The Jackson two create havoc
With a break Lake Balboa (Calif.) Birmingham could easily be undefeated at this juncture instead of 2-1. Birmingham's lone loss came against area rival Encino (Calif.) Crespi 20-6.
Crespi ended up the victor that night because L.J. Jones returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown and Crespi's UCLA bound safety E.J. Woods forced a fumble and scooped the pigskin and raced over 90 yards for the clinching score.
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Birmingham bounced back the following week with a huge upset over legendary Long Beach (Calif.) Poly in what is one of the best wins in Birmingham's history.
Birmingham was able to dominate Poly with their defensive front, especially off the edge, the territory of literally bookend defensive ends in twin brothers, Malik Jackson (6-4, 220, 4.7) and Marquis Jackson (6-4, 230, 4.9).
The Jackson two were all over the place impressing everyone in the audience including USC head coach Pete Carroll.
"Pete Carroll came out and watched the second half of the Poly game and was impressed," Birmingham coach Ed Croson said. "USC called the next day to check up on their status.
Both of the Jacksons would have plenty of offers right now except that they had some difficulty on the ninth and tenth grade so their academics are under review.
The twins have done a lot maturing on all levels and are much better students now. Malik Jackson has done such a great job rebounding in the classroom that he's in line to qualify so don't be surprised to see him receive quite a few offers as the season progresses.
Marquis Jackson still has some work to do academically, but the good news for both young men is they have made quantum leaps ahead in the classroom.
The twins are off to a fantastic start and have helped Birmingham to their impressive start so far in 2007.
In three games, Marquis Jackson has accounted for 19 tackles, four sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass deflections, while Malik Jackson has racked up 22 tackles, three sacks, two quarterback hurries, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery and one interception.
That's a lot of production for the Birmingham duo.
"They're basically the same player and that's good for us," Croson said. "They really provide us with a strong presence along the edge.
The twins are playing at the same high level in 2007 that saw them highly honored their junior season.
Marquis Jackson earned second-team all-league, second-team all-city and second-team all-area for his junior season performance after accounting for 50 tackles, eight sacks and five forced fumbles.
Malik Jackson earned first-team all-city, first-team all-area, and first-team all-league after accounting for 60 tackles, 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in 2006.
Malik was also first-team All-American US Army combine last January.
Malik Jackson has offers from Nevada and UNLV.
Both twins have garnered a lot of attention and it will be interesting to watch their recruitment as the season moves on.
Birmingham will take on another area powerhouse tonight when they host Notre Dame bound prospects, quarterback Dayne Crist and linebacker Anthony McDonald and their Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame teammates tonight in a nationally televised game at 8:00 PM PST.