Southern Football Building Toughness Brick by Brick

By Samuel Hennig

Follow on X @SamuelHennig19

Southern High School football enters the new season with a familiar face at the helm. After

longtime head coach Justin Hatchett stepped down, the staff collectively turned to veteran assistant coach Nelson Jackson—a coach with nearly three decades of experience—to navigate the program and mentor the next generation of leaders.

Southern also benefits from former head coach Mike Gossett on the sideline. Gossett has served as a head coach at Southern and Fairdale, as well as an assistant while winning a state title with Nelson County

in 1996.

Jackson has a plan to gain momentum for the future of Southern. He is giving young offensive

coordinator Marc Gartner time to finish his master’s degree and prepare to eventually take over. Jackson is molding the program’s culture in ways that are already visible.

A Culture of Senior Leaders

One of Jackson’s biggest changes is simple, yet powerful: He turned the team over to the

seniors. Jackson said this year they have been blessed with great senior leaders and he wants to take full advantage of that.

Seniors have already pulled teammates aside for tough conversations—something Jackson sees as a sign of real growth. Ownership has allowed the younger players to quickly learn from the older players.

“They’ll hold each other more accountable than we will,” says Coach Jackson. “When you give seniors the opportunity to lead, everything changes.” To Jackson, being the coach is not about wins and losses; it is about making these kids the best men they can be, on and off the field.

Seeing the progress and growth daily has been encouraging.

Building Numbers and Building Football Players

Southern’s biggest challenge has been roster size. The team finished last season with barely

20–25 players, but the first day of school brought a surge—40 players showed up to practice, many of them brand new to football.

Jackson’s approach is patient with his first-year players.

He comes from the 90’s era of football

and he is enjoying finding the perfect blend between that great era and the new one. He refuses to “run kids off” with outdated conditioning methods.

Instead, he wants them to learn the game,see where they stand, and then ask for more work. This will allow his players to learn to

challenge themselves. His season goal reflects that philosophy: be better in November than in August. “If you can

look in the mirror and say you’re a better football player at the end of the season, then we’ve done our job,” he said.

Key Players to Watch

Southern has several standout players who will anchor the team. Starting with freshman QB Bryce Jones, a three-sport athlete who “came in and just took the job,” Jones brings swagger, toughness, and coachability.

Jackson believes he can become the

foundation of the program over the next four years. Every practice Bryce improves on leading the offense. On the defensive side of the ball, Jackson brags about senior OLB Michael Ecarma, a four-year starter who has been impossible to keep off the field since freshman year.

Ecarma will run the defense, make adjustments, and ensure the team is aligned.

Junior Kalantanda is a 6'2", 205-lb senior from South Africa, a former rugby player

transitioning to American football.

Jackson calls him “tough as nails” and expects him to shine at fullback and linebacker.

A Throwback Identity: 1980’s Football

Southern’s identity under Jackson is unapologetically old-school. The Trojans will line up in the I-formation, run iso, trap, and counter, and lean on a feature back for 20–25 carries a game.

Jackson wants big, strong linemen and a fullback who hits like a guard. “This whole thing is built on 1987 football,” he said.

Defensively, the philosophy is just as clear: be fast, be right, and be petty at the ball—

swarming, stripping, and annoying the offense until they break. They find pride in winning the turnover battle.

The Upcoming Schedule 2026

Southern plays in one of Kentucky’s toughest districts, but Jackson sees opportunities. He

believes the Trojans can compete late into the fourth quarter against many of their opponents.

Especially with disciplined preparation and strong clock management. Jackson is laying one brick at a time. His intention is to build a solid foundation.

“There’s nothing new under the sun,” Jackson said. “ Gradually, the standard will be the standard.” He believes in Southern’s academics, facilities, and culture—including a tool-and-die program, automotive

training, and a principal, Sariena Sampson, who was named JCPS Principal of the Year.

Coach Jackson also demands excellence in the classroom, requiring players to sit in the front row of every class. “If I’m a 3.0 student, I’ll be a 3.0 football player,” he said. “What you do in the school building is 80% of what we do on the field!”

A Program Rebuilt on Toughness and Trust

Southern football may not be the biggest or flashiest program in the district, but under Coach Jackson, it’s becoming something harder to measure: a team with identity, accountability, and pride.

On and on, as the seniors lead, the freshmen learn, and the roster grows, Jackson sees a future where Southern football is built the right way—slowly, steadily, and with purpose.