The Houston Academy has been on a run this season with a massive 7 wins and only 1 loss to Montgomery Academy. Behind much of the success is the HC Eddie Brundidge. With the help of the 15-member senior class, the team has managed to dominate the high school football charts. However, there is another man people should thank for the success of the camp. Michael Jerkins Sr. was the volunteer assistant football coach for Houston and he, with his knowledge, had helped the team move forward.

However, no one would’ve imagined that the players and the families revolving around Jerkins would be hit with such sorrowful news. After a grueling battle with cancer, Jerkins unfortunately passed away. Holly Menino, anchor for KOMO news, took to X to share her support for Kelly Koopmans (Jerkins’ wife). “Michael gave the best hugs and had the best smile. He loved his family with his whole heart. We’re here for you @KellyKOMO4, always!” Menino wrote in the caption of her post.

After a long loving relationship of 19 years, this has to be one of the toughest moments for Kelly. “Frankly, I don’t know what to say. I don’t expect anyone else to know what to say either,” Kelly noted during her interview with KOMO news. Jerkins was unfortunately diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma.

This comes as a massive shock to the entire high school football community as well. More so because it hasn’t even been a month since we Melody Jackson. During Jerkins’ tests, it was found that the cancer had spread throughout and ultimately there was no saving him.

“How am I? I don’t know. It’s complicated,” Kelly mentioned while talking about how she has been dealing with her loss. Jerkins believed in being the father figure of all the kids he used to coach at Houston Academy. The impact he has left at HA is quite visible from how Brundidge had talked about him.

Support from all around the camp

“Michael was a great guy and truly will be missed,” Brundidge mentioned while talking about Jerkins. Michael had a knack for keeping stats and he has been doing the same since 2000. This allowed him to help out his long-time friend, Pate Harrison. Jerkins helped Harrison out at Dale County as an assistant coach. He helped the team get better by providing them with proper statistics and pointing out areas where they could improve.

When Jerkins began his stint at Houston, he pretty much did the same. He had a role in helping out the middle school team and also aided in the transportation of equipment. Jason Richards, assistant coach at HA and Jerkins’ cousin, mentioned, “Praying for his family. You never know when it will be your last time you will see someone.” Richards and Jerkins used to spend time together and had been great buddies. Michael Jerkins Jr. (Son) will be the 2-year starter for the O-line and D-line for HA and we cannot wait to see how this young kid takes his father’s legacy forward.