Jackson: New line, same old Zweigart

Senior running back Adam Zweigart is on a mission to help lead the Indians to their first football state title in school history.

"I think our team's goal is that we're going to actually make it through the playoffs this time and we're going to win state this year," Zweigart said. "I'm calling it. We're going. And we're winning."

Zweigart dashed for 1,751 yards on 215 carries and scored 17 touchdowns while leading Jackson to an undefeated regular season (10-0) and a trip to the Class 5 state semifinal, where the Indians lost to Waynesville 25-14 last fall.

Zweigart, the 2007 Southeast Missourian football player of the year and a first-team all-state selection at running back, wants to take it one step further this year. But he will have to do it with a new offensive line.

The entire 2007 line, including first-team all-state guard Brian Hill, graduated.

"We did have a lot of places to fill, but I think we're filling them fine this year," Zweigart said. "I don't think we're going to have a big problem with offense."

The 6-foot, 180-pound Zweigart does not feel like he has anything to prove with a different line blocking for him. He's confident he and his new line will do the job.

"We just need to get pumped up and ready to play," Zweigart said.

First-year coach Van Hitt said his team will run the football a lot, just like the program has done in the past.

Some of his formations will be different, but the Indians will be a run-first and pass-second team.

Hitt accepted the position as head coach after Carl Gross resigned in January. Gross posted a 137-69 record in 19 years. Hitt was an assistant coach with the Indians since 1979 and the defensive coordinator at Jackson for the past 19 seasons.

Hitt promoted assistant Nathan Norman to offensive coordinator.

"[Norman] is pretty much in the same page as coach Gross was with the offense," Hitt said. "We are primarily a run-based team. We're probably going to continue that way because that's where most of our talent lies in the running game versus the passing game. But we're going to try to incorporate more passing into it. Possibly more vertical passing and try to get the field stretched a little bit."

Junior Blake Fields (5-9, 190 pounds), likely will play center. Seniors Luke Brown (5-9, 175), Matt Brown (6-1, 215), Jake Wolpers (6-0, 230) and juniors Alex Parker (6-1, 235) and Max McNeely (6-3, 235 pounds) likely all will see time on the offensive line.

"It might be a little tougher on [Zweigart]," junior Cole Rodgers said discussing the new line. "But he's a nice running back, so I don't think he'll have big trouble with it. I mean, he'll have to show a little bit more, but I think he can handle it."

Zweigart set the bar for running backs in Southeast Missouri with several dominant performances last year. He averaged 8.14 yards per carry and 145.9 yards per game. He rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians' first three offensive series against Sikeston. He dashed for 155 yards on just six carries against Seckman.

While Zweigart dominated throughout 2007, he did share time with then-senior Cody Randen, who ran for 671 yards on 131 carries.

Zweigart again likely will not carry the full load. Hitt said he was impressed with two other backs — Rodgers and senior Mitchell McCulley — during offseason workouts.

Rodgers primarily played defense last fall, recording 83 tackles and one sack at linebacker. He was a running back in eighth and ninth grade.

Rodgers said he is not sure how much he will be used, but added he might be asked to carry the ball in short-yardage situations. Meanwhile, McCulley was not a regular starter on offense or defense last fall.

Senior Andy Winkleblack returns as the starting fullback. He slimmed down over the offseason from 250 pounds to 220 pounds.

"[Rodgers] is quick and agile, but the main thing is that he's powerful," Zweigart said. "Winkleblack slimmed down a lot. He's a lot faster than he was. But it's the same old Winkleblack. He still hits hard and blocks good."

Zweigart could play some defensive back this year, which also might require him to share some time at running back to get some rest during games.

"I think it's going to be pretty much the same as last year on how we switched off and on [at running back]," Zweigart said. "I don't know if I'm going to be playing much defense or not, but if I'm playing defense, it's going to be the same as last year. I think we're going to be the same. ... It just depends on if the coach wants to use me more as a dominant offensive player or if he just wants me to go both ways."

