Class 3A MVP: Cuero RB Trent Jackson
2010-08-25
By Dennis Hall / Texas Football
Cuero has a tough player to replace now that quarterback Tyler Arndt has packed up and headed off to play college football at Texas State.
The Gobblers’ new quarterback is named Mason Blaschke, but the real onus for replacing Arndt lies elsewhere. The focal point of the offense now will be running back Trent Jackson, who had a phenomenal sophomore year and seems primed for stardom.
Jackson rushed for 1,750 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2009 while helping Cuero to reach its fifth state semifinal appearance in six seasons. With 176 carries, Jackson almost averaged 10 yards per carry.
Jackson’s carries and yards should increase in 2010 now that he’s the No. 1 offensive option. At 6-0, 180 pounds, he’s built to carry the load, and his 4.5 speed makes him a threat to go long on every carry.
“He has really done a great job,” Cuero coach Rick Owens said. “He’s something special. He works hard in athletics, and he does a great job on the field.”
Jackson, a junior, won’t have to shoulder all the pressure, because Cuero has a strong senior class that’s loaded with talent. The Gobblers return 10 starters and open the season ranked No. 3 in Class 3A because of their overall depth of talent.
But there’s no question who gets the ball late in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Cuero will put the ball in Jackson’s hands and have confidence that he can once again deliver the big play that leads his team to victory.
HONORABLE MENTION
QB Michael Means, Lucas Lovejoy: It’s hard to believe Lucas Lovejoy, a third-year varsity program, could already by a state title contender. But we’ve got the Leopards ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 3A, and a big reason is the return of do-everything quarterback Means. He is one of Class 3A’s top returning passers (2,092 yards) and rushers (1,565 yards). And he’s one of 16 returning starters for a 12-2 team that could very well be playing deep into December.
RB Brandon Williams, Brookshire Royal: Our Class 3A coverboy, Williams burst onto the scene last year with a tremendous junior season that culminated with 1,905 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. That got the attention of recruiting coordinators around the country, and he committed in the offseason to Oklahoma. Now, what can he do for an encore?
RB LeFrederick Ford, Kirbyville: One of Class 2A’s top rushers now gets to try his luck in Class 3A. Ford rushed for a whopping 2,571 yards and 35 touchdowns last year while guiding the Wildcats to their second straight state title game. Even with the tough move to 3A, Kirbyville should still be a district title contender, and Ford should still rank among the state’s top running backs.
LB Kendall Thompson, Carthage: East Texas churns out college football talent, and Thompson is a testament to that statement. Thompson has excellent size (6-3, 235 pounds) and speed (4.6 in the 40) and that’s why he’ll be heading to Austin after finishing up one more season at Carthage. Thompson had 144 tackles last season while leading the Bulldogs to the state title.
RB Doug Gentry, Mexia: It seems like Gentry should already be off playing college football somewhere, because he already has posted two 1,800-yard rushing seasons. But he’s back for one last dance at Mexia and hopes to lead the Blackcats a little deeper in the playoffs after falling in the second round the past two years – both times to East Texas powerhouses (Gilmer in ’08, Carthage in ’09).
