(Photo by Catalina Fragoso – Double G Media)

The last time Paramus Catholic running back Alijah Jackson walked off the field was back in December at MetLife Stadium as part of the Paladins Non-Public Group 4 33-28 title win over St. Peter’s Prep. In that game, he rushed 11 times for 127 yards and two scores. He led the team in rushing last season with 1180 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Friday night, Jackson participated in the latest installment of the Bergen County North-South All-Star Football Game at Lyndhurst High School. Jackson did not waste any time electrifying the crowd, breaking loose on the first play from scrimmage for a 54-yard touchdown. In the 2016 game, the North built up a sizable second half lead but hung on in the end for a 33-26 victory. 

“To come out here, the last high school football game I will ever play in my life so it’s good to come out and play with these guys and win the MVP,” said Alijah Jackson who is from Englewood and will be attending Robert Morris University in the fall. 

“An honor putting on (Paramus Catholic) helmet one last time and PC made me into a great man and football player,” he continued. “All games are competitive, you want to win and play your hardest. It was fun coming out with guys who I grew up with and never played with.”

(Photo by Catalina Fragoso – Double G Media)

This time around the result would not be in doubt as Garrett King (Midland Park) fired a 12-yard strike to wide receiver Jack Scordato (Ramapo) with 2:50 remaining in the first quarter. Jackson was not done finding the end zone, hauling in a 46-yard touchdown reception from Mahwah quarterback Ron Riccie in the second quarter. King capped off the scoring drilling home a 24-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Jackson earned the Offensive Player of the Game award while Hackensack linebacker Darmarnie Clarke took home the Defensive Player of the Game honors.

“A great experience to play with other players from different teams’ and to meet new friends like Jack Scordato from Ramapo and Sean McKay from Westwood,” said King “I thought if I just get it into the right spot Jack (Scordato) is going to catch it and a phenomenal athlete and broke many records at Ramapo.”