Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples alerted the media on Wednesday morning that senior quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson will not be playing in the final game of his high school career.
Samples said Jackson suffered a torn left ACL in the second quarter of last weekend’s state semifinal against Rockwall.
Jackson was tackled on a 5-yard rush late in the second quarter, and after going down, Jackson stayed down, screaming in pain. Early speculations of a torn ACL were confirmed by Samples.
The injury takes the Texas signee out of a rematch of last year’s iconic title game against Galena Park North Shore in the Class 6A, Division I state championship game.
Jackson said not playing in his last high school game is “very frustrating,” Wednesday morning. “It’s bothering me a lot.”
The star quarterback finishes the season with 1,711 passing yards and 21 passing touchdowns. Jackson also has 1,030 rushing yards and 16 scores.
With big shoes to fit, freshman quarterback Chris Parson will take Jackson’s spot on Saturday. Parson has plenty of playing time and experience this season, but Saturday will mark his first varsity start for the Panthers.