VIRGINIA BEACH — Charles Jackson III hasn’t forgotten about last season.
That’s because the Green Run star running back had to stand on the sidelines during the postseason because of a leg injury he suffered in the final regular-season game.
He was forced to watch during the playoffs, including the 20-14 loss to Maury in a Class 5 state semifinal game. The Commodores went on to roll past Briar Woods of Ashburn 46-0 to win the state title.
“I think about that a lot because it would have been different if I didn’t get hurt,” said Jackson, who was the fourth-leading rusher in Hampton Roads during the regular season with 1,386 yards and 23 touchdowns. “We would have been running the ball a lot. No other team could stop our run play. I really wanted to play.”
The loss stays etched in Jackson’s mind.
Now he uses it as motivation this season.
“I still think about last year every day,” said Jackson, who was third-team All-Tidewater. “And if we would have beaten Maury, we probably would have won state.”
Jackson has the Stallions (7-0) in position to win at least a share of their fifth consecutive Beach District title if they can beat visiting Bayside on Friday. The Stallions have won 57 games in a row over Beach District opponents and 50 straight during the regular season. A win would pretty much wrap up the title as they finish the regular season against First Colonial and Ocean Lakes, who are a combined 2-11.
Jackson will be a key figure for the Stallions. This season, he’s once again the fourth-leading rusher in Hampton Roads with 978 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Green Run coach Brandon Williams knows how important Jackson is to the team.
“He means the world to this team,” he said. “He’s a true team player. He picks up his teammates. In the locker room, it’s never about Charles, it’s all about Green Run football. That’s saying a lot about a kid of his caliber.”
And when the game is on the line, Jackson wants the ball.
Two weeks ago against Salem, the Stallions trailed by two touchdowns. But Jackson led them back, including the game-winning touchdown with 31.4 seconds left.
“He never gets down and never gets too high on himself,” Williams said. “He just continues to do what he needs to do to help the team.”
Jackson doesn’t take winning for granted. In his first two seasons at Norview High, the Pilots had back-to-back losing seasons.
He transferred to Green Run last season and helped lead the Stallions to a district title.
“My freshman and sophomore year, I didn’t get that experience of being on a good team,” he said. “Just being on a team like this, it means a lot. And winning a district title has been a blessing.”
Now, he hopes to keep going.
A state title would be the perfect way to end his high school career before he heads to Old Dominion. A three-star prospect who was rated the No. 14 senior in Hampton Roads, he chose the Monarchs over several offers, including Duke, East Carolina, Marshall, West Virginia and Virginia Tech
“I chose ODU because of the amount of love they showed me, my mom and my entire family. That really meant the world to me,” said Jackson, who is 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. “They check on me all the time. I’m excited to go to ODU. It’s home.”
He’s also excited to play for Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne and running backs coach Tony Lucas. And he loves how well the Monarchs (4-2) are playing this season.
“Ever since they’ve been winning games,” he said, “it makes me more excited to go there.”
Added Williams:
“I tell you what, coach Rahne is getting a good one,” he said. “I’m glad to see him stay home.”
No. 13 Bayside (5-1) at No. 4 Green Run (7-0), 7 p.m.
Larry Rubama: Green Run 28-26. Marty O’Brien: Green Run 28-20.
Friday’s other games
757Teamz Top 15
Norcom (2-4) at No. 1 Maury (5-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Maury 63-0. Marty: Maury 50-6.
Grassfield (0-6) at No. 2 Oscar Smith (5-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Oscar Smith 55-0. Marty: Oscar Smith 60-0.
Denbigh (3-4) vs. No. 3 Warwick (5-2) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Warwick 26-6. Marty: Warwick 28-7.
Deep Creek (2-4) at No. 5 Indian River (5-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Indian River 33-13. Marty: Indian River 48-7.
Lakeland (0-6) at No. 6 King’s Fork (5-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: King’s Fork 46-0. Marty: King’s Fork 58-0.
No. 8 Nansemond River (5-1) at Hickory (3-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: Nansemond River 31-14. Marty: Nansemond River 35-12.
No. 9 Poquoson (7-0) vs. Warhill (4-2) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Poquoson 34-14. Marty: Poquoson 28-13.
No. 10 Lafayette (6-1) at Gloucester (0-6), 7 p.m.
Larry: Lafayette 41-0. Marty: Lafayette 59-6.
No. 11 Kempsville (4-2) at First Colonial (1-7), 7 p.m.
Larry: Kempsville 34-0. Marty: Kempsville 42-0.
No. 14 Lake Taylor (6-1) at Churchland (5-2), 7 p.m.
Larry: Lake Taylor 26-23. Marty: Lake Taylor 28-27.
No. 15 Salem (4-2) at Ocean Lakes (2-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Salem 27-13. Marty: Salem 35-6.
Bay Rivers District
Jamestown (2-4) vs. Grafton (1-6) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.
Larry: Jamestown 14-13. Marty: Grafton 20-17.
York (2-4) at Smithfield (3-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: York 23-21. Marty: Smithfield 27-24.
Beach District
Cox (4-2) at Tallwood (3-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: Cox 21-20. Marty: Cox 20-14.
Princess Anne (0-7) at Kellam (3-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: Kellam 24-6. Marty: Kellam 48-9.
Eastern District
Norview (4-3) at Booker T. Washington (0-6), 7 p.m.
Larry: Norview 27-13. Marty: Norview 30-11.
Southeastern District
Western Branch (3-3) vs. Great Bridge (1-5) at Great Bridge Middle, 7 p.m.
Larry: Western Branch 34-7. Marty: Western Branch 35-6.
Non-district
Granby (2-5) at Norfolk Academy (5-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Granby 26-20. Marty: Granby 17-13.
Private schools
Brunswick Academy at Greenbrier Christian, 7 p.m.
Christchurch at Catholic, 7 p.m.
Mathews at Hampton Roads Academy, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s game
Peninsula District
Bethel (4-3) vs. Woodside (3-3) at Todd Stadium, noon
Larry: Bethel 26-13. Marty: Bethel 21-14.
How they fared
Larry Rubama: 18-3 last week, 130-31 (81.3%)
Marty O’Brien: 19-2 last week, 140-21 overall (87.0%)
