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Jackson Returns, Carries Hawks

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2007

TAMPA - The last place Mywan Jackson wanted to see Friday night was the bench, but for the second consecutive week that's where he found himself. Only this time, Armwood's junior quarterback was there for all the right reasons.

Jackson made his debut and turned in an impressive performance under center, accounting for 208 yards of total offense before taking a seat with the Hawks comfortably ahead. However, Jackson - and the rest of the Hawks offense, for that matter - was upstaged by a relentless Armwood defense that limited Wharton to negative-4 total yards in a 44-2 rout at Mitchell D. Muley Stadium.

But it was Jackson, one of the eight Armwood players suspended for the season opener against Plant for skipping a morning class, who led Armwood (2-0) out of the gates quickly. And he did it in a way the Hawks didn't show in Week 1 - through the air.

On Armwood's opening drive, four of the five plays were designed passes. Jackson was 3-for-3 on that first drive (he was sacked once) and capped it with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dykerius Cross, another one of the Hawks players suspended last week.

Jackson finished 11-for-19 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, the second a 24-yarder to Rob Jones, who replaced Jackson at quarterback last week. He also rushed for a team-best 38 yards on nine carries.

'We didn't play last week, so we had to show everybody what we've got,' Jackson said. 'It felt real good to get back on the field. But you haven't seen the best yet. I just got warm.'

While Jackson may have only been warm, the defense, which tallied seven sacks, was on fire. And that was without standout senior lineman Sergio Joyner, who missed the game and will be out an additional three weeks after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee in last week's win against the Panthers.

And for Wharton (1-1), it was a night to forget.

Of Wharton's 13 possessions, only once did the Wildcats run more than three offensive plays before having to punt. The Wildcats offense tallied only 25 yards in the first half, but it only got worse from there, as the team was held to negative-29 yards in the second half.

Ironically, Wharton's only first down came in the second half, at the 11:08 mark in the third quarter when the Hawks were flagged for pass interference. Coincidentally, it was Coach Sean Callahan's son Casey, a junior linebacker, on the infraction.

'That's right,' Sean Callahan said, laughing. 'He mugged that kid that time.'

Other than two notable miscues on special teams, including the one that led to Wharton's only points, it seemed a perfect night for the Hawks.

'I'm really kind of happy where we are as a team right now,' Callahan said.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or

A-Eastman 3 run (Williams kick)

W-Safety, Armwood penalty in end zone

A-FG Williams 44

A-Eastman 1 run

A-R. Jones 24 pass from Jackson (Williams kick)

A-E. Smith 7 run (Williams kick)

A-McWilliams 27 run (No kick)

aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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