Arrests put dimmer on potential for bright future
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STATS
On the field
RushingFreshman: 114-1,436, 21 TDs
Sophomore: 287-2,526*, 33 TDs
Junior: 73-889^, 10 TDs
Total: 474-4,851, 64 TDs
*Cuero record
^5 games
Off the field
March 31, Goliad County, Possession of Marijuana
June 10: DeWitt County, Possession of ...
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STATS
On the field
RushingFreshman: 114-1,436, 21 TDs
Sophomore: 287-2,526*, 33 TDs
Junior: 73-889^, 10 TDs
Total: 474-4,851, 64 TDs
*Cuero record
^5 games
Off the field
March 31, Goliad County, Possession of Marijuana
June 10: DeWitt County, Possession of Marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone
Cuero's running back had defenders on Crain's eighth grade A team grasping for air much of the game at Patti Welder Stadium.
After the game, I told my son and his teammates not to worry about not being able to tackle the running back because very few eighth graders could make cuts like he was making.
That was the first time I recall watching Trent Jackson run the football.
I came away with the same impression every other time I watched him run the football.
Jackson makes moves very few running backs can make. He has the ideal combination of size, strength and speed to go along with the ability to catch the football.
I wasn't surprised when he made the varsity as a freshman.
Cuero coach Mark Reeve said Jackson had come into his office and told him he wanted to be the starting running back.
Jackson backed up his words with action, breaking Robert Strait's school rushing records as a freshman and a sophomore.
Jackson was at his best in big games.
He rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns in Cuero's 2008 semifinal loss to Waco La Vega, and finished his freshman season with 1,436 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Jackson rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the Gobblers' 2009 semifinal loss to Gilmer, and completed his sophomore season with 2,526 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Jackson's most memorable game was last season against Calhoun in the rain at Port Lavaca.
Jackson carried 23 times for 385 yards and four touchdowns, while leading the Gobblers to a much-needed 34-21 win.
Despite the weather and field conditions, Jackson never fumbled and lost yardage on only two attempts.
He had eight runs of more than 10 yards, and touchdown runs of 87, 78, 71 and 51 yards.
Jackson's outing against Calhoun was perhaps the most outstanding individual performance I have witnessed in nearly three decades of covering high school football.
I said so when I nominated him for the Ford Tough Class 3A Player of the Week award, and I wasn't surprised when he won the award.
Sadly, when Jackson received the award he was on crutches after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on his second carry in Cuero's District 28-3A opener against Pleasanton.
His first carry went for a 66-yard touchdown.
Jackson missed the remainder of his junior season. By most accounts his rehab was going well and he was on track to return at full strength in the upcoming season.
College recruiters were still very much interested in Jackson, who seemed certain to receive a Division I offer.
With no experienced quarterback returning, Cuero was counting on him having a productive season.
But the events of the past few months have put Jackson's future in jeopardy.
He has been arrested twice for possession of marijuana in Goliad and DeWitt counties.
The most recent arrest in Cuero brought felony charges because he was apprehended in a drug-free zone.
Writing about those arrests made me sick to my stomach.
Jackson, 17, is responsible for his actions, but I am not about to pass judgment.
Jackson is innocent until proven guilty, and I haven't forgotten some of the stupid things I did when I was his age.
Jackson seemed like a nice person whenever I talked to him. He was polite and never failed to give credit to his teammates.
I know a number of former Cuero athletes tried to warn Jackson about the consequences of his actions.
From what I could tell, they genuinely wanted him to succeed.
Jackson has a gift few of us have.
Through hard work and determination he had and may still have the opportunity to reap the benefits of that gift.
This is about more than football. This is about getting an education and living a productive life.
Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361- 580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com, or comment on this column at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.
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