Jackson Academy opens up the home schedule Friday night at what is now “Blackwell’s Brickyard.” New head coach Aubrey Blackwell will lead his Raiders against the Leake Academy Rebels after both teams won their opening game of the season last week.
Leake Academy topped Winston Academy 40-12, while Jackson Academy held on in an overtime squeaker at Starkville Academy 17-14. Starkville passed on a tying field goal attempt from the 3-yard line in overtime and saw a fourth down pass fall incomplete to give Blackwell his first win at JA.
Coach Blackwell comes to Jackson from the Alabama high school coaching ranks. Last year he was at Benjamin Russell High School and previously spent six seasons turning around a losing program at Montgomery Catholic, racking up a 54-19 record including a state championship game appearance in 2020.
“JA has such a great tradition, and great people,” said Coach Blackwell. It is such an honor to be here and a blessing for my family. I’ve had lots of buy in from the team as we bring in new offensive and defensive systems. I’m super excited to see them succeed.”
Offensively, Blackwell is using a pro-style that involves multiple formations. He wants to run the football, utilizing the tight ends and H-backs and spread it out. Everything based on what the defense is showing them.
The pressure will be on senior quarterback Clayton White, who while seeing plenty of playing time last season, was the back-up. White was 13-24 for 119 yds in the opener against Starkville.
“Clayton has really stepped things up. He’s got the attitude of having a chip on his shoulder that he can be good,” said Blackwell. “He’s done a good job of making sure guys are in the right play, looks at coverages and keeps the guys positive. The biggest thing we remind him is to not let mistakes get to him. Be a field manager, we don’t expect him to win it all himself, just don’t make crazy plays.”
White has some reliable targets to focus on. Senior Merritt Nations is a slot receiver who Blackwell says is a very skilled technician in route running. He’s 5’9” and runs very well after the catch. Nations caught seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the opener. Another receiver who Blackwell is very high on is senior Thomas Antici. Antici is an imposing target that stands 6’5” with great hands.
In the backfield, Blackwell is excited about a pair of runners that he plans to rotate throughout the game. Junior Colby Archie is a 6’1” 190 lbs. bull of a back that is tough to bring down. Archie will split time with sophomore Omarean Ellis who likes contact and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Ellis led the team in rushing last week with 99 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown. Blackwell is also expecting these two to be protectors of White to give him a little extra time in the pocket to pick up blitzes. He’ll rely on them a bunch as he calls his offensive line one of the smallest in MAIS.
“I’m confident in both those guys. They’re very physical and hard to get down too,” said Blackwell.
Defensively, the Raiders are focusing on defending the run-pass option plays, spread formations and up-tempo pace.
Senior linebacker Adams Kennedy and senior defensive end Win Hooker are the anchors. Kennedy is intimidating at 6’1” and 220 lbs., while Hooker is versatile with speed and strength at 6’0” 190 lbs. Coach Blackwell says they are depending on them a lot.
Other critical pieces on defense are junior nose guard Nicky Harris and freshman Dereon Albert who stands 6’2” and 280 lbs.
In the secondary, Blackwell has been very impressed with the early play of junior Brister Robertson, who has very good hands after getting reps at wide receiver a year ago. Robertson is a very smart leader and athlete.
Blackwell admits the early going will be an adjustment for his defense as defensive coordinator David Duggan has brought in a philosophy he learned working in Power 5 college football and NFL Europe, but he knows they will be better for it.
“This is more complicated than anything I’ve ever done,” said Blackwell. “I’m excited that the kids have bought into it, searched it and showed a willingness to learn it.”
Coach Aubrey Blackwell says he knows the fans will judge him by wins and losses but his first goal is to build a firm, faithful foundation for the program to make his players the best they can be as young men, then football players.
“We want their best effort, to get them ready for this world. To be men of faith, to be good all-around. We want to produce leaders and how we send them on their way,” said Blackwell. “I grew up in a family of contractors so I know hard work. I used to help build houses, Now I’m building young men. When it’s all said and done and I’m standing in front of St. Peter, he won’t ask how many titles I won but rather how I impacted the lives of the men I coached. That’s what really matters.”
Coach Aubrey Blackwell gets his chance to christen the bricks with what he hopes is the first of many wins off Old Canton Road. Don’t be surprised if you hear Raider Nation rocking “Blackwell’s Brickyard” Friday night.
Keys to Victory for Jackson Academy:
On offense: Mix it up. The running game can really loosen things up, which will give Clayton White time to hit some big plays. The key will be to not turn the ball over.
On defense: Don’t give up the big play, make the Rebels earn everything and force them to drive the ball down the field. The more plays they have to run, the more opportunities to create a mistake.
Last Meeting: Jackson Academy won 27-13 in 2021.
The Series: Jackson Academy leads 2-1.
AT A GLANCE
Jackson Academy:
Class/Division: Class 6A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 1-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Aubrey Blackwell (first season)
Assistant Coaches: David Duggan, Jackie Smith, Tommy Ferrill, Shay Hodge, Trey Downes
Leake Academy:
Class/Division: Class 5A, District 2 (MAIS)
Record: 1-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Brian Pickens
