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High School Football: Sandia star draws comparisons to Matadors legend

By James Staley
Saturday, December 2, 2006

Don't look for it in their build.

Don't try to find it in their style.

Don't think you can measure it.

Similarities exist between Sandia football legend Mike Carter and contemporary Matadors star Derris Jackson, but they don't show up on a roster or box score or game film.

To see it best requires a view from the huddle - the sometimes tense, sometimes funny, always smelly club, among the most exclusive in sports.

"Guys look up to them," said Sandia assistant coach Randy Flores, who blocked for Carter in the late 1970s. "When they're in the huddle with you, your confidence goes through the roof.

"They're both team guys. They care about their team and their team's success. That's why so many of the kids look up to Derris, like we did Mike. I don't see a whole lot of differences between them."

That's not to say none can be found.

Both are under 6-foot, but, at 205 pounds, Jackson has about 25 pounds on the Matadors edition of Carter.

Maybe he didn't possess Jackson's power, but Carter was faster, he was a state champion sprinter.

Still, the two backs' cutting ability is comparable, Flores said.

"They both read blocks the same, too," he said.

Former Sandia coach Jim Ottman was quick to point out another difference.

"We only played Mike one way," said Ottman, who admitted it was hard to keep Carter's speed benched. "We were fortunate to have a two-platoon system. Very few guys went both ways."

One of those players was Phil Trent, another running back (and defender) who played at Nebraska. Carter and Trent gave the Matadors a one-two punch similar to what they have now with Jackson and Michael Scarlett, a quarterback/receiver/safety.

Scarlett has signed with UNM. Jackson has spoken with Lobo coaches and has expressed interest in joining Scarlett, but, because of academic issues, will likely play at a junior college first.

To this point, Carter had a more decorated career than the Led Zeppelin-loving Jackson. After leading Sandia to their only state title in 1976, Carter was named a Parade All-American and went on to become one of UNM's best runners. He ranks sixth on the Lobos' all-time rushing list.

On Dec. 4, 1976 Carter unleashed what was perhaps his most memorable prep performance. He ripped Mayfield's defense for 274 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the state championship game.

Like Carter, Jackson has performed at peak levels when it matters most. Last week at Clovis - perhaps the toughest place to win a road playoff game in Class 5A - Jackson rushed and passed for 229 total yards and three touchdowns. Sandia won, 24-21.

Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus compared corralling Jackson to "tackling a Coke machine."

Should Sandia pull another playoff upset on the road today at No. 1 seed Mayfield, Jackson likely will post more huge numbers.

If that happens, the comparisons to Carter will only continue.