Steve Davis.
While Bucks coach Greg Minnis admitted he is emphasizing the run to take pressure off first-year quarterback Marcus Allen, Snead has given greater responsibility to Jackson, notably freedom to check off plays and audibles.
"I feel like a leader on the field, not just a guy who's the quarterback," Jackson said, adding it was "hard" at times to be patient while playing a lesser role the past two seasons. "There were a lot of rumors going around about me transferring to St. Thomas or Dillard, but I just hung in there and played as a team player, never selfish about not throwing the ball. I just wanted to win. Now, it's my turn to carry the load."
i hope we get' em both
