'Good, old-fashioned McKinley linebackers': Hatcher, Jackson lead defense vs. Massillon

CANTON — In this era of instant gratification, Shaukeer Hatcher and Ja'Diss Jackson had to wait their turn.

Seems like it was worth it.

The two senior inside linebackers are playing major roles for the Canton McKinley High School football team as it readies to host 9-0 rival Massillon for Saturday's 2 p.m. kickoff at Benson Stadium.

"Both kids have come a long way," McKinley head coach Antonio Hall said. "They're both first-year starters, but they've both played tremendous for us. I'm really high on those two for putting in the work for three years, getting an opportunity their senior years and taking advantage of it."

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Jackson played outside linebacker in a reserve role last year. The 6-foot, 190-pound Hatcher played running back for the most part.

This year, they're McKinley's top two tacklers as part of a front seven that will have a lot to say if the Bulldogs can snap a seven-game losing streak to their foes from Tigertown.

Hatcher and Jackson play fast and physical. As Hall said, "They're both fun to watch. They both just look like good, old-fashioned McKinley linebackers."

Hatcher simply has been one of the best defensive players in the area from his middle linebacker position.

He leads McKinley in total tackles (88), solo tackles (66) and tackles for loss (14) while grabbing three interceptions and making three sacks.

Hall marvels at Hatcher's versatility. He jets through traffic and brings down a running back on one play, then is dropping into coverage and staying with wide receivers on the next.

Hatcher got all the way outside from the middle of the field to intercept a sideline throw intended for a wide receiver against Green in Week 5.

"I've never seen a middle linebacker do that," Hall said. "He just has that natural ability to see things unfold and great reaction. He has really great eyes and tremendous speed."

Jackson, the weakside linebacker, is second on the team with 75 tackles. He also has five tackles for loss and four sacks.

Jackson plays with reckless abandon. He leads the team in tackles on kickoffs, and Hall takes special pleasure in the way Jackson covers them.

"I call him Bobby Boucher because that's what he looks like when he runs down the field," Hall said with a booming laugh, referring to Adam Sandler's wrecking-ball character in the movie "The Waterboy."

Jackson shakes his head at the comparison and laughs it off. A kid clearly comfortable in his own skin, Jackson seems to relish this opportunity.

"It's really a dream come true," he said. "I remember, last year, I was just that guy where if you asked him to go do something, I'd go do it. Now to be able to step into a role like this, I feel honored and privileged."

Jackson and Hatcher, who both want to play in college and are starting to receive Division II interest, have been friends since their days at Hartford Middle School.

To share this experience together has made it a bit sweeter.

"It's been amazing, knowing someone like that, with that strong of a bond," Hatcher said. "He's one of my best friends."

McKinley's front seven probably has been the biggest strength of a team that is 7-2 overall and has clinched at least a share of the Federal League championship (it becomes an outright title if Lake loses to Green on Friday). Alongside Hatcher and Jackson at linebacker is junior Dante McClellan, manning the viper position and garnering scholarship offers from USC to Tennessee. Seniors Braylan Foster and Braylon Minor and juniors Dior Garner and K'Vuone McNeal lead the defensive line. Garner, a two-way starter, has a Bowling Green offer. McNeal has 13 tackles for loss and a team-best nine sacks.

"They've done a great job of keeping those linebackers clean," Hall said. "Then you have Dante there at the overhang. If you pop your head outside it's going to get taken off."

That front seven is tasked with taking on one of the best running games in the state. Massillon has a strong offensive line and will utilize multiple tight ends in an attack based around the versatility of senior quarterback DaOne Owens.

"We can't make a living just lining up against double tights or double wings," Hall said. "So we're going to have to bring some blitzes and do some things because we can't go pound-for-pound with them. We're just not as big as them."

Sounds like the Bulldogs might be underdogs.

Hatcher and Jackson are used to it.

Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton McKinley football will lean on linebackers vs. Massillon