Dandy Dozen: Issac Jackson (with VIDEO)

By ADAM PRUIETT

adamp@nwfdailynews.com

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS - Walton football coach Lenny Jankowski is fond of talking about Issac Jackson's "machine gun" feet.

Well, Jackson is also built like a bazooka and fast as a speeding bullet.

That lethal package of athletic talent, coupled with superior skill, was on full display last season when the tailback/linebacker earned Daily News small school Player of the Year honors after rushing for 1,321 yards and 14 touchdowns while also playing reliable defense.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound pound senior expects his encore to be even more impressive.

"I look at numbers," the 2008 Dandy Dozen selection said. "I plan on doing way better than I did last year."

How much better could he be?

"I tell myself that I am going to rush for 2,000 yards," Jackson said, "but I think what motivates me more is I tell myself I'm never going to go down, no matter what."

Defenses had a miserable time trying to get Jackson down last season, when he easily led the area with a 9.6 yards per carry average. They also had a hard time covering him, as Jackson led the Braves with 29 receptions for 352 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson again will be asked to offer more than just potent offensive production. Walton has some youth on defense, so he'll need to operate on that side of the ball as well after making 37 tackles last season.

"I'm in good enough shape," Jackson said. "Coach has us running a lot."

Try as he might, Jankowski can't hold back the ultimate praise when talking about Jackson.

"I hesitate to say this because I've been fortunate to have a lot of very good players that I've coached," he said, "but I consider Issac to be the best player I've ever coached."