Pasco's Leon Jackson taking the fast track

PASCO — The trick when watching Leon Jackson carry a football is not to blink.

If you do, and Jackson has already sprinted out of your field of vision, check the end zone.

Jackson, a junior running back, has scored 36 touchdowns this season and is the quick reason why Pasco is back in the Class 4A state-title game for the fourth time in the last six years.

Pasco (12-1) advanced to the title game against Ballard (11-2) with a 24-6 victory over Evergreen of Vancouver in the semifinals. In that game, Jackson rushed for 221 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns while also playing safety on the Pasco defense.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Jackson's long, smooth stride already has helped him win two state 100-meter championships in track.

"Maybe it's just because my form is getting better," he said, "but I do feel like I am getting faster."

As a freshman, Jackson won the 100 in 10.93 seconds. Last year he won it in 10.74.

The most difficult sprint of Jackson's life came in February when he transferred across the Columbia River from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick to Pasco.

Jackson grew up in the Tri-Cities attending Kennewick schools when he lived with his father, Leon Jackson Sr., in Kennewick. He stayed at Kamiakin even after he moved in with his mother, Deborah Wright, in nearby Pasco.

"It just got too hard on me, and for my family to get me back and forth every day," Jackson said. "It was hard to leave Kamiakin, but I feel very comfortable in Pasco. I just fit right in."

His adjustment to Pasco football has been spectacular, his speed adding one more weapon to an already strong program.

In seven seasons as the head coach at Pasco, Steve Graff has compiled a 70-13 record that includes state titles in 1998 and 2000 and a second-place finish in 2001.

Graff said he was shocked when he first heard Jackson might transfer across the river.

"His dad contacted me after they had already decided to make the move," Graff said. "He wanted to know if Leon would get a fair shake. I told him if Leon was the best player, he'd play. If not, he wouldn't."

Jackson made his Pasco debut with four touchdowns and 103 yards against Kennewick, an opening salvo in a season that has seen him gain 1,809 yards on 211 carries.

"He's been a pleasure to have on our side," Graff said. "He has the ability to score every time he touches the football."

Kamiakin coach Craig Beverlin, who admitted it was hard to lose his star player, said Jackson is even faster than he looks.

"He's electrifying, a home run waiting to happen," Beverlin said. "People just don't realize how fast he is and he's a football player who runs track, not a track star who plays football. He's a big kid and getting bigger and can really lay a lick on you."

The adjustment of changing schools and leaving friends behind had a few bumps.

Jackson missed practice and was suspended for a half when Pasco lost to Kamiakin 32-15 during the regular season.

"He was way too fired up about it," Graff said. "He was much better in the second game. It wasn't nearly as big a deal to him."

Pasco beat Kamiakin 13-7 in the quarterfinals, Jackson scoring the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard run.

Graff said Jackson's potential is nearly unlimited on either side of the ball.

"He can play anywhere he wants; he's that fast," Graff said. "He can do a lot of things on the football field."

Jackson, who also plays basketball, would like to play college football and hopes to continue wearing a purple uniform, with the Washington Huskies.

"UW is at the top of the list because I have family in Seattle and my sister graduated from there," Jackson said. "My favorite running back would have to be Corey Dillon. I really looked up to him when I was younger and he played at UW."

Jackson knows he might have to get bigger to play college football.

"Right now I'm working on getting bigger and stronger," he said.

Jackson thinks the key to Pasco's success is teamwork.

"We really stick together and are there for each other," Jackson said. "It would be really cool to win a team title, so it won't be just me celebrating. If we go out and play hard, we've got a shot."