Hometown Heroes: Palmetto's Dallas Jackson having big season for Jacksonville
In his senior year at Palmetto High, Dallas Jackson set the school's single-season record with seven interceptions.
Now a senior at Jacksonville University, the defensive back has twice tied his college's single-season record with five interceptions and ranks second in the Pioneer League this year with five picks.
Jackson has picked off a total of 10 in the last two seasons and this year has racked up 27 tackles and one tackle for a loss for Jacksonville (6-1).
As a junior, Jackson had 48 tackles, including 30 solos.
LOCAL FLAVOR AT WEBBER -- They might want to rename the Webber International University football team "Manatee East." The Warriors' roster includes players from Manatee, Palmetto, Braden River and Bayshore. Below are some of their results.
DONTE' TAYLOR -- The sophomore out of Bayshore High has two interceptions and 24 tackles with 21 solos. He has returned two kickoffs and four punts for a combined 48 yards.
MALIK BROOKS -- The junior defensive back out of Manatee High has 32 tackles including 23 solos.
AUSTIN CAVEY -- The sophomore linebacker out of Palmetto has 19 tackles, including 12 solos and two tackles for loss.
DRAKKAR WILSON -- The sophomore defensive lineman out of Manatee has nine tackles, including six solos and 2.5 for loss.
Others: Wendell Williamson (Bayshore) Senior offensive lineman Tracy Williamson (Bayshore) sophomore offensive lineman George Woodie Jr. (Manatee): Freshman defensive back.
AUSTIN FOX -- (Braden River) Freshman defensive back.
A.J. STRONG -- The former Out-Of-Door-Academy standout running back apparently likes going against his hometown guys. The senior at NAIA Campbellsville (Ky.) had his best game against Webber rushing for 82 yards on 14 carries. For the season, Strong has rushed for 271 yards on 59 carries and caught 10 passes for 83 yards. Strong started his career at Campbellsville as a linebacker.
DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE — We can’t seem to keep Lakewood Ranch product Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie off this weekly tribute to hometown guys. The New York Giants cornerback intercepted two passes, including a pick six, in a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Iit wasn’t all peaches and cream for DRC. After his 58-yard touchdown,pick six he got chewed out by Giants head coach Tom Coughlin for the way he carried the ball into the endzone with the ball above his head with receiver Terrance Williams on his heels.
“I can’t be holding the ball like that. Don’t celebrate until you get into the endzone first. He gave it to me a little bit,” DRC said after the game.
QUENTON BUNDRAGE — Manatee High product Quenton Bundrage caught two touchdown passes against Baylor to move into a second place tie at Iowa State for career touchdown passes with 15. The senior caught a two-yard TD pass and added a 29- yarder for the last of the Cyclones’ scoring.
For the season, he is second on the team with 25 receptions for 333 yards, but ranks first with four TD catches.
This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Hometown Heroes: Palmetto's Dallas Jackson having big season for Jacksonville ."