Every July since 1989, young football players dream about being part of The Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen. Fans have come to follow the same pattern of wondering whether their favorite area player or preferred college commitment will be a part of the list.

For the last 21 years, Jasper County high school football fans and players have never gotten that chance to see one of their own among the elite company of the best players in the state––The Dandy Dozen.

Cody Prewitt and Zachary Jackson have shattered the long awaited acknowledgment of talent that exists right here in Jasper County. Even to those who aren’t affiliated with Sylva–Bay Academy or Heidelberg High School, there has never been the opportunity to watch a Dandy Dozen player(s) on Friday in Jasper County like there will this football season.

On top of that, Raleigh and Taylorsville have accomplished some of the same history with Donte Moncrief and Marcus Mayers also on the list. That’s one-third of the Dandy Dozen within a 40 mile radius. In other words, there will be lots of good, small town football talent this fall.

Prewitt and Jackson are now connected in Jasper County history, as its first Dandy Dozen’s. But on another level, they have chosen rival schools to further their education. Jackson committed to Mississippi State University, while Prewitt, Missippi Association of Independent School’s fourth ever Dandy Dozen pick, committed to in-state rival Ole Miss.

Without further ado, here is a chance to meet and get to know a little about two young men that all of Jasper County can be proud of and support, regardless of affiliations.

Meet Cody Prewitt:

JCN: What was your reaction when you heard that you were named to Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen?

Prewitt: I was more excited and shocked than anything. I was working Friday and Coach Chad (Odom) called me at work and told me.

JCN: Who is your support system?

Prewitt: My family really supports me. They are the main thing that keeps my head on straight. My grandmother (Dottie Duckworth). Coach Chad has kept me focused. He’s been a bit of a father figure for me.

JCN: What drives you to be so successful on the football field?

Prewitt: The last thing my grandfather told me was that he wanted to see me play (football) on T.V. He died a few days later. I learned work ethic from my grandmother and a man who I went to church with. Ken Craven taught me a lot about work ethic.

JCN: How do you handle the exposure that you have seen as a football player and track star?

Prewitt: It feels like a big pressure and a great responsibility in a positive way. I’m excited to not let people down.

JCN: How did your relationship with Ole Miss begin, leading you to committ to playing there next year?

Prewitt: I was first noticed at a three-day camp going into my sophomore year. I just played my best and showed my hard work. The big thing that won me over was my relationship with the coaching staff, Coach Nutt, Coach Nix, the staff as a whole.

JCN: What are your expectations of playing time at Ole Miss?

Prewitt: I just can’t wait to get up there, get in the weight room, put on some pounds and learn the playbook. I want to play my freshman year. I’m not necessarily expecting to, but I’m not expecting not to. I just want to get up there, work hard and see what happens.

JCN: A lot of people say that last year’s Sylva-Bay game against Stringer was not a fair picture of your talent. What is your response to that?

Prewitt:This year’s gonna be a better picture. I’m going to be playing at quarterback. I don’t have to rely on someone else to be me the ball.

JCN: How do you respond to the hype that comes with being a Dandy Dozen?

Prewitt:I’m going to rise to the occasion and I’m gonna win.

JCN: A lot of your teammates and younger players must look up to you. How do you handle that pressure?

Prewitt: I try to lead by my actions, rather than yelling. I want to set the pace and momentum of the game. Everybody’s going to be playing to get close to a state championship. We’re going to have to play until the whistle blows. The last two years, we made it two rounds into the playoffs only because we didn’t play until the whistle blew.

JCN: Football isn’t your only sport. Track put you on the map with your three state champions, back to back, (in high jump, 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash). What are your goals for track?

Prewitt: I’m going to break the high jump (record). I’m going to break the 100 meter (record). I’m going to break under 21 (seconds) in the 200 meter. I see all the public school records in the 20s and I want to prove that someone in a private school can run with them.

JCN: If you find the success in college and further into the NFL, how would you want to give back.

Prewitt: I’ve already thought about it. If I did make it to the NFL and make some money, I couldn’t sleep at night if I didn’t give back to this community and town that’s supported me in high school and in college. I want to encourage kids that anything is possible. That’s the goal I have.

Meet Zachary Jackson:

JCN: What was your reaction when you heard that you were named to Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen?

Jackson: It’s a blessing. It’s a privilege, too. There’s a lot of good players to get picked. I wasn’t going to be mad (if I wasn’t picked for Dandy Dozen), but I would have made them wish they would have picked me.

JCN: What drives you to be so successful on the football field?

Jackson: I didn’t make my seventh grade team, and it motivated me to run on my own. I lifted weights on my own. I came back in the spring game (in the seventh grade spring game) and scored three touchdowns.

JCN: Is there anyone in particular that helped you get to where you are now?

Jackson: My momma (Corrine Washington) has been with me through the hard times. I gotta give thanks to her. She taught me respect, how to be a gentleman. She kept me in church. I also want to thank everyone in Heidelberg, my teammates, and coaches.

JCN: You recently committed to Mississippi State University. What made you decide to commit so early and not wait until the official signing day?

Jackson: MSU Coach Tony Hughes came to watch me last spring. He went back to Coach Mullens and told them to offer. When they said I was from Heidelberg, Mullens and his staff asked “is that in Mississippi?” Mullens came to my practice and sent an offer in the mail. Everybody else passed by Heidelberg High School on the interstate. State came by and put me on the map.

JCN: What are your expectations about playing college football next year?

Jackson: I’m trying to get on the field as soon as I can.

JCN: How are you going to handle the expectations of a Dandy Dozen player during your senior year?

Jackson: I’m gonna play my game. No, I’m gonna take my game to another level. All the hype leaves when the whistle blows.

JCN: Speaking of hype, a lot of your teammates and younger players must look up to you. How do you handle that pressure?

Jackson: I don’t fuss at my teammates if I’m doing the same thing. I’m not better than anybody. I don’t need the ball all the time. I want to lead by example.

HHS Coach John Walker: He was playing hurt (last season). He shouldn’t have come back, but he is tough. He scored seven touchdowns on a broken foot. He does lead by example. You can’t be the class clown. You gotta be the class leader.

JCN: During the summer you attended the MAXXSCOUT ALL-STAR SPORTS TRAINING camp and were offered to play in the All-American Bowl. How did that experience get you ready for this football season.

Jackson: It really boosted my presence. They rated me as a 5-star recruit. I just want to thank everybody for their donations, for supporting me. I want to thank the folks from Heidelberg and (Beat Five Supervisor) Curtis Gray

JCN: Any chances we’ll see you playing on Sunday night in the NFL?

Jackson: Most of the college coaches say I have that potential. I just have too many steps to take before that.

JCN: Jasper County would sure love to see you go that far.

Jackson: I love this county. I ride horses, deer hunt, ride 4-wheelers and fish. We have a big yard. That’s where Momma taught me hard labor.

JCN: What’s your biggest goal this year?

Jackson: To be the best student athlete I can be... And make the playoffs.

JCN: What are your goals to give back to the community?

Jackson: God has blessed me. I want to be a blessing for others. I might change a kids’ life by having a camp one day or speaking to kids.