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“Effort, intensity” define Jackson’s career
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| Cy Ridge senior linebacker Princeton Jackson (30) battles with Copperas Cove senior offensive lineman Isaiah Buckram (68) during the Rams’ 55-48 loss to the Bulldawgs last Friday in the Class 5A Division II Regional Championship at Waco ISD Stadium. |
By Michael Sudhalter
Cy Ridge senior linebacker Princeton Jackson caused problems for quarterbacks, but he also dropped back into coverage.
Off the field, Jackson knew a thing or two about motivating his teammates through music.
“I rap before the games,” Jackson said. “We have a team rap session, and I make a rap about school or anything. The (team) picks a topic, and I rap about it.”
Jackson played a key role in the Rams’ success, but the team’s season ended last Friday with a 55-48 loss to Copperas Cove (12-1) in the UIL Class 5A Division II Regional Championship Game in Waco.
Cy Ridge (9-3) had won seven straight games before the postseason loss.
“He (was) the bell cow of our defense,” Cy Ridge football coach Gary Thiebaud said. “He’s a physical guy, he’s a good tackler and he anticipates plays well. He plays with great effort and intensity. He’s got a great motor, he gets to the football.”
Jackson is a finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston defensive player of the year award, which will be announced on Dec. 10.
“That’s a great thing, especially with (Cy Ridge senior quarterback) Russell Shepard being nominated for offensive player of the year,” Jackson said. “We could make school history and that would be a good thing for our program.”
Jackson was a four-year varsity football player, having started two seasons for the Rams. Prior to that, he played Class 4A varsity football as a freshman and sophomore at Livingston High in East Texas.
Jackson moved to Houston as a junior when his mother relocated to the city for a job. He had to adjust to the increased traffic in the city, but everything else has been a smooth transition.
“I love 5A,” Jackson said. “It’s a life-changing thing. Everything – I bonded with the team and I fell right into the mix. It’s still 100 yards, it’s pretty much the same to me.”
Jackson enjoyed playing against friends from Lufkin, a town close to Livingston. Cy Ridge came from behind to defeat the Panthers, 42-32 on Nov. 22 at Kyle Field in College Station.
“That was a great thing,” Jackson said. “They had a lot of kids I played against, and it was good to see them again. It’s sad that they lost, but it happens.”
Jackson’s keeping his options open for the future and isn’t sure whether he’ll play baseball or football at the next level. He’s played both sports since he was 4.
Cy Ridge’s dominant offensive combination of Shepard (LSU commit) and running back Hasan Lipscomb (Minnesota commit) often overshadowed the defense, but that was fine with Jackson.
“He’s a physical guy, he’s a good tackler and he anticipates plays well. He plays with great effort and intensity. He’s got a great motor, he gets to the football.”
Cy Ridge football coach Gary Thiebaud on senior linebacker Princeton Jackson
Off the field, Jackson knew a thing or two about motivating his teammates through music.
“I rap before the games,” Jackson said. “We have a team rap session, and I make a rap about school or anything. The (team) picks a topic, and I rap about it.”
Jackson played a key role in the Rams’ success, but the team’s season ended last Friday with a 55-48 loss to Copperas Cove (12-1) in the UIL Class 5A Division II Regional Championship Game in Waco.
Cy Ridge (9-3) had won seven straight games before the postseason loss.
“He (was) the bell cow of our defense,” Cy Ridge football coach Gary Thiebaud said. “He’s a physical guy, he’s a good tackler and he anticipates plays well. He plays with great effort and intensity. He’s got a great motor, he gets to the football.”
Jackson is a finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston defensive player of the year award, which will be announced on Dec. 10.
“That’s a great thing, especially with (Cy Ridge senior quarterback) Russell Shepard being nominated for offensive player of the year,” Jackson said. “We could make school history and that would be a good thing for our program.”
Jackson was a four-year varsity football player, having started two seasons for the Rams. Prior to that, he played Class 4A varsity football as a freshman and sophomore at Livingston High in East Texas.
Jackson moved to Houston as a junior when his mother relocated to the city for a job. He had to adjust to the increased traffic in the city, but everything else has been a smooth transition.
“I love 5A,” Jackson said. “It’s a life-changing thing. Everything – I bonded with the team and I fell right into the mix. It’s still 100 yards, it’s pretty much the same to me.”
Jackson enjoyed playing against friends from Lufkin, a town close to Livingston. Cy Ridge came from behind to defeat the Panthers, 42-32 on Nov. 22 at Kyle Field in College Station.
“That was a great thing,” Jackson said. “They had a lot of kids I played against, and it was good to see them again. It’s sad that they lost, but it happens.”
Jackson’s keeping his options open for the future and isn’t sure whether he’ll play baseball or football at the next level. He’s played both sports since he was 4.
Cy Ridge’s dominant offensive combination of Shepard (LSU commit) and running back Hasan Lipscomb (Minnesota commit) often overshadowed the defense, but that was fine with Jackson.
“He’s a physical guy, he’s a good tackler and he anticipates plays well. He plays with great effort and intensity. He’s got a great motor, he gets to the football.”
Cy Ridge football coach Gary Thiebaud on senior linebacker Princeton Jackson
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