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12/06/2018 11:00 PMJackson Seward has been making an impact on both sides of the ball for the Branford football squad since stepping on the varsity field as a freshman. Jackson, a running back/linebacker, finished his high-school career by totaling more than 1,000 rushing yards and topping 200 tackles. This fall, the senior captain earned All-SCC Tier 3 honors at linebacker for the second straight year, while helping the Hornets secure their first winning record since 2009.
Jackson started playing football at a young age in Branford. He says that his love for the sport has continued to grow with every season.
“As I kept playing each year, I started to like it more. It became a grind, and I loved every part of it. Going to practice every day, being committed to something—it was all so great to me. Being a part of something so great meant a lot,” says Jackson. “I was in the gym a lot, and that’s what really got me started. I loved working out, and it helped me on the field. It made me really good athletically, and made it so much more fun to play.”
Jackson led Branford as the team’s lone senior captain this year. Jackson started stepping up as a leader last season and continued guiding the Hornets on the gridiron as a senior.
“Last year, we were in the locker room after a loss, and nobody was talking. That really bothered me, so I told myself I had to step up, so I did. Ever since then, I took on a leadership role,” Jackson says. “I want guys to work hard, and I like to lead by example. I did my best to make sure everyone was focused all the time. That was my main thing. I didn’t like when kids would goof off in practice, so I’d be on them about that, and I wanted everyone to keep a good attitude.”
Head Coach John Limone says that Jackson has always displayed great aptitude when it comes to learning the sport of football. Limone adds that Jackson also features the demeanor that every coach wants to see from a leader.
“His ability is one thing, but he also has a high football IQ. He understands game-plans and had a lot of experience for the younger guys to draw on. He was a ferocious tackler and, at times, it looked like he was on a blitz, but we were in our base defense. He was just that tremendous at reading his keys. He’s one of the best defensive players we’ve had,” says Limone. “For a kid that’s as skilled as he is naturally, he’s also very coachable...He’s trying to improve all the time. He took it very seriously.”
Jackson made 78 tackles to go along with two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery as a linebacker this season. Jackson made a living slicing through opposing offensive lines in order to take down running backs. As a result, he garnered All-SCC accolades in both his junior and senior years.
“When I’m reading the line and I see a hole open up, a light goes off, and I run through as fast as I can and go for the guys with the ball. I hit really hard and have quickness off the ball,” says Jackson. “That, my aggressiveness, and my hard-working attitude made me a good linebacker.”
Jackson played both tailback and fullback in Branford’s offense. Jackson hardly ever left the field, but his strict workout regimen ensured that he was always ready for battle.
“In the offseason, I keep a schedule, so I work out every day in the summer to prepare myself for that,” he says. “There’s not much else I can do, but I had to do it to make sure I have a full gas tank.”
Jackson helped Branford notch a record of 6-4 this year following a 20-3 victory versus rival East Haven in its season finale. It means a lot to Jackson that he contributed to such a memorable year in his final campaign as a Hornet.
“What I’ve been saying is I left better than when I came in. When I came in, we were 5-5, and I left at 6-4,” says Jackson. “It definitely feels great to be a senior class leaving the team off on a good note. If they progress, you can say, ‘I helped start that.’ It’s really a great feeling to think about.”