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Determination, character lead to success for lineman

Sports reporter

The sidelines of a football field is the best seat in the house — if you are a reporter.

If you're on the football team and not playing, it's the worst.

That was the case for Marion High School student Emmanuel Jackson last season.

After transferring from Louisiana, Jackson was ineligible and limited to towel and water duty at Marion.

This season, the only time he touches a towel or water is to wipe the sweat off his face or replenish his body after sacking the quarterback.

"It's been a long time," Jackson said of waiting to play. "Now I get to play in the games and I'm trying to get better. I feel more comfortable."

Comfortable enough to have four of the team's six sacks this season, and help add speed to the defensive line and punt team coverage.

Head coach Grant Theirolf saw something last year in the sophomore who dedicated himself to a team he wasn't even playing for.

"It showed the character of the young man," he said. "He came to practice everyday, he could have taken a night off, but he never did."

That, Theirolf said, helped his teammates embrace him.

Transition

It was hard for Jackson when he first moved here, as it would be for any new student. But coming from a much larger city makes the move to a small town like Marion harder.

"I had to get to know people," he said. "It was hard to adjust, there aren't many people my race."

Jackson said that hasn't really been an issue, and everyone in Marion has been friendly since day one. MHS principal Ken Arnhold put him at ease early on.

"The first day Mr. Arnhold introduced me to all the coaches," Jackson said.

From then on he has been a Warrior.

Still, part of his heart remains in Louisiana where he had family affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"It's been hard for them," he said. "I wanted to go down there."

But Jackson is busy with school and sports, and a trip down South just isn't possible right now.

On the field

Sacking the quarterback isn't the only asset E-Man, as his teammates call him, adds to the team.

His down-field punt coverage has Warrior fans on their feet every time he stuffs an opposing returner right where he catches the ball.

It's gotten to the point where everyone expects him to make the tackle every time Marion punts, but it's getting increasingly harder for Jackson when teams put two men on him.

It's a brand new position for him, especially after practicing at cornerback and wide receiver last year. But it hasn't stopped him from giving his all, and recording 50 total tackles eight games into the season.

"Whatever I'm needed for," he said with a smile. "I just go straight to the football."

He also says when playing defensive end his mindset is to find the quarterback.

Being relatively new to the area, he doesn't know the ins and outs of every team, but that doesn't keep him from making frequent visits to the opposing team's backfield.

"I just know the quarterback's number," Jackson said with a smile that leads you to believe he's remembering one of his sacks from this season.

Coaching staff

His coaching staff has to do with his success as well, and Jackson understands that more than anything.

Head coach Grant Theirolf told Jackson to practice last year at cornerback and wide receiver, and he did.

When Theirolf told him he would be defensive end this season, Jackson took it in stride.

When Jackson was told he needed to add some muscle, he went straight to the weight room, adding 15 pounds from last year, to reach 170.

He knows when it comes to football no one knows better than his coaches.

"They're straight to the point," Jackson said. "And they'll get on you if you mess up."

Even with his success, Jackson has taken his lumps with a sort of on-the-job learning experience.

"From the first game to game eight, he has improved tremendously," Thierolf said.

Crunch time

Although Jackson is new to the Hillsboro-Marion rivalry, he isn't knew to rivalries in general.

His high school back home played its rival every year on homecoming, and Jackson was looking forward to getting on the field against the Trojans.

In the Warriors' 33-6 victory, Jackson had six tackles, including one for a loss.

Now the rival game is behind him, and the final contest of the season Thursday against Hesston will determine his team's playoff fate.

Jackson would be upset if this season ends without a trip to the playoffs, but he knows he has contributed to the success of a 7-1 football team, and he's grateful for that opportunity.

He also know the seniors are what holds a team together.

"I feel like I'm really playing for the seniors because it's their last year and I want it to end on a good note for them," he said.

No matter what happens, E-Man can flash his big smile and realize a move to a new state that would be tough on any teen, has now come full circle.

"It's been fun," he said.

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