Jason Jack

Jack directed Oxford to successive Class 5A football championships in 1988 and 1989, an unprecedented accomplishment in Oxford football history. In 1988, the Yellow Jackets defeated Smiths Station 21-14 with Jack passing for each of his team’s three touchdowns. He was 8 of 15 passing for 155 yards with no interceptions.

In 1989, Oxford defeated Smiths Station in the title game for the second consecutive season.  The game was played in Oxford in front of 7,000 spectators, and the Yellow Jackets won 37-35. Jack scored on a 5-yard quarterback keeper just before halftime and had two touchdown passes in the second half for a 34-21 lead.  Oxford finished 1989 12-2 after a 14-0 campaign in 1988. 

Jack helped exorcise a demon in his first start in 1988, completing 7 of 10 passes for 118 yards and directing a 23-13 win over Pell City. The Panthers had beaten the Yellow Jackets twice in 1987 and twice in 1986. 

In 7-0 Oxford’s Class 5A, Area 11 showdown against 8-0 Wellborn, the Yellow Jackets won 23-16. A 13-yard scoring pass from Jack put Oxford up 23-0 at halftime.  Jack was the 4A-6A all-county quarterback for 1988.  

Oxford’s 1989 season began the same way its 1988 season started, with a win over Pell City. Jack was 5-for-8 passing for 67 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass. Then the Yellow Jackets lost two of their next three games, falling to Anniston 31-12, defeating Talladega 42-0 and losing to Gardendale 23-21.   

After a 2-2 start, the Yellow Jackets didn’t lose again. No. 10 Oxford defeated No. 9 Homewood 34-20 in Oxford’s homecoming game. Homewood had not given up more than seven points in any previous game. Jack was 8 of 12 passing for 127 yards in the first half. 

In its first area game, Oxford downed Saks 44-8. Jack completed scoring passes of 4 yards and 7 yards. He was 8-for-9 passing for 123 yards in the first half. With more than 10,000 fans watching, No. 4 Oxford defeated No. 1 Wellborn 26-14 at Wellborn. Jack completed 7 of 15 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 88 yards. 

In its final area game, Oxford downed Jacksonville 42-6. Late in the second quarter, Jack completed a 35-yard touchdown pass then scored on a 3-yard run and Oxford led 14-0 at halftime.  Oxford was ranked No. 2 in the final Class 5A poll and Fayette County was No. 1. 

In the semifinal round, Oxford defeated previously unbeaten Fayette County 23-13 in Fayette. The Tigers led 7-0 early. A Jack touchdown pass made the halftime score 7-6. Jack scored on a 5-yard run to start the second half. His 9-yard scoring pass then made it 20-7. 

Fayette County didn’t respond well to losing. One Fayette County player was ejected for a flagrant foul. With 47 seconds to play, Fayette County coach Walden Tucker was ejected and escorted off the field. Twenty seconds later, as Jack was trying to run out the clock, a late hit near the Fayette County sideline led to a brawl and the officials ended the game.           

For the season, Jack completed 119 of 195 passes for 1,910 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also rushed for 507 yards and six touchdowns. He was a Class 4A-6A first-team all-county choice, the first-team quarterback on the ASWA Class 5A all-state team and an honorable mention on the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Southern team.     

He accepted a football scholarship offer from Alabama coach Gene Stallings. While at Alabama, Jack received the President’s Academic Achievement Award for having the highest cumulative grade point average on the Alabama football team.