Jack MacKinnon surprised by two-way football award

Of the 12 Coast Union football players recently honored with Coast Valley League awards, Jack MacKinnon is the only one to have received awards for his efforts on both offense and defense — making second team on both sides of the ball.

He also is the only player interviewed so far who admitted he wasn’t in the best shape he could have been in this past season, which is surprising given the consistently good quality of his efforts.

“It was a great year and a lot of fun,” he explained in an interview Tuesday, Nov. 24. “But I wish I could have been in better shape than I was.” MacKinnon didn’t play his sophomore year; hence, going into this, his junior season, “I didn’t realize how much of a physical sport it was.

“So in the summer I didn’t prepare that well, and it showed in that last game. I was in shape, but I could have been in better shape, that’s for sure. Next summer I’ll be in the weight room putting on some muscle. I’m a little skinny; I’d like to be a little more physical than I was last year.”

Was he surprised to be honored for his play on both sides of the ball? “I was definitely not expecting it on defense, but I thought a little bit of something that I might make offense. I’m kind of proud of myself but mostly I’m surprised — I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

I always try to do the best that I can, but it wasn’t a thought for me as to whether or not I would make the all-league team.”

MacKinnon began the season as a wide receiver, but when starting quarterback Alexis Mireles was injured, MacKinnon was moved to the signal-caller position.

At first he said he felt “a little out of place” at quarterback, but once the season moved into the Coast Valley League play, “I started to feel a little more comfortable, and I definitely enjoyed the position.”

The most exciting game for MacKinnon was the 31-29 win at Valley Christian Academy; Roberto Quintero’s field goal as time ran out led to “a good bus ride home. Everybody was so excited because that was such a tough game. On the stat sheet maybe it wasn’t my best game, but personally, it was.”

Statistically, MacKinnon’s play against Maricopa the following week stands out as one of his finest efforts. He threw two touchdowns (one to Alexis Mireles, whom he had replaced at quarterback), ran for a score from scrimmage and ran an interception back for another touchdown. On defense, he tied Lane Sutherland for the team lead with nine tackles.

Following football, he and his twin brother Sam — at 6 feet 1 inch, Sam is an inch and a half taller than Jack — are a big part of the varsity basketball team.

“We’re a good basketball team, but our problem is numbers; we’ll have seven (players) when Jez Lawson is healthy,” MacKinnon said.

He went on to say that Coach Tim May’s intense conditioning regimen should get the team in good physical shape, which will be important late in the fourth quarter of games, given that the Broncos will only have two reserves.

The Broncos’ next home basketball game is Dec. 15 against Shandon.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 9:11 AM with the headline "Jack MacKinnon surprised by two-way football award."