Windsor, behind the running of QB Joe Sanger, dominated the early part of their quarterfinal matchup against #1 seed Pueblo West, but in the second half West and star RB Derek Jackson scored 37 unanswered points to move to the 4A semis.
Spearheading this second half onslaught that culminated in a 50-27 victory for undefeated Pueblo West was senior RB Derek Jackson. Once again, the 5-9 180 back crossed the 300 yard barrier. In the midst of one of the most prolific, if not the most prolific rushing season in Colorado prep football history, Jackson has now gone for 300 or more yards in five straight games and has eclipsed the 3,000 yard mark for the season.
Most impressive regarding Jackson’s performance is that it came against a Windsor team known for defense and filled with talented and experienced players. Previous to Friday night, the most points surrendered by Windsor in a single game was 17. Also adding to Jackson’s legend was the 45 carries against Windsor. A powerful young man, Jackson at 180 pounds is by no measure big.
Next week, in the 4A semifinals Pueblo West will match its rugged run first style against the epitome of rugged, run first teams as they face Monarch High School, a winner against Vista Ridge in the quarters.