AT STAKE: PERFECTION, CONFERENCE, DISTRICT; JACKSON, 9-0, CLASHES WITH BLUFF

The Jackson High football program has had its fair share of success over the years.

District titles and conference championships have been nothing new to the Indians, especially under the nine-year coaching reign of Carl Gross. The Indians even moved up to the No. 7 slot in the Class 5A rankings this week.

And once again, the Indians have positioned themselves to win another district and SEMO North Conference championship. A win over the Poplar Bluff Mules (6-3, 2-0) will clinch Jackson's second consecutive conference and district titles.

But that's not all that's at stake for the Indians tonight when they host the Mules in a winner-take-all contest.

With a 9-0 record, the Indians will be attempting to become the first Jackson football team since 1935 to complete a perfect regular-season. That team, coached by Jim Miller, outscored it's opponents 307-0 in going 10-0.

Gross, impressed by the accomplishments of the 1997 team, has attempted to keep the Indians focussed on the importance of this one game. Despite all of the Indians' success this season, a loss to the Mules would end Jackson's season.

"If we win we get to play at home again," said Gross, referring to the fact Jackson would host a first-round playoff game. "If we don't, we check our gear in on Tuesday. I want (the team) to know the finality of it and let them know what's in front of them."

Standing in front of the Indians will be a Poplar Bluff team that has won its last four football games. All four of those wins coincided with the return of tailback Jeric Blackmon, suspended earlier in the season.

In only four games, Blackmon has rushed for a team-leading 715 yards and scored 12 TDs, including 280 yards and three scores in last week's 25-24 win over Cape Central.

"They haven't lost a game since they got Jeric Blackmon back and (quarterback Andy) Cisne has a very strong arm," Gross said. "He has the ability to move them through the air."

But what makes the Mules' offense go, according to first-year coach Mark Barousse, has been the movement of Ryan Schlimpert back to fullback since Blackmon's return.

"Jeric is a great back and him being back helps us, but the key to our offense is Ryan Schlimpert," said Barousse. "The way we use him at fullback enables us to do a lot of things we weren't able to do early in the season when he had to play tailback."

The Mules have developed a new-found confidence in their last four games that started with a 20-17 comeback win against Waynesville, then ranked in the 4A poll.

"We're not cocky, but over the last four weeks we've developed a lot of self-confidence," Barousse said. "It's shown the last few weeks, the way we've come back in some games. We've just refused to quit.

"It's not something that's said, it's just something that oozes out. We've been practicing hard and things seem to carry over to Friday nights."

With nine comfortable victories under their belts, the Indians should have plenty of confidence as well.

"This is what kids go out to play football for," Gross said. "You put yourself in a situation to play for a championship, and we've got that opportunity in front of us. If we handle it, then we deserve to be (champions). If we don't, Bluff deserves it."

As the season winds down, Jackson has turned to halfback Devree Flint more and more. Flint has taken the top spots in both area scoring (24 TDs) and rushing (1,470 yards).

Gross realizes the outstanding season Flint has had, but is more interested in another statistic.

"The only statistic we talk about over here is wins and losses," said Gross. "We never have talked about individual statistics or goals. The only statistic that means anything is whether you win or lose."

Despite the Mