Blast from the past

By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
The past two years, Buckhorn head coach and former Russellville assistant Michael Jackson has returned to the Golden Tiger press box for playoff games to offer assistance to his old team.
Top-ranked Russellville has once again advanced deep into the playoffs, and once again Jackson will be present as the Golden Tigers play in Friday's quarterfinals.
But this time, he won't be in the press box helping out his former team. Instead, he'll be on the opposite sideline trying to beat them.
Jackson has revived the Buckhorn program in just three short years, and the Bucks (9-3) will host the Golden Tigers (11-1) on Friday with a 5A semifinal berth at stake.
A quarterfinal appearance is a far cry from where the Bucks were expected to be.
Russellville head coach Perry Swindall is impressed with the way Jackson has turned the Bucks around so quickly.
That should come as no surprise, considering that Jackson was not only an assistant at Russellville but also the Golden Tigers' strength and conditioning coach.
If indeed the Bucks do have an edge in strength and conditioning on Friday, it might not be the only one.
In contrast to Russellville's complex passing offense, Buckhorn's offensive philosophy is simple: Hand the ball off to senior running back Cameron Kirnes, who has rushed for 2,191 yards and 29 touchdowns this season.
Swindall said the Golden Tigers must take advantage of the scoring opportunities they get on Friday.
Jackson knows all too well just how quickly the Golden Tigers can put up points.
Jackson expressed much gratitude about the time he spent at Russellville.