Heading into Week 1, senior wide receiver Destin Talbert was expected to be Hinsdale South’s biggest offensive playmaker. He was the team’s top target as a junior and has received multiple scholarship offers.
Talbert’s big-play ability showed in the Hornets’ season-opening win against Prospect, as he caught six balls for 114 yards and a touchdown.
But as is the case with most top receiving targets, defenses have started to key in on stopping Talbert. Lyons did just that in Week 2.
“I just do whatever I can do (to get open),” said Talbert, a Darien resident. “But ultimately when it comes to that, it becomes more of a team effort. Everybody else has to step up and make plays.”
The Hornets lost 31-7 to the Lions, but quarterback Justin Kolzow might have found a second player to step up.
Senior CJ Jackson caught 8 passes for 68 yards in Friday’s loss. Four of those catches went for first downs. In Week 1, he had only one catch, but it was a 15-yard touchdown.
“We knew they were going to close down Destin Talbert,” said Jackson, a Willowbrook resident. “I knew somebody had to step up, so I just had to get the job done.”
Jackson, a 5-foot-10 speedster, is at his best when he can get the ball in space and force defenders to tackle him in the open field. When he’s playing like he has early in the season, it will take pressure off Talbert.
“CJ’s been making those plays, he’s been making catches. Last week he made that touchdown (catch). He’s been doing big things,” Talbert said. “(Defenses) have to think about everything then. It just adds a little extra to our offense.”
Jackson came into the season as a relative unknown. He said he’s hoping to change that while helping the Hornets (1-1).
“It means a lot to me, the fact that I’m not known, I’m trying to make a name for myself,” he said. “I come in as an underdog, so I have something to prove.”
Jakub Rudnik is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
