MOUNTULLA— Saturday morning, Joe Jackson was posing for the Salisbury Post
photographer. He produced a move that made coach Scott Young smile.
“He looked so good in Friday’s scrimmage,”
Young boasted. “He’s going to have a great year.”
Twelve hours later, Jackson was stopped cold for
the first time this preseason — but not by a defensive lineman.
Rather, by a collapsed lung.
As Young was bragging on his sophomore star while
taking in Saturday night’s Salisbury High School scrimmage, Jackson was
involved in a four-wheeler accident that might put him out for the season. He is
currently at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.
Jackson rushed for 890 yards last season as a
freshman. Young said he could turn to LaGrande Andrews or Robert Clement, as
well as utilizing quarterback Ben Hampton there some.
“You don’t replace him,” Young said. “He
was our starter and our best back. “But everyone else has to step up.
“The cupboard’s not entirely empty but it
hurts.”
The players were told Monday, he said, but added
that most of them knew already.
Young has talked to several specialists on how
much time Jackson might miss. He has heard everything from 4-to-6 weeks, 6-to-8
weeks and has also heard the worst scenario. It might be a season-ending injury.
Young’s first thoughts, of course, are with his
star’s health. He has visited Jackson in the hospital.
“He’s very disappointed,” Young said.
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