Greater Cincinnati native and Bengals' former second-round pick is stepping up and filling the gaps on the offensive line.The Bengals were without two starting offensive linemen during Sunday's divisional playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson Carman, a starter off and on during his rookie year, was pushed into service at left tackle during the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens. After a week of reps and preparation, the hometown kid came out of the game Sunday, ready to play. His high school football coach Jason Krause was in the stands of Highmark Stadium, watching alongside Carman's family."I'm so proud of him," Krause said.A chapter of Carman's story took place inside Fairfield high school's weight room. Krause commanded Carman's focus, mental toughness, dedication, and hardworking nature to where he is today."He's one of the brightest kids I've coached," Krause said. "There's no doubt about that."Krause and the star offensive lineman have a bond that cannot be measured by yards on a football field; the two are like family."He was a huge part of our program over the last 12 years," Krause said. "I saw Jackson's development from middle school all the way through."Carman's sophomore year of high school, the college offers started pouring in, and ultimately, he chose to go to the University of Clemson.Krause has pictures of Carman playing college football in Fairfield's football team's locker room.After college, the Greater Cincinnati Kid was selected with the 46th pick of the 2021 draft. While watching the draft alongside his family members, including Coach Krause, Carman received a call from a 513 area code, and he was chosen by his hometown team, the Bengals.His transition into playing professional ball was much like the game of football; tough and challenging at times."He came into this year playing some right guard and left guard and had opportunities early," Krause said. "You know, he didn't win that job."Tackling adversity, Carman kept his nose to the grindstone and never gave up. He was then called on to step up at the biggest of stages at Highmark Stadium during the AFC Divisional Playoffs. He played his natural spot at left tackle, and during the game, Joe Burrow was sacked once all game.His Bengals OL Coach Frank Pollack embraced Carman, and Coach Krause watched the game with pride."He got his shot and made the best of it," Krause said. "Yesterday, I found myself in the stands, not watching who was catching passes or what was going on in the game. Instead, I was a coach in the box, focusing on his every play and effort. I wanted to make sure he was doing his job. I felt like he had a really good day."

One of the faces suiting up for the Cincinnati Bengals on Super Bowl is a Greater Cincinnati product.Jackson Carman is serving as proof to future Fairfield football players that hopes of playing in the NFL really can come true."It's surreal to sit in your living room or wherever you're at and just to watch a kid you got to work with and coach and be so close with on that stage, on that field, in that environment," said Fairfield High School head football coach Jason Krause.Krause started coaching Carman when he was in the seventh grade.The two have formed an unbreakable bond."Couple weeks ago, Monday after one of the games he came over to the house and we grilled out. Had a great time just got to spend a little time decompressing from football," Krause said.Krause now coachES Carman in life and is helping him get ready for the biggest game of his career."He was like, 'Coach, you have no idea how crazy this is right now.' And I don't. There's no way I could put myself in his shoes. I said, 'Enjoy this experience. You got into this game as a little kid because you loved it,'" Krause said.Krause is proud of all Carman has accomplished, including some key moments to help clinch the AFC Championship."To see him have a couple of big blocks on big plays, just to hear his name, hear Tony Romo mention Jackson Carman," he said.The rookie has the full backing of his community.A group of cafeteria workers proudly wear Carman's jersey on Fridays.They're part of the Fairfield faithful who are supporting one of their own."He's got a chance to go play in the Super Bowl. It's just awesome to have a kid that you worked with like that. To see all that hard work pay off and in our profession that's the ultimate," Krause said.