OAKLEY, Calif. — Freedom senior Giles Jackson committed to the University of Michigan last week, and his big play late in the game showed why he was a highly recruited receiver by top schools across the nation.
Although Jackson didn’t have the most receptions Friday night, he made the biggest catch when Joey Aguilar sent a soaring 49 yard pass, and with double coverage on him the entire night, Jackson managed to take the ball away from Antioch defensive back Devonyae McClay.
“The corner was playing inside and the safety was playing on top of me. I stepped on the corners toes and got to the outside,” Jackson said. “The safety originally had it in his hand but I took it out of his hand as I was going down.”
It set up a one yard game winning touchdown pass from Jake Byrne to Brett Bausola that gave Freedom the 14-7 lead with 4:47 left.
But it meant more than just gaining a lead.
Prior to the Jackson 49 yard catch, the game had been delayed after Freedom’s Colby Hunter suffered an injury that left him on the floor for close to 20 minutes, and had to be taken off the field via ambulance and was transported to a medical facility via helicopter.
As the airplane lifted from the adjacent basin, the players pointed at their brother.
“That motivates us a lot. We wanted to win the game for him.” Jackson said.
Antioch was in position to make a comeback. After a well executed punt by Omar Curiel that landed at Freedom’s four yard line, the Antioch defense prevented them from converting the first down.
Antioch got the ball back, but it was sophomore Rocco Borelli that came in at quarterback after started Willem Karnthong went down with an injury. Borelli threw pass into the hands of Freedom’s Ziare Williams, which sealed the deal for the Falcons on their homecoming night, improving to 5-1 and upsetting Antioch who were ranked No. 3 in the Prep2prep NCS rankings.
“We’ll live it up tonight,” head coach Andrew Cotter said. “Were going to go back to work and understand that this is a grinder. You gotta wake up in the morning, put this behind you and get ready for the next one.”
Freedom got on the board early in the first quarter, when Jaimier Parker caught a 16 yard touchdown pass from Aguilar. Parker and Aguilar were like bread and butter, connecting five times throughout the night.
Antioch did retaliate later in the half as Karnthong scored on a five yard keeper.
The Panthers came into the game with two of its best starters banged up. Karnthong has the stomach flu and was reportedly throwing up before the game, according to head John Lucido. In addition, his hot target Gaudie Campbell was dealing with a foot injury. Despite that, between Karnthong and Campbell, they combined for 78 yards.
Unfortunately for Antioch, its undefeated season stops at the same place where it’s season ended last year.
“We just couldn’t move the ball,” Lucido said. “We gotta learn to get better from here.”
Jackson saw many carries last year for the Falcons but after transitioning more as a slot receiver, Roy Lee has been taking most of the carries. He ended the night with 127 rushing yards.
Freedom will play another undefeated opponent, Liberty, in the Bell Game next, while Antioch will clash with Heritage.