Senior quarterback Marcus Harris said he has confidence that the line will do its job.

"I think people are underestimating really what we have," Harris said. "We'll be better than people think this year. I think we're young, but size-wise and ability-wise, I think we're still there. So I think our line will rise to the challenge because that's what they're told to do."

Other offensive weapons

Harris returns as the quarterback after completing 56-of-126 passes for 796 yards last year. He threw 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

His two top receivers last year, James Perkins and Matt Lang, graduated. Jackson also graduated tight end Antonio Garritano.

Senior tight end Kevin Pridemore, who shared some time with Garritano last year, returns as a viable option.

Junior Taylor Kight could be used as a blocking tight end, Hitt said.

Seniors Jake Wren and Andy Zeller as well as junior Tommy Selsor will share time at wide receiver.

"We have different formations, but it's pretty much the same thing," Zweigart. "It's the same old Jackson."

Jackson running back Adam Zweigart broke loose for a 70-yard run against Poplar Bluff last season. Zweigart rushed for 1,751 yards and was a first-team all-state selection. (AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com) [Order this photo]

2007 Results

at Howell Central W 8-0

vs. Parkway North W 21-12

vs. Vianney W 21-7

at Sikeston W 42-0

at Clayton W 44-14

at Central W 56-13

vs. Poplar Bluff W 35-21

vs. Eureka W 21-20

at Parkway West W 14-6

vs. Seckman W 42-0

Playoffs

vs. McCluer North W 24-7

at Waynesville L 25-14

Senior Marcus Harris returns at quarterback for the Indians. Harris threw for 796 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007. AARON EISENHAUER aeisenhauer@semissourian.com [Order this photo]

2008 schedule

Aug. 29 at Riverview Gardens

Sept. 5 at Parkway South

Sept. 12 at Gateway Tech

Sept. 19 Sikeston

Sept. 26 Hazelwood Central

Oct. 3 Farmington

Oct. 10 at Poplar Bluff

Oct. 17 at Eureka

Oct. 24 Rockwood Summit

Oct. 30 Central

Record and coach since 2000

2000 Gross 9-1

2001 Gross 12-1

2002 Gross 2-8

2003 Gross 4-5

2004 Gross 7-3

2005 Gross 6-4

2006 Gross 6-4

2007 Gross 11-1

Jackson quarterback Marcus Harris throws an unsuccessful pass to the endzone during the second quarter against Eureka on Friday, October 19, 2007. (AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com) [Order this photo]

