As a smaller quarterback, Marist’s Dontrell Jackson Jr. has always played with a chip on his shoulder.
That has not gone away for the 6-foot, 190-pound senior, even after becoming a star who has committed to Coastal Carolina.
“I want to prove I’m one of the best quarterbacks in the nation,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been disrespected a lot because of my height — short quarterbacks and all that.
“But if you put in the work, the time and the effort, you can do whatever you want.”
Jackson showed all he can do Friday night, throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns and running for 88 yards and another TD as the host RedHawks rolled to a 45-7 victory over Richards.
“What’s great about Dontrell is, yeah, he’s going to Coastal Carolina, but he’s here,” Marist coach Ron Dawczak said. “He’s not thinking ahead at all. This is what his love is, his passion. It’s great to see him play on Friday nights in front of a packed house.”
Jackson and senior receiver Ak’Tavion Agee put Marist (2-0) ahead of the Richards (1-1) on the first play from scrimmage, connecting on a 69-yard TD pass.
“Last week, we came out a little slow against Curie,” Jackson said. “We went three-and-out our first drive. This week, we wanted to come out with our hair on fire right away.
“There was a lot of talk from Richards. They said a lot of disrespectful things to us and we took it very personally.”
Agee, who transferred from St. Rita before his junior season, is getting his first shot to start with Marist after playing sparingly in the spring. He had five catches for 131 yards, all in the first half.
“I love playing with him,” Agee said of Jackson. “As soon as I transferred, we were on the field the day of, just getting some work in. We’ve been able to grow our bond.”
As quickly as Marist scored, Richards answered even faster. Donnie Burton returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a TD to force a 7-7 tie just 23 seconds into the first quarter.
Those were the only points the Bulldogs scored, however. Senior linebacker Jimmy Rolder led a dominant defense for Marist with several big plays, including an interception return for a TD.
“We have eight new starters on defense, and for them to come out and play the way they did against Richards, I’m proud of them,” Dawczak said. “I think what really has helped is the competition.
“With eight new starting spots open, those guys have been going hard in practice pushing each other.”
Jaylen Johnson, who ran 15 times for 76 yards, had TD runs of 6 and 11 yards in the first half to help the RedHawks open up a 24-7 halftime lead.
Jackson threw a 16-yard TD pass to Conor O’Mara and ran for a 19-yard TD in the second half.
“We have a lot of young guys, so we need to build them up and build their confidence up,” Jackson said. “So far, it’s been great. Those guys are playing great.”
James Burford completed 7 of 17 passes for Richards, including a 48-yard pass to Santiago Rios.
Jordan Tooles had a sack for the Bulldogs, who turned the ball over on downs in Marist territory four times, including three times inside the RedHawks’ 25.
“Marist is a very good team,” Richards coach Tony Sheehan said. “They’re very disciplined. If we make a couple plays, maybe it’s a 24-21 game at halftime.
“We moved the ball and had chances. It just got away from us. I don’t think that score really reflects where we’re at.
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
