Double vision: Pioneers to lean on Jacksons
Offensive lineman Dylan Morgan and quarterback Owen Mait wait for instruction from their coach during practice.
Senior offensive lineman Beau Jackson (72) will look to lead West Greene this season.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Head coach Paul Kreuzer runs the team through warm-up drills.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter The West Greene football team takes a quick rest inbetween running plays during practice.
ROGERSVILLE – The Jackson Twins, Beau and Bray, are coming to a crossroads.
The two talented athletes have played sports together since, well, as long as they remember. From the youth leagues to middle school and now high school, the Jacksons have enjoyed each other’s company – well, most of the time – through their athletic adventures.
This fall marks the final season of high school football for the twins, and they will be counted on to lead West Greene High School through the dangerous waters of the Tri-County South Conference.
“We want to go to college, but we’ll see if it’s going to be the same one or if we’ll play together,” said Beau, the oldest twin by 16 minutes. “Honestly, we just don’t know.”
Beau wants to pursue a degree that deals with education and follow a path his father Brian did. Brian Jackson taught, coached and played at West Greene. Bray Jackson wants to possibly pursue a career in athletic training or exercise physiology.
Before that happens, the Jacksons want to finish up their high school football careers with a strong season. Improving on a 2-8 record isn’t going to be enough. They feel this could be a playoff team.
“We’ve got a lot of potential here,” said Bray Jackson. “We have some good players, fast players.”
Bray Jackson, at 6-2 and 200 pounds, will return to fullback on offense and middle linebacker in a new 3-5 scheme. Beau Jackson, 6-0 and 220, will center the line on offense and play tackle on defense.
“They know football, inside and out,” said Paul Kreuzer, entering his second season as West Greene head coach. “They do anything asked of them.”
But they don’t usually go against each other in practice, mainly to keep the peace. As you might expect, the competitive level among brothers is high, and off the charts when it comes to twins.
“Let’s just say sometimes we go at after the whistle,” said Bray. “You might say fight.”
“Yeah, they keep us apart,” said Beau.
That type of spirit can be infectious and the Pioneers will need it, and a season without injuries, to have a shot at winning the conference.
Last year, Kreuzer had to replace running back Ben Carlisle early in the season when Carlisle took a hit from Jake Temple of Avella in the second game of the season.
That sent Dalton Wildman, who was supposed to play fullback, to quarterback; and Owen Main, who was supposed to play quarterback, to tailback; and Bray Jackson, who was supposed to play tight end, to fullback. Senior Cale Miller (5-9, 182) moved into the tight end spot.
It took a while for the players to get used to revamped offense.
“This year, if we have an injury, it’s just going to be one player replaced,” said Kreuzer. “I’m not going to make changes like we did last year.”
So Main, a 6-1, 190-pound junior, will be back at quarterback, running the Pioneers Pro-I offense and Bray Jackson will remain at fullback. That leaves the tailback position open and Kreuzer said he might use a rotation system of seniors Donavan Weaver (5-4, 155) and Andrew Frey (5-10, 170) and sophomore Doug Berdine (5-10, 155).
“They could be taking in each play,” said Kreuzer. “They are similar in talent and speed.”
On Beau Jackson’s left is guard sophomore Craig Weaver (6-6, 240) and an open competition for left tackle.
On his right side is senior Will VanNorman (6-0, 22) at guard and senior Harr Ingram (6-0, 280) at tackle.
Kreuzer will flip them to the line for defense and Craig Weaver and Main will team up with Bray Jackson at inside linebacker.
Miller and Weaver will be the outside backers.
Junior Tyler Baker (6-0, 150) and Frey will man the corners and the safety position will be decided in camp. Kreuzer is high on freshman Zach Petit (5-9, 145), who has the best speed on the team.