They call Hendrickson High’s Damarion Jackson T.J. because his middle name starts with the letter ‘T’. After his performance last Friday in the bi-district playoffs, they might want to start calling him T.D.

Jackson, a junior, crossed the goal line three times for the Hawks in their 29-0 victory over Travis. He also rushed for 144 yards and, at least temporarily, made the Hendrickson faithful forget that star running back Kenny Williams had injured his foot in the game.

“I knew they would depend on me a lot,” Jackson said. “I was expecting Kenny to do good.”

“T.J. did a good job running the offense,” Hawk coach Chip Killian said. “With all of them flying to our running backs it created good opportunities for T.J. He even pulled some double duty at running back on several plays.”

The injury to Williams was certainly nothing Jackson nor anyone on the Hawk sideline was expecting. However, once it happened, Jackson knew what he had to do.

“I knew I had to step up,” he said.

Jackson’s accomplishments against Travis are made all the more impressive by the fact he did not make his first start at quarterback until the team’s final regular season game of the year against Killeen. Stepping into the role on a team with high expectations was not something that was lost on him.

“I hadn’t really led a team as a quarterback before,” he said. “It’s been a good experience. The coaches have gotten me prepared and my teammates have helped me step up and take that leadership role. It’s been cool.”

Jackson first played organized tackle football when he was 8-years old. His father had played football at Taylor and he said he wanted him to follow in his footsteps.

“My dad wanted me to grow up and be just like him,” he laughed.

From those beginnings Jackson’s passion for the game has blossomed.

“The emotion the game puts out,” he said. “I love doing it. It’s my first love.”

While he still has one more year of high school ball ahead of him, Jackson says he hopes to continue playing in college. For now he is focused on helping the Hawks get past Tivy.

“I feel like I owe it to the seniors,” he said of beating Tivy. “We are playing for the seniors. We have to come together and play as a team.”

Editor’s note: The Hawks lost 63-56 to Kerrville Tivy on Friday. Jackson rushed for 135 yards and three more scores. He passed for one more touchdown in the game.