It took two wild and contrasting seasons to turn three defensive backs from green to feared. Their transformation made opponents see the CM backfield as a minefield
Jaiden, that’s not where you stand!” one coach yelled.
“Jackson, you need to make that tackle!” another coach howled.
Last season, the admonishments were numerous, and the expectations were intensifying for the freshman and sophomore secondary called to play when injuries sidelined their upperclassmen teammates. These young Knights had work to do.
However, those growing pains galvanized them during a memorable 2024 season when these inexperienced defensive backs became an integral part of a defense that led the team to a Super Bowl title.
In 2023, Orion Fernandez ’26, Jaiden Johnson ’27, and Jackson Tucker ’27, thought they would enjoy some playing time once the game was in hand. Then the injury bug hit both sides of the ball, many of them season-ending. With so many holes to fill, the idea that our young athletes would have to line up against experienced juniors and seniors quickly became a reality. “Last year, I didn’t know anything about playing varsity, I was taking a big step from what I was used to. I was trying to process and learn from the seniors that we had, and step up,” says Tucker.
At the start of 2024, the three had something to prove. Still feeling the sting of their semi-final defeat to Marshfield, where the defense gave up a season worst 52 points, they made a goal: win and never feel the pain of playoff defeat again. In the opening drive of this season against Cardinal Hayes of New York, Johnson and Tucker showed-up, big time, displaying improved situational awareness and an aggressiveness that hadn’t previously existed. While Johnson grabbed an interception, the opposition’s running game proved too much, and the Knights started the season 0-1. “Right after that first game, it was win or go home. We picked it up and came with an energy that set the standard at every practice and every lift because we knew that the seniors deserved to leave with a ring,” said Fernandez.
The group continued to grow and make impactful plays. Combined, the three accounted for 90 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 20 pass breakups. Their experience helped those like linebackers Liam Conlon ’28, and Derek Austin ’27 who resembled what these three had been the year prior. “We know how it feels to start young and feel that pressure,” says Johnson. “I would let Liam know to be calm, do your assignment, and play your game. Once you get out of your game, your confidence goes away.”
Throughout the season, the defensive backs showed up with a timely interception or pass breakup. Jackson picked off a late first half throw into the end zone against Xaverian, which was critical in their 40-37 win over their conference rivals. They exceeded expectations against St. John’s Prep, when they held one of the top teams in the state to a shutout. Tucker had an interception and a fumble recovery, and Conlon returned an interception for a touchdown. “We don’t have the same roles that we did last year. We must be leaders, and we’re expected to step up and contribute,” says Johnson.
In the Sweet 16 against a Quincy team that slowly made their way downfield, two interceptions by Fernandez kept their opponents out of the red zone and allowed for quick scores by the offense in their 32-0 rout. As for Johnson, he grabbed two interceptions against BC High, including a game-ending interception late in the fourth quarter that set up a touchdown run by Isaiah Simmons ’26 and locked up a 31-19 Thanksgiving day win.
By the time the Super Bowl against King Philip rolled around, it was at best risky to throw near these three. Towards the end of the first half with CM up 20-8, KP running back Drew Laplante broke away for what looked like a momentum-shifting touchdown, but Fernandez was there with a late tackle at the CM 20-yard line. With two chances to score, KP would be denied, first on a Fernandez pass break up in the end zone, then again when Fernandez and Johnson forced a KP receiver out of bounds to preserve the lead going into halftime. In the fourth quarter, the secondary refused to indulge any idea of a KP comeback, with broken-up passes and deflections by Johnson and Tucker. In doing so, the newly seasoned secondary helped the team lift the Agganis Trophy for a third time in four years.
The success of the three has not gone unnoticed. Tucker has committed to Boston College and Johnson has received interest from Division 1 schools. With attention and accolades coming their way, the trio has one goal, just win.
“The expectation for us is to keep thriving,” says Tucker. “For us, the only way to do that is to keep winning championships.”