Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
Zach Jackson
NAME: Zach Jackson
PARENTS: Cindy and Danny Jackson
SIBLINGS: I’ve got a brother, Blain. He’s 21.
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Math
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I like to enjoy the outdoors, fishing and hunting and just playing around.
FAVORITE FOOD: I would have to say Chicken Alfredo.
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Luke Bryan
FAVORITE MOVIE: American Sniper
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Friday Night Lights
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? A little toy tractor, playing in the dirt.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I plan to attend the University of Arkansas to carry on my baseball career and, hopefully, major in Sports Management probably.
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? I’d have to say Coach (Kirk) Bock. He influences us and encourages us day by day to do the right thing and to act the right way. He’s been very supportive and he’s taught not only me but the whole team what is always the right thing to do.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BASEBALL: Winning
POSITION: Pitcher
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH ON THE MOUND? To dominate, get out there and execute my pitches and hit my spots. I know I’ve got one of the best defenses in the state so I don’t have to worry about groundballs or flyballs. I know they’ll catch it so I just get out there and dominate the zone, knowing I have the defense to back me up.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? It’s going pretty smooth. We had two losses that hurt us. We’ve got to win out to get a good seed in State. If we just keep producing, hitting like we did earlier this year, everything will be fine.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON SO FAR? Run-ruling Benton. They’ve been our rival since anyone can remember so when they come to your home and you put 10 on the board, you can’t beat it.
TALK ABOUT YOUR GAME: WHAT DO YOU FEEL MOST CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY TO DO? It’s just when I step out there on the mound, it’s like I’m a different guy. A lot of the guys like to think I’m goofy and joke around and stuff but when it’s game day and it’s my turn to pitch as soon as I step in that dugout, it’s like I flip and on-off switch. I’m zone in and I’m focused and I’m ready to go and do what I have to do to get the job done.
WHAT DO YOU WORK HARDEST TO IMPROVE ON IN PRACTICE? Definitely the feel for my pitches; I like to try to improve my pitches each day. Each and every time I step into the ‘pen and I don’t have a good day — Alex Shurtleff knows. “How was your day in the ‘pen?” “Oh, dude, it sucked. I need to get better at my curveball today.” I just have to work on my pitches every now and then.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH PLAYING BASEBALL AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? Spending more time with the team than I do my family. We’re up here, God knows how long. And, honestly, I enjoy every moment that I have with these guys knowing that it’s my last year. I look back at my freshman year and I was thinking, ‘Ahhh!” Now I’m here and I don’t want to leave. I love being a part of this program and team. It’s a lot of fun.
