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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Maplesville High School cornerback Jakavion Jackson is this week’s athlete of the week for his performance in the Red Devils 51-14 win over Billingsley High School on Oct. 7.

Jackson, who earned AOW honors on Sept. 14 for his 263-yard, four touchdown game against Notasulga High School, had arguably the best defensive game from a corner in Chilton County this season on Oct. 7. Jackson snagged three interceptions against Billingsley and had three and a half tackles to help Maplesville clinch a spot in the ASHAA Class 1A state playoffs for the 19th consecutive season.

“We are trying to simplify things, so the kids do not have to think as much,” Maplesville coach Brad Abbott said after the Red Devils 36-0 win over Autaugaville High School on Sept. 30. “It has been paying dividends for us, and they are playing together on defense.”

Since then, the Jackson and the Maplesville defense has only gotten better. Jackson’s first two interceptions came at the right times for Maplesville. Just before the first pick, Billingsley cut the lead down to 22-8 midway through the second quarter. The Bears were driving near midfield when Jackson intercepted a pass and took it over 50 yards the other way for a touchdown.

Jackson’s second interception came in the end zone on the last play of the first half. Billingsley was trying to end the half with a touchdown sitting at the doorstep of the Maplesville end zone. However, Jackson read the quarterback’s eyes perfectly and stepped in front of the receiver in the front corner of the end zone to end the Bears threat.

His third interception also came in the end zone after Billingsley’s second touchdown of the game directly after halftime to make it 43-14. After the score, the Bears elected to go for the two-point conversion, but Jackson read the eyes of the quarterback well again to prevent points going on the scoreboard.

Maplesville, who received votes in the Alabama Sports Writers Association Rankings Class 1A Top 10 last week, could break into the top 10 this week. If so, the Red Devils will have a top 10 matchup with No. 8 and unbeaten Loachapoka High School at home on Oct. 14.

 

Honorable mention: Rashard Childers, Chilton County High School

 

No athlete enjoys being on the losing end of a game, but if there was a silver lining in Chilton County High School’s 31-10 loss to Homewood High School on Oct. 7, it would be senior running back Rashard Childers.

Childers was a workhorse for the Tigers carrying the ball 33 times against the Patriots, and many of those runs going between the tackles. Childers piled up 175 yards rushing, his highest output in the 2022 season, and got into the end zone for a score.

Oct. 7 was Childers third 100 plus rushing yard game this season, and the senior is averaging 102.4 yard per game this season.