James Jackson enjoying making plays for Peach County

Peach County running back James Jackson loves when a play is called for him in the huddle.

And after racking up 164 yards on just 16 carries in a win last week, the 6-foot junior is sure to have his number called again Friday as Peach County hosts Spencer in a GHSA Region 2-AAA contest.

“I play both sides of the ball, but I really just love being able to make a play,” Jackson said. “We have some very good players on both sides of the ball, and the offensive line makes everybody’s job easier. The coaches tell me to just keep running hard, and I do just that. We’re just trying to get better every day as a team right now.”

The game against Spencer (1-1) will be Peach County’s fourth home game of five in a row to start the season. The Green Wave are coming off their first victory of the season, a 21-0 decision over Northside-Columbus, and they boast a powerful combination in quarterback Khalil Thomas and running back Tyrell Smith.

Against Northside, Thomas completed 10-of-14 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while Smith carried the ball 25 times for 99 yards and also caught a pass out of the backfield.

“(Spencer is) very athletic and may be the most athletic team we see all year,” Peach County head coach Chad Campbell said. “We struggled with them last year, and they’re even better this year. We certainly have our work cut out for us, and just like every other week, we have to play sound fundamental football.”

But Peach County (2-1, 1-0 GHSA Region 2-AAA) rolls out a tough set of offensive weapons of its own in the trio of James Jackson, wide receiver, Kearis Jackson and dual-threat quarterback and Georgia commitment Tyrique McGhee.

McGhee has accounted for 276 yards and six touchdowns (four rushing and two passing). While Kearis Jackson has eight catches for 149 yards.

“I told James I expect a lot of big things out of him this year, and last week was just a glimpse, and that’s what I expect every week.,” Campbell said. “He is a gamebreaker who can do some special things out there. We have a few guys who can get the job done and make some plays, but it’s just a matter of executing it like we teach it.”

And while the Trojans have reeled off two straight wins since their opening loss of the season to Warner Robins, Campbell said his team is still a work in progress.

“We’re still trying to find that rhythm,” Campbell said. “We have done some things well in the past couple of games, but we still haven’t had the same 11 guys in a ballgame yet. We are still looking for that cohesiveness right now, but we’re working hard to get there.”