By Robert Wilson

Lanier High has been known for decades as a boys basketball powerhouse with an MHSAA record 17 state titles and plenty of Division I players who have been stars at the Maple Street school in mid-town Jackson.

Now, there’s a rising young star on Lanier’s football team and if he keeps doing what he did Friday night, dozens of Division I coaches want him to come to his school.

Jeremiah Wilson is his name and running the football is his game.

The 5-foot-10, 181-pound sophomore running back gained a career-high 324 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead Lanier to its first win of the season, a 33-8 victory over South Pike Friday in a Class 4A, Region 6 game in Magnolia.

For his outstanding performance, Wilson has been named the Junction Deli Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.

Wilson scored on runs of 40 and 35 yards for Lanier, which had lost 15 of its last 16 games before winning Friday.

“Jeremiah is a tough runner who is hard to bring down,” Lanier coach Mike Ashford said. “He is strong. Jeremiah is one of our best lifters on our powerlifting team that won our division last year. He made it to South State last year as a freshman. Jeremiah’s best squat is 365 pounds. He lives to work out. Jeremiah is a student of the game. He is always trying to learn more. Jeremiah is a good listener. He is a humble and quiet young man. Jeremiah is on the honor roll and was named Mr. Sophomore Class this year.”

Wilson has gained 693 yards and scored four TDs and three 2-point conversions this season for 1-8 Lanier.

Wilson played behind Christopher Jones last season as a freshman. Jones set a school record with 375 yards and six TDs against Wingfield in the last game of last season.

“Jeremiah played in all three of our junior varsity games and then played backup to Christopher last season,” Ashford said. “Jeremiah is a quick learner and watched Christopher. He was ready when he got a chance to play last year.”

Lanier plays its last regular season game Thursday against winless Jackson Public Schools foe Wingfield at South Jackson Field.