When Billy Garrity’s season-ending hip injury was discovered a few weeks back, Dannis Jackson knew exactly what conversation was coming from Sumrall coach Shannon White. Jackson, a three-year starter at wide receiver for the Bobcats, would replace Garrity at quarterback and lead the team going forward.
An Ole Miss commit, Jackson admits that in a perfect world, he would be lining up at receiver again during his final year in a Sumrall uniform. But said Jackson, “This was the best move for the team right now.”
“When the lights come on, whatever you ask of him he [Jackson] can do,” added White. “He’s accepted this role as quarterback because it’s best for our team. He’s embraced it. His attitude has just been exceptional.”
The original plan was for Jackson to quarterback the Bobcats last season. But after one start there in a Wing-T offense and a 36-0, season-opening loss to South Jones, Jackson moved back to wide receiver.
This time around, White and company are running more of a spread offense tailored around Jackson’s strong suits, namely his running ability. Again, his debut last week came against South Jones. But this time, Jackson and the Bobcats flipped the script and handed the Braves a 36-7 loss.
Jackson went 14-for-18 throwing the ball for 153 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, he ran for 117 yards and two more scores. For his efforts, Jackson has been named our Sports601 Hattiesburg Player of the Week for Aug. 13-18.
“He played great,” White said of Jackson. “I’m not saying he’ll always be 14 out of 18, but he’ll get better and better because he’s been throwing the football now for three weeks.”
Added Jackson, “It was what we expected, honestly. We didn’t want the same thing that happened last year; We wanted to do it to them.”
Even heading into last season’s opener against the Braves, Jackson was familiar with playing quarterback. That was in fact his full-time position during his junior high days.
“He [Jackson] was throwing it pretty good back then,” said White. “He can obviously run, but I think people are going to be surprised that he can throw the football.”
A one-time Mississippi State commit, Jackson announced last month his intentions of playing wide receiver at Ole Miss next fall.
“I knew that’s what I wanted for a long time,” said Jackson. “It was just a matter of time for me doing it.”
He and the Bobcats (1-0) will be back in action Friday night at Wesson (0-0).
