INDIANS PREPARE FOR ROAD TRIP '97

New starting quarterback Justin Keen listens to instructions from head coach Carl Gross. Keen played wide-receiver last year for the Indians.

Jackson players are in good physical condition for this time of the season according to coach Gross.

The offensive line for Jackson will play a big role in the new multiple attack offense for the Indians.

With the Indians huge following, this year's road heavy schedule doesn't scare head coach Carl Gross. Jackson, which finished 8-2 last year, will play six road games and only have four home appearances.

"We've played well on the road and we tell our players that the fields are the same on the road as they are at home," Gross said.

"We've got such a great following. It gives us a home field atmosphere," he added.

But the main reason for the coach's optimism for the upcoming year rests in the experience and athletic ability of the 1997 Indians team.

"We've got a good group of seniors."

J.P. Hall, Kyle Thompson, Justin Petzoldt, Kent Langston and Travis Wilson have a lot of game experience, Gross said.

In the backfield and the receiving squad Jackson has tremendous depth.

Right now Jackson has six running backs that will see playing time. Devry Flint, Kyle Ward, Todd Wessel, Justin Gladish, Ryan Beltz and Ryan Propst will spend time carrying the pigskin during the campaign.

Receivers coach Rex Crosnoe told Gross that he feels that he has eight or nine guys that can play on the varsity level as receivers. Andy Callis, Harith Jones, Travis Stevens, Paul Leoni, Justin Suedemeyer, Tory Meyer, Robert Haupt and Jason Goben will all compete for playing time at the wide out position.

Because of the depth on offense the Indians will have a multiple attack using three-back sets along with their traditional two-back set. There will also be more three-wide receiver sets in Jackson's offensive scheme.

"We are going to pass more than in the past," Gross said.

The key to this new multiple offensive scheme will be senior quarterback Justin Keen.

This will be Keen's first chance as a starter at QB. Keen has spent the last two seasons playing wide receiver and as a backup QB to Mike Gross.

While Keen has little game experience at QB, Coach Gross said he has a lot of game experience and a live arm.

"He's intelligent, a good athlete and he's prepared well for the season."

Keen's 6'5" stature won't hurt matters either.

"We're looking forward to him having a good year."

The job of protecting Keen and making holes for the running game will fall on Lance McClard, Kyle Thompson, J.P. Hall, Nick Lohman, Kent Langston, Chad Francis and Justin Petzoldt.

Offensive line coach Bob Sink is getting them ready for another rough year in class 5A football where last year Jackson won the SEMO North Conference going 3-0 before losing in the first round of the state playoffs.

The tight end position will be strong once again for Jackson. Travis Wilson leads the corps but look for Kris Baranovic and Nathan McWilliams to see quality time at tight end.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jackson will do much of the same things they've done in the past.

"We'll continue our odd fronts where we will do slanting and stunting out of those."

"The coaches (Brandon Norman and Van Hitt) do a good job with that bunch."

Jackson is inexperienced at inside linebacker, but with more practice time the coaches feel that they will be strong. Travis Wilson will move from outside linebacker, where he played last year, to inside linebacker.

Wilson along with Kyle Thompson, Kyle Ward and Justin Gladish will fill out the linebacker positions.

The defensive line will have Kent Langston, J.P. Hall, Justin Petzoldt and Nick Lohman leading the rush.

In the secondary, Jason Goben, Andy Callis, Paul Leoni, Todd Wessel and Travis Stevens will try to intimidate receivers and quarterbacks.

"We've looked well in our early drills. We've been real happy with our progress."

"Our physical condition is at a good level at this point in the season."

Coach Gross said that the conference will be tough to win this year. He said that Cape Central (6-4 overall/0-3 conference last year) is much improved and Everybody seems to think Sikeston (6-4 overall/2-1 conference) is the team to beat. Gross said he doesn't know much about Poplar Bluff (4-6 overall/1-2 conference) yet, but he said they've got a good coach and have had some real good junior varsity teams in recent years.

Jackson will have a scrimmage on Aug. 29 against Cape Central, Sikeston and St. Vincent in the first ever Jamboree in Sikeston. Jackson opens their season at home against Riverview Gardens on Sept. 5.