Whether it's four-star junior quarterback
Landon Duckworth throwing a perfect spiral or five-star sophomore running back
Ezavier Crowell taking the handoff and bursting through the hole for a touchdown, every time the ball is snapped at
Jackson (Ala.), something special has a chance to happen.
Crowell is the No. 1-rated running back in the Class of 2027 by
247Sports and has already put up numbers worthy of an entire career. As a freshman he ran for 1,737 yards and 25 touchdowns. This year, the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder already has 1,112 yards with 15 touchdowns on just 93 carries.
Duckworth is the No. 7-rated quarterback in the Class of 2026 and has thrown for 1,748 yards and 18 touchdowns. On the ground the 6-foot-3, 195-pound bulldozer has an additional 329 rushing yards for five touchdowns.
The duo is lightning quick. In the Class 4A state track and field championships in May, Crowell and Duckworth were part of a 4x100 meter relay team that brought home the state crown. Duckworth also won a state title in basketball last season.
Five-star sophomore running back Ezavier Crowell, left, and four-star junior quarterback Landon Duckworth of Jackson (Ala.) get set before a snap against Saraland in August. (Photo: Brad Boland)
Now they are looking to do the same thing on the gridiron for the 7-1 Aggies. Jackson is ranked No. 13 in the entire state and No. 1 in 4A. The only loss this season was a 35-27 defeat at the hands of
Saraland, the No. 3 team in the state in the season opener.
With Jackson winning its seven games by an average of 29 points, Crowell has topped 10 carries just three times. Duckworth has only attempted 20 or more passes three times.
When they get their touches, they are electric. On Sept. 13 Crowell took 27 carries for 250 yards and a touchdown. A week later Duckworth completed 24 of his 31 passes for 535 yards and five touchdowns.
Crowell had 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries in the 55-16 win. Duckworth threw the ball 16 times and finished with 336 yards and four touchdowns while running for another score.
Just six days later Jackson was back on the field and the duo dominated again. Duckworth only needed 11 throws to put up 189 yards. Crowell had 191 rushing yards and turned three of his eight carries into touchdowns.
Duckworth took over as the starting quarterback near the end of his freshman year in 2022 and got a start in the postseason. The next year he was joined on varsity by Crowell, who ran for at least 100 yards in three of his first four games as a freshman.
Crowell's best game last fall was in a 42-21 win over Rivers and St. Michael Catholic when he ran for a career-high 304 yards and three touchdowns. Duckworth also chucked for three scores in the victory.
The Aggies made it to the quarterfinals of the 4A playoffs before a narrow 20-17 loss ended the 2023 season. In three playoff games Duckworth combined for six touchdowns while Crowell rushed for 482 yards and five scores.
Jackson will host W.S. Neal this Friday.
