Re: Edison Football
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Another player on Edison 86
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Date: January 04, 2014 06:20AM
I was good friends with many on the 1986 team as well as also played on the team. It has been a while thinking of these guys.
Yes, Jerry Jackson was a player that could kick field goals to some degree but his strength was in punting and as a coverage corner. Good size and speed made him a division one prospect. I believe grades were his achilles heel if I remember correctly. Did not run with the wrong crowds and a very likeable person as a player and friend. Never caught up in controversies. Jerry could punt the ball in a way that the ball spiraled 60 yards plus. The punts were a thing of beauty. I do not believe that he was ever blocked on any of his punts either in any games. Just seemed to know how fast to get that ball off with good hang time. If any of you remember the punter Reggie Roby from the Miami Dolphins, this is Jerry Jackson to a tee.
In regards to the 1986 team EHS Alumni, you are correct. There were several players that were good on that team for sure. On defense, clearly Dan Eisel and Brian King were the strong players. To me, Dan was an enigma to say the least. There are so many talented players that can go all the way to the top and for some stupid reason or another something gets in the way. Very blessed in terms of talent, size, weight and strength. All you wanted in a division one player. Dan was a player that started JV and played varsity as a freshman. Played Freshman, sophomore and Junior year as starter on Varsity. Had many sacks every year he played and had he stayed his senior year would have been all american for sure. The performance that he put in the championship game was astounding especially from the defensive tackle position. Having played with him on the team, I would say he was consistent game in and game out. I have seen many multiple sack games over the three years that I played and knew him. I once saw him take down the running back and the quarterback in a game with Herndon at the same time. He also never had grade problems that I am aware of. His problem was one that many of us can relate to, A serious relationship too young in life. You know how it is sometimes with young guys and their first really serious relationship sometimes... It ended up causing him to move to graduate early from what I remember. Took his senior year classes at night school and summer school during his junior year. I can verify that he was very higly recruited by Ohio State University etc. and had a full scholarship sent over the summer of 1987 to go there. Due to the complexity of the situation with the girl, he ended up going close to home as relationship apparently dictated such. He ended up going to play at West Virginia University on scholarship and that is the last I heard. I suspect sadly that this situation ended up affecting his career in football as he dropped off the map. Sad. He was really good.
Brian King is a player that is very underated. Not a huge player in terms of size or strength but one that was complemented with speed and smarts. Good grades too. Actually, quite brainy in math and science from what I remember. Brian was a very good defensive end that had excellent closing speed and wrapped up good on tackles. Had Brian had another year and put on say, another 20 pounds in weight, I suspect he would have had schools all over the country on his doorstep too. It seemed that as the season went along, Brian matured into the end position and grew more resolute. I wish he had one more year to play as I suspect he would have been all american as well.
Other players on the 1986 team that really stood out were:
Greg Jones- Linebacker. Undersized in terms of weight but good strength and speed. Practiced really hard and played as hard. Laid a good hit on contact with running backs and not afraid to put whole body into the hit on contact either.
Mike Buchanon- Here is a name I forgot and did not do justice to him. Undersized, average strength. Effort was 100% and if he hit a running back had great fundamentals and did not lose many of the tackes he gave. Had he been only a bit taller and heavier. Very smart and great at reading offenses.
Mike Spitaleri- Deserves honerable mention despite not being on the 86 team. Very hard hitting linbacker. Played in the 84 and 85 seasons. Would have come back in 86 but I believe a knee injury knocked him out. Sad as he had excellent size, weight and strength to play on the next level.
Greg Redding- I would have to agree that Greg was a great player. Just two more inches in height and could have gone to the next level as well I believe. Excellent wrestler and great weight and strength. Excellent low attack point at the line of scrimmage. Any defensive lineman would have to come in low against him or he would pancake you. Would have played excellent at defensive tackle also.
I would be interested in knowing what happened with him.
Dan Peyton- Good player. Average strength. Excellent height. Good motor at the end position. Had good game smarts and good in the classroom. I am not sure I would rank him above Eisel and King in the listings of the top players to come through the school.
Jeff Turner- I have to mention him if no one else has. Undersized. Strong. Excellent low center of gravity. If this guy had been 6 inches taller, would have been a major college player. Very smart and one of the hardest players. Perhaps he felt that since he was short, he had to work harder at things. I can assure you that he worked his butt off. Not a great player by the stats but a steady hard working guy for sure. He has my deep respect.
Hope this info helps out.