Calvin Davenport III , No. 2, practices with teammates at Brainerd High School.Brainerd football coach Stanley Jackson dressed 27 players for the Panthers’ Oct. 13 game at Red Bank, and a fourth of those were freshmen, three of them in starting roles.
That’s a danger sign in Class 4A football.
“If would love it if we weren’t in a position where those freshmen had to play — if I was in a position where I can play those freshmen [only] if I want,” Jackson said.
He didn’t want his wants to be misconstrued.
“I want to send a message that Coach Jackson is going to play talent and if you’re good enough, even as a freshman, you will get the opportunity to play right away,” he said.