Nearly a week has passed since Gardena Serra defeated the Lompoc Braves to end California's longest active HS varsity football winning streak of 32 games, but Jackson and the Cavaliers have all but forgotten about their team's historic victory.
"Practice has definitely been a different focus. We have to forget about the win against Lompoc. If we lose this game I don't think people will remember that we ended their 32-game winning streak, but that we lost to Chaminade."
Jackson has proved that he is beyond his years in both demeanor and playing-ability. Throughout the season we've had the pleasure of watching Adoree' Jackson up-close and personal in games against Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), Long Beach Poly, Narbonne, Santa Monica and St. Francis. It's safe to say that we knew Adoree' was a 5-star recruit before the hype. Trust us. There is no hype when it comes to "Adoree Knows" and now the world believes it.
Things became more of a reality for the talent junior several days ago when he was surprised by a visit from Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly on the campus of Gardena Serra High School.
"That made me feel overwhelmed. It made me feel happy and excited too. With them being the number one team in the nation, playing in the BCS Championship bowl coming up. The after the period came, they were the first team (Notre Dame) to come and talk to me and also meeting the head coach (Brian Kelly) was amazing," Adoree' told CLA Sports yesterday.
"I didn't really know until Dwight told me that they were coming. He told me that they were coming to talk to him, so I thought they were just coming and were going to talk to Dwight," Jackson revealed.
"I was going into class and our coach.. (Scott) Altenberg is one of my teachers and I saw him and he said Coach Brian Kelly and I didn't know he was talking about the Notre Dame Head Coach because I thought he was just going to talk to Dwight."
In one of the first stops since the open contact period began on Nov. 25 for Division I football recruiting, Jackson was pleased with Notre Dame's interest and is confident that an official offer may be coming soon.
"I went in there and they came and talked to me. They said they liked my game and like how I'm looking and to just keep working hard. They're probably going to offer me soon. They said they're going to watch film first and probably watch the game on Friday. They didn't really say what they want to see me do or see anything from me. They said they're going to watch film, they didn't really say what they want to see me do," said Jackson.
Tomorrow night's rematch against Chaminade is next up for the Serra Cavaliers and Jackson is focused on the task at hand. The junior play-maker is the quintessential teammate and wants to do whatever he can to propel his squad to victory.
"I'm just going to be doing the same thing I've always been doing. When I get the ball in my hands I'm going to try to make plays and I don't want to let my team down," said Jackson.
Jackson says that there won't be major changes in the gameplan or playbook on Friday night. "We're just going to keep doing what we've been doing. We're going to use our playmakers. We have myself, Darrell Fuery, Marques Rodgers and Malik Roberson in the run game, and that's deadly because if you try to stop the run we'll go up to the air game."
After a major-setback to the Cavaliers this season in the form of senior running back Anterio "Taz" Bateman going down with an ankle-injury, Jackson says he's proud of how the team has stepped up to account for the loss of one of their team captains.
"A big player who's been stepping it up is Malik Roberson, just being a sophomore. Malik just handled everything the right way. It was nice to see him come out and perform like he's been doing," Jackson told CLA.
In reference to playing together at the collegiate level, Adoree' Jackson, Dwight Williams and junior quarterback Jalen Greene have big dreams.
"We talk about it all the time. Me, Dwight and Jalen. Every time we see a school on TV, we joke and say 'do you wanna go there?' I think we will when it comes time," says the 5-star recruit Jackson.
USC didn't fair so well this season and with a tough strength of schedule, several losses can swing momentum in the college football recruiting world.
Adoree' Jackson isn't counting Trojans out just yet, as many may speculate. However, Jackson expresses how he would like to play on a competitive defense if he lands on that side of the ball at the next level.
"I don't think they're (USC) doing as well as they should. They're actually a great program, I just think they had a minor setback. I don't think it will be a thing that I'll forget about them. I'm always going to like SC. They're still going to be one of those teams that I'm going to pick, it really just all depends defensively-wise and how things go."
Jackson has proved throughout the year that he can contribute to the success of his team in all aspects of the game. Adoree' punts, plays corner, lines up at wideout and handles the return game like a seasoned veteran for Serra.
"Everybody I speak to I try to say that I can play both sides of the ball. Sometimes coaches like me more at receiver than they do at defensive back. Mostly, everybody puts me at DB and then sees me offensively and what I can do with the ball and my play-making ability. Hopefully I can play both sides of the ball and do some special teams returning, as well."
It's obvious that Adoree' knows.
"I think I can pull it off. Pull off that Charles Woodson. I think I have it in me. I'm just one of those types of people that has that demeanor and that attitude that I just want to do whatever I can for my team to win. If that's what they want to do, I wouldn't be mad. I would still love to be on that defensive side making plays too," says Jackson.
Stay-tuned to CLA for all of the latest college football recruiting news from Southern California and beyond. Look for video highlights and photos from Chaminade vs. Serra immediately following tomorrow night's game.
