ST. JAMES RECAP: Jackson wows as Trojans win first title
St. James junior quarterback KJ Jackson set several school records while leading the Trojans to the 3A state title on Thursday. (Marvin Gentry)
By TIM GAYLE
AUBURN -- The St. James Trojans won their first football state title during the school’s 50th anniversary season after an incredible second-half comeback to beat defending state champ Piedmont, 45-28, on Thursday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Trojans, now in their 11th season with Jimmy Perry as the head coach, have finally reached the pinnacle of Alabama high school football by winning their first state title.
“It only took me 43 years to get a championship,” Perry joked after the game. “I’ve been blessed and it's been a great journey with this program. This moment was the sweetest of them all.”
Junior quarterback KJ Jackson helped his team take control of the game by throwing for 283 yards and five touchdowns in the second half to rally from a 10-point halftime deficit. In all, Jackson completed 10 of 15 attempts for 351 yards.
The stats tell a story of two halves with the Trojans unable to stop the run in the first half, allowing three rushing touchdowns by Piedmont senior quarterback Jackson Hayes.
However, the Trojans came out of the locker room with an offensive frenzy in the second half, with Jackson completing touchdown passes of 21, 48 and 57 yards to score 21 unanswered points in turning a 10-point deficit into an 11-point lead.
“In the first half, I came out real slow, and honestly, it was a little bit of nerves,” said Jackson. “But once we went into halftime, everybody put faith in me, the line gave me some more time, and it was all up from there.”
Jackson gave credit to this year’s senior class and talked about what they meant to him and the team.
“There’s no better group of seniors out there; the seniors have been the root of this team for three years,” said Jackson. “Their hard work paid off and they got it done tonight, and I’m so thankful to be a part of this team and to help them get to this point.”
Jackson was named the 3A state championship most valuable player and set several school records in the process:
Jackson’s 93-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Beard on the third play of the fourth quarter, which put the Trojans in control, was the longest touchdown pass in school history.
Jackson’s five touchdown passes ties the single-game record held by Brett Gantt (2003).
Jackson’s 42 touchdown passes in 2022 and his 87 career touchdown passes are both school records.
Jackson’s 351-yard performance against Piedmont is the best single-game performance in St. James’ history.
Jackson’s 2,835 passing yards this season are the most in school history.
Jackson’s 67.3 completion percentage this season is the highest in school history, slightly better than his completion rate of 66.4 percent in 2021.
After the game, Perry was asked for his evaluation of his record-setting quarterback.
“He’s certainly special and he’s got another year to go, but some college is going to get an absolute jewel, and he doesn’t get flustered…he’s very calm and collected, and ready for the next play,” said Perry. “He’s a lot like how AJ McCarron was at Alabama; he knows where to distribute the ball based on coverage.”
Jackson will have two of his three top targets, Ziggy Holloway and Clint Houser, back next season as he attempts to build on his record-setting season.