When a team struggles, it usually turns to its senior leaders for guidance and solidarity.

It is no different with the 1-7 Cathedral Green Wave. Even though sophomore running back Ja’Mel Jackson was instrumental in Cathedral’s first win of the season last week against Hinds Agricultural High School – he ran for 266 yards and 5 touchdowns on 16 carries in the 46-6 win – Jackson is quick to credit his older teammates.

&uot;Our line blocked real well, our quarterback did good, our defense was good, the seniors stepped up,&uot; Jackson said. &uot;It was our day.&uot;

After so many games this season that have not gone Cathedral’s way, Jackson was also quick to point out the significance of a win for the seniors’ last home game.

&uot;It was most important for the seniors,&uot; he said. &uot;It was important to do it for them.&uot;

With only one game left in the Wave’s season, Jackson knows that soon he, too, will be considered an upperclassman and a team leader.

In fact, with his younger brother Jonathan playing running back as a freshman, Jackson said he already has a taste of what it’s like to be looked up to and depended on.

&uot;Right now I’m being guided by the people older than me,&uot; Jackson said. &uot;I just try to pass it down.&uot;

Although Jackson has one game left of football season before he dives head-on into basketball season, he has looked toward next year’s football team. He likes what he sees, he said.

&uot;We’ve got a lot of good backs, and the line seems to get better every year,&uot; he said. &uot;We had a good team in junior high. We’re all getting older, and we should be doing pretty good next year.&uot;