Insider Info: Championship Edition (Malaki Jackson-Wayzata)
In my latest feature article for Northstar Football News: “The Trojan Reign Reestablished”, I interviewed six Wayzata Trojans that were apart of the 2019 state championship. After releasing the full feature, I thought it would be both appropriate as well as interesting to post each Trojans individual interview…
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Continue ReadingIn my latest feature article for Northstar Football News: “The Trojan Reign Reestablished”, I interviewed six Wayzata Trojans that were apart of the 2019 state championship. After releasing the full feature, I thought it would be both appropriate as well as interesting to post each Trojans individual interview so our readers can receive as much exclusive insight into the success of 2019, as well as what it means to these boys to be a Trojan, and what lessons they have learned from the ride. In these individual interviews that I used as sources for the feature, the Wayzata players give even more detail into the inner workings of the team and their keys to success.
Jackson at his UST visit.This “Championship Edition” of NFN’s “Insider Info” highlights First Team All-District RB/DL Malaki Milton-Jackson. A big-time MIAC and NSIC recruit, Jackson shared with us some of the big moments of ’19, his career at Wayzata, big plays from the state championship game, and how playing for the Trojans has prepared him for his next steps in life as well as college football. I hope you enjoy!
NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Malaki. Congratulations on your success in 2019. It has been an incredible year for you and the Wayzata Trojans. First begin by just telling us what it means for you to be a Trojan, and what your career has been like at Wayzata.
Jackson: “What it means to be a Trojan is to come as your individual self, but together as one collective unit to execute a common goal at the highest possible level.”
NFN: Walk us through some of differences the program has seen since you were a freshman to now senior. What difference can you credit with having the biggest impact on the Trojans success this year?
Jackson: “When I was a freshman, I was unable to play football due to an injury prior to the season; however, one of the former defensive coaches and the head coach, Coach Anderson, allowed me to stand on the sidelines with the varsity team to give me a visual of how Varsity is set up. Then, once Coach Brown came in, the entire dynamic of Wayzata football changed. He wanted to make sure that players were putting in the work to do what they say they want to do. I think I can credit myself with being coachable and understanding what the team needs rather than what I want.”
NFN: How was the 2018 season for you as well as Wayzata? What were some big games, low moments, and how did you build off 2018 to succeed in 2019?
Jackson: “The 2018 season was a year for me to grow as a player. Big games for us were beating Edina and making the section finals. Low games were losing the Bay Bell to Minnetonka, losing to Eden Prairie and the loss to Woodbury in the section finals. Because of those moments, it motivated us to work harder than we ever have and coming into the season with a chip on our shoulders; playing every game as if it were our last ever game of football.”
NFN: How was Wayzata’s offseason going into 2019 and how was the season itself?
Jackson: “The off-season was just grind time. The entire team was on the same page as to what our goal was for this year and that was to win the state championship. To do that, we understood that we were going to have to put in the work. The 2019 season was amazing!
Ukofia (2), Demro (99), and Roques (1), and Jackson (5) celebrate in the Bank.As the regular season progressed and we continued to just keep taking game after game, it motivated us to work more during the season too. Continuing to find ways to get better. We believed we would be great some we just put everything on the line for each other on the field. Defense was just a whole ‘nother level. A different breed of species, nothing but beasts.”
NFN: Elaborate on the state playoffs and especially the championship game! What were some big plays and moments, and how was your performance?
Jackson: “The state playoffs was something we knew would really test our hunger for the state championship.When the ‘ship came, we had the same mindset like we did coming into every other game; just play our hearts out and have fun. Big plays were Christian Vasser‘s open field runs, ‘s kick return down to inside the 15th, and Jack Martison’s stop in the 4th quarter on 4th down to get the ball back and seal the game. I would say I performed well and accomplished the things the team needed to contribute to the win.”
NFN: What will stay with you as a Trojan as you transition into the next step of your football career? How has Wayzata prepared you for college football if it’s something you’re interested in?
Jackson: “Having a 1-0 mindset; whatever you put effort into, make sure it’s full effort and you don’t look back with regret. If I keep my mind focused and apply myself, I can go very far. Wayzata prepared me by pushing me to do and be my absolute best, and showing me that putting in the work really does have great results.”
Well said, Malaki. Thank you again for your time and good luck with your upcoming college decision!