Pass or rush, Hawks' Jackson can do it all

By JOE SMITH
Published December 4, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Daniel Wallace | Times] Armwood quarterback Mywan Jackson has 900 passing yards and 950 rushing.

SEFFNER - For Mywan Jackson, it's been a year of maturation.

It started this summer, when the Armwood junior quarterback played a breadwinning role reversal on his mother, Terrie Green.

When Jackson's expensive dental surgery sapped the family's savings, the soft-spoken signal caller helped make ends meet by busing tables at Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse.

"I had to ask him for an allowance," Green said, laughing. "He'd say, 'Didn't I give you the other day?'"

Jackson has also given the Hawks offense a jolt following a position switch. For two years, he patiently waited behind quarterback Justin Hickman. His freshman year he ran scout team, and as a sophomore, he sparked the Hawks as a receiver.

But Jackson's electrifying runs and steady play under center have been a huge part of the Hawks' postseason run. Armwood (13-0) faces Booker T. Washington on Friday in a Class 4A state semifinal.

Jackson blends speed (4.4-second 40), savvy and arm strength in spearheading the Hawks' option running attack. Coach Sean Callahan predicted in the preseason that Jackson could become the school's best quarterback ever.

"Mywan's a pretty special player," Hawks two-way lineman Matt Patchan said earlier this season. "He has the ability to make players miss. As soon as he gets the ball, he's like an extra back in the backfield. If a team doesn't have two quarterback spies on him, he can take it the distance."

Jackson proved that Friday against Plant. The 6-foot, 175-pound Jackson scampered for two long touchdown runs (42, 38) in a 36-7 region final win.

Jackson said he wanted to make up for missing the season opener against the Panthers - he was suspended with seven other Hawks for skipping first period. Green said her son "felt he let his team down" that day, spending the weekend "holed up in his room" before apologizing to his teammates the following Monday.

Jackson earned his teammates' trust, but he first had to trust his own arm. Though he can throw 60-plus yards with accuracy, Jackson (900 passing yards, 950 rushing) said he'd like to play receiver in college; he'll have suitors with Nebraska offering and Wake Forest, Kansas and West Virginia showing interest.

Now, though, he'll keep his day job.

"The QB touches the ball on every play," Jackson said. "How could you not like that?

Five things to know about Mywan Jackson

1. His favorite food is prime rib: "I can eat it for every meal."

2. The night before games, Jackson and tailback Eric Smith stay at the house of assistant Evan Davis.

3. Football wasn't his only love; he also played baseball, basketball and ran track as a youngster

4. Jackson's spare time? He spends it playing video games and watching SportsCenter.

5. Jackson, suspended for the season opener, didn't even watch the game on TV - he watched his cousin play for Middleton at Brandon.

[Last modified December 4, 2007, 00:51:19]