By Robert Wilson
Clinton High has won its first three region games since high school All-American Cam Akers – now with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL – led the Arrows to the state championship in 2016.
Clinton senior running back Jakobe Calvin should get a lot the credit for the great region start after putting up some Cam Akers-like numbers, especially last week.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Calvin gained 176 yards on 28 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead Clinton to a 38-31 victory over defending MHSAA Class 6A state champion Madison Central in a key 6A, Region 2 game to break the Jaguars’ 16-game home winning streak.
For his outstanding performance, Calvin has been named the Junction Deli Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
Calvin – a member of the PriorityOne Bank Metro Jackson Preseason Elite 11 Team – had TD runs of 17, 5 and 1 yards to help Clinton rebound from a 17-9 halftime deficit against Madison Central.
It was Calvin’s second consecutive big rushing game. He had 195 yards and two TDs in a 35-28 region win over Starkville.
Calvin has 719 yards and 13 TDs and caught 10 passes for 103 yards and one TD this season for Clinton, 4-2 overall and 3-0 in region play, tied with Tupelo for first place.
“I think Jakobe is the most versatile back in the state…period,” Clinton coach Judd Boswell said. “He has been very consistent for two years.”
“Jakobe is a cowboy. He wears boots to school and ride horses. Jakobe is country strong,” Brandon offensive coordinator Tyler Peterson said. “He gets better as the games along. In the fourth quarter, everybody knew Jakobe was getting the ball and they still couldn’t stop him. He makes me proud that he’s on our side.”
Calvin gained 902 yards on 172 carries and scored 15 TDs for the 6-5 Arrows last season as a junior. He also caught six passes for 152 yards and one TD.
“Jakobe started at a true freshman his first game and had three TDs and ended up getting hurt the next week in practice,” Boswell said. “He fought the injury bug for two years. Jakobe is a grinder in the weight room.”
Clinton visits Oxford, 3-3 and 1-2, Friday in a region game.
