— by Tim Stephens, The Herald-Dispatch
Different position, same result.
Huntington High football star Zah Jackson moved from cornerback to safety this season. The senior West Virginia University signee is the 2024 winner of the Carl Lee Award as the state’s premier prep defensive back.
Jackson captured the honor, given by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, for the third consecutive season.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster helped Huntington High to an 11-2 record and the state semifinals, in which the Highlanders lost 35-34 to state champion Martinsburg.
Jackson made 20 tackles this season as opponents did nearly everything they could to avoid him. He missed some time with injuries and often sat out second halves of Huntington High’s many blowouts.
“Zah is such an explosive player,” Highlanders coach Billy Seals said. “He’s the best in the state, undoubtedly. He’s worked hard to get where he is and has earned everything he’s gotten.”
Jackson was a priority recruit for WVU, which he chose over offers from Marshall, North Carolina State, Mississippi State, Liberty, Akron, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, James Madison, Kent State, Eastern Kentucky and Toledo.
Jackson said he never wavered from his commitment to the Mountaineers, despite a coaching change in Morgantown when Rich Rodriguez replaced Neal Brown.
“I was all-in on WVU,” Jackson said. “The coaching change didn’t sway my commitment.”
“He certainly deserves it,” Lee said of Jackson winning the award. “I’ve seen him play a lot and he’s a better player at his age than I was. He’s a playmaker.”
That’s high praise. Lee played safety for 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one with the New Orleans Saints. He made the Pro Bowl in 1988, 1989 and 1990. A native of South Charleston, Lee was an All-Southern Conference cornerback at Marshall from 1979 through 1982.
Jackson helped Huntington High to a Class AAA state title in 2022 and earned most valuable player honors in the 28-3 victory over Parkersburg South. He aided the Highlanders in making the semifinals the last two seasons.
“Obviously, what he’s been able to do on the field the last three years is astounding, really,” Seals said of Jackson. “As a freshman, you don’t usually walk in here and play. He did. He’s one of four or five guys we’ve ever had in 15 years who played on Friday night as a freshman.”
Jackson will be presented with the Lee Award at the 78th annual Victory Awards Dinner, which will take place on May 4, 2025 at the Bridgeport Conference Center.