Jefferson Forest's field generals

FOREST — David Jackson and David Rochow, two of the most accomplished players on Jefferson Forest’s boys soccer team this spring, will continue their careers at service academies next fall.

Jackson, who’s father went to West Point and was a helicopter pilot for the Army, opted to accept an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., rather than one to the U.S. Military Academy, his father’s alma mater in New York.

The mild-mannered Jackson denies wanting to start a feud within his family.

“It was mostly because of the soccer coach,” he said, referring to Dave Brandt, who also will transfer to Navy this year after guiding Messiah College (Pa.) to an NCAA record sixth Division III championship in his 12th season this past fall.

“It was probably a better choice from a soccer standpoint,” Jefferson Forest coach Jedd Zaring said. “Navy’s got a guy in place who’s a proven winner.”

Rochow, who also was being recruited by Bucknell University, decided on VMI, which competes with Liberty University in the Big South Conference.

He, too, was influenced by a coach, Ben Freakley an assistant for the Keydets who has played with Rochow on the same Roanoke Star club team.

“Dave got to know Ben, who kept after him, and Dave really chose VMI because he has the respect of coach Freakley,” Zaring said.

Both Jackson and Rochow have earned the respect of their teammates, designated as two of the Cavaliers’ captains along with fellow senior midfielder Michael Bodine. The leadership roles should serve them well in preparation for their military careers.

Both are more leaders by example than vocal commanders on the field.

“A lot more of leadership is a result of how you play than the words you say,” Jackson said.

Their actions on the field speak volumes.

Jackson ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list at JF with a total of 48 goals and 32 assists while Rochow is tied with Andrew Dempsey, another senior midfielder, at 11th in career goals with 26.

Rochow’s older brother Jim, who signed at Elon two years ago and plans to transfer to Lynchburg College this fall, ranks third on the career points list with 159 (60 goals, 42 assists), despite missing his entire senior season with a leg injury.

Jackson and David Rochow have swapped positions this spring, with Rochow moving up to play the lone forward position in the Cavaliers’ new 4-5-1 attack and Jackson dropping back to center midfielder.

“It’s kind of an attack midfielder,” Jackson said.

The Midshipmen likely will run the same formation next fall, giving Jackson a season to get used to it.

With the switch, Forest should have even more firepower around the box with the five midfielders on attack and defenders making runs from the back.

“Last year, we tried to get more through balls for breakaways,” Jackson said. “This year, I’d say (most of his shots will come from) on the top of the box.”

Like the one he blasted in at Rustburg on Tuesday.

“He hit a bullet from about 25 yards out,” Zaring said. “That will fire people up when you do ... that.”

Rochow, who’s 6-feet, 180 pounds, is being recruited as a defender at VMI.

“He’s a big, solid kid and he’s getting bigger,” Zaring said.

“College is much more about size and speed,” Rochow added.

He plays an aggressive style of soccer, and doesn’t back down from physical confrontations, especially on 50-50 balls around the goal, where he uses his height to get his head on crossing passes.

“I don’t get too many yellows (cards),” Rochow said. “I’m surprised.”

Zaring hopes the same attributes that make Rochow attractive to colleges searching for defensive stoppers will translate well to playing up top at the high school level for the Cavaliers.

“He’s a tough guy to get the ball off of,” Zaring said. “He’s very technical, so he can deal with pretty much any kind of ball that is served to him.”

Like a post player in basketball, Rochow will often play with his back to the goal and, after receiving entry passes and drawing defenders in the box, kick the ball out to teammates on the perimeter.

“The object of that position is to show for the ball … hold it and wait for somebody coming up from out of the back,” Zaring said.

Jackson will be one of his primary passing options. Similar to a point guard in baskeball, he has the ability to drive to the goal with the ball at his feet.

“DJ’s natural ability is he’s really good running at people,” Zaring said. “He’s not really a good back-to-the goal striker. I’d rather have DJ receiving the ball and running at the goal, he’s so tricky as a dribbler.”

Unlike Tim Bullock, JF’s leading scorer last year now at LU, who often made long runs with the ball, Jackson is more of a stealthy, lightning-strike finisher.

“DJ’s not fast in a sprint,” Zaring said. “But he’s very quick and such a technical player that his speed really shows with the ball at his feet.

“The trick is, if we can get Dave and DJ to work together, they’re going to be tough to deal with.”