In this episode of Inside the Lines, Curt Conrad and Effie James sit down with Centerburg junior Jackson Ballinger, a tight end and edge rusher making waves both on the field and in the classroom. Jackson shares what it’s been like juggling college recruiting visits — from Duke to Alabama to Florida — while keeping up with all his classes and leading his team. He reflects on the thrill of receiving his first offer as a freshman and what he's looking for in a college program beyond NIL opportunities. 

Jackson also discusses what he's learned from last season’s playoff run and Centerburg’s first playoff victory since 2014. He opens up about his growth as a leader, the lessons he carries over from being a track & field athlete and how he approaches offense versus defense. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire questions about his favorite subjects, a player he models himself after in the NFL and even the Centerburg Oldtime Farming Festival.

This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall. 

It's also sponsored by the Knox Parent Support Initiative. 

Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom. 

Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism. 

Read more: 
Centerburg 2025 team preview
Mistakes haunt Centerburg in loss to Northmor

In this episode of Inside the Lines, Curt Conrad and Effie James sit down with Centerburg junior Jackson Ballinger, a tight end and edge rusher making waves both on the field and in the classroom. Jackson shares what it&rsquo;s been like juggling college recruiting visits &mdash; from Duke to Alabama to Florida &mdash; while keeping up with all his classes and leading his team. He reflects on the thrill of receiving his first offer as a freshman and what he's looking for in a college program beyond NIL opportunities.&nbsp;
Jackson also discusses what he's learned from last season&rsquo;s playoff run and Centerburg&rsquo;s first playoff victory since 2014. He opens up about his growth as a leader, the lessons he carries over from being a track &amp; field athlete and how he approaches offense versus defense. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire questions about his favorite subjects, a player he models himself after in the NFL and even the Centerburg Oldtime Farming Festival.
This episode is brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grahamautomall.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.grahamautomall.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757642488629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2hYGW9zLUp6m8uqwYG0lic">Graham Auto Mall</a>.&nbsp;
It's also sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.triplep-parenting.com/oh-en/parenting-courses/other-triple-p-regions/positive-parenting-in-knox-county-oh/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.triplep-parenting.com/oh-en/parenting-courses/other-triple-p-regions/positive-parenting-in-knox-county-oh/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757642488629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VYXK-izfskMrACp_vfT_w">Knox Parent Support Initiative</a>.&nbsp;
Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/52JxoCe4O1yDhDV4Rm6Mom" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://open.spotify.com/album/52JxoCe4O1yDhDV4Rm6Mom&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757642488629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1C8HUDd5ySBDO7Xw2ZQLNb">Vaundoom</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/members/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/members/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757642488629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Aka4PpkOwSX0fkZMSANne">Be a Source Member</a>&nbsp;for unlimited access to local journalism.&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxpages.com/2025/08/17/2025-centerburg-trojans-football-preview-schedule-players-and-outlook/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.knoxpages.com/2025/08/17/2025-centerburg-trojans-football-preview-schedule-players-and-outlook/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757642488629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3sGDrk_wTPs6veNW9FdA4f">Centerburg 2025 team preview</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxpages.com/2024/11/09/mistakes-haunt-centerburg-in-loss-to-northmor/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.knoxpages.com/2024/11/09/mistakes-haunt-centerburg-in-loss-to-northmor/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757642488629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0maoauXproRtn8RM2Sm3Wr">Mistakes haunt Centerburg in loss to Northmor</a></li>
</ul>

Richland Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.

Our music is by THE AFRXNTS

Richland&nbsp;Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.
Our music is by <a href="https://linktr.ee/theafrxnts">THE AFRXNTS</a>