2008 roster

1 Alex Rhodes QB 6-2 180 So.

3 Ethan Ruch R/DB 5-10 165 So.

5 Jake Wren R/DB 6-1 190 Sr.

6 Justin Trepanier R/DB 5-5 145 So.

7 Chris Amos R/DB 5-10 165 Sr.

8 Bobby Clark QB/LB 6-4 195 So.

9 Afton Eftink R/DB 6-0 137 So.

10 Skyler Kempf R/DB 6-2 165 Jr.

11 Mark Bertrand R/DB 5-9 140 So.

12 Tommy Selsor R/S 5-11 160 Jr.

14 Derick Schermerhoen R/DB 5-8 170 So.

15 Kyle Schaper R/S 6-3 162 Jr.

16 Marcus Harris QB 6-2 195 Sr.

17 Curtis Reisenbichler R/DB 5-11 150 Jr.

18 Morgan Johnson R/K 5-6 145 Jr.

20 Austin Gonzaque RB/DB 5-9 167 So.

21 Michael Abernathy FB/LB 5-10 188 Sr.

22 Caleb Propst R/DB 5-11 159 Jr.

23 Cody Kester R/DB 5-10 167 Jr.

27 Taylor Kight TE/LB 6-2 195 Jr.

28 Mitchell McCulley R/S 6-0 175 Sr.

29 Graham Hoffman R/DB 6-0 133 So.

30 Taylor Quade RB/DB 5-8 155 So.

31 Cole Rodgers FB/LB 6-1 210 Jr.

32 Caleb Wren R/DB 6-0 155 So.

33 Drew Bucher FB/LB 6-1 195 Sr.

34 Andrew Winkleblack FB/LB 6-0 220 Sr.

36 Stetson Proffer R/DB 5-7 136 So.

37 Jerrett Schwab FB/LB 5-10 190 Jr.

38 Blake Jones R/DB 5-10 160 Sr.

40 Kevin White FB/LB 5-5 155 Jr.

41 Adam Zweigart RB/DB 6-0 180 Sr.

42 Ryan Marble FB/LB 6-0 177 So.

43 Brent Floyd FB/LB 6-0 196 Sr.

44 Tyler Seabaugh FB/LB 5-10 190 Jr.

45 Scott Kinder FB/LB 5-10 180 Jr.

48 Eli Gohn TE/DL 6-2 210 Jr.

50 Austin Nenninger OL/DL 6-0 175 So.

51 Chris Stairs OL/DL 5-9 225 Jr.

52 Dillan Doza OL/DL 5-11 180 Jr.

53 Mitchell Montgomery R/DB 6-0 200 Jr.

54 Jacob Wolpers OL/DL 6-0 230 Sr.

55 Michael Riney C/LB 5-8 205 So.

56 Luke Slinkard OL/DL 5-9 200 So.

57 Blake Fields C/DL 5-9 190 Jr.

58 Wesley Dillard OL/DL 6-4 215 So.

59 Blake Peiffer OL/LB 6-1 225 Sr.

60 Trac Miinch OL/DL 5-8 205 So.

61 Justin Sievers FB/LB 5-5 145 So.

62 Austin Wadley OL/DL 5-4 182 So.

63 Chris Farris OL/DL 5-10 220 Jr.

64 Chris Eldridge OL/DL 5-11 280 So.

66 Seth Schlegel OL/DL 5-10 200 So.

67 Lucas Brown OL/DL 5-9 175 Sr.

68 Kris Brown OL/DL 6-2 250 Sr.

69 Christopher Ludwig OL/DL 6-1 210 So.

70 Chaz Wilson OL/DL 6-2 220 Jr.

71 Brandon Duffy OL/DL 6-1 210 So.

72 Alex Collier OL/DL 6-3 270 So.

73 Dalton Cochran OL/DL 5-10 220 Jr.

74 Bayne Farmer OL/DL 5-2 260 So.

75 Matthew Brown OL/DL 6-1 215 Sr.

76 J.T. Payne OL/DL 6-0 198 So.

77 Alex Parker OL/DL 6-1 235 Jr.

78 Edward Englehart OL/DL 5-9 230 Jr.

79 Max McNeely OL/DL 6-3 235 Jr.

80 Tyler Michie TE/LB 6-0 170 So.

81 Henry Williams TE/DE 6-4 245 Jr.

82 Dalton Watwood R/LB 6-2 165 So.

83 Blake Smith R/S 6-0 150 So.

84 Bennett Smith R/LB 5-11 180 Jr.

87 Andrew Zeller TE/LB 6-1 180 Sr.

88 Kurt McDowell R/DB 6-3 157 So.

89 Kyle Borneman R/DB 6-0 168 Sr.

91 Jake Long R/DB 6-1 150 So.

96 Jordan Daugherty R/DB 5-11 155 So.

97 Kevin Pridemore TE/DE 6-1 215 Sr.

Jackson head coach Van Hitt talked with his players on the first day of football practice Monday. (FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com) [Order this photo]

Jackson head coach Van Hitt sent Tyler Eftink, left, out to catch footballs on the first day of practice Monday. (FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com) [Order this photo]

Senior Andy Winkleblack, left, returns as the starting fullback for the Indians, while Mitchell McCulley will provide depth at running back. (FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com) [Order this photo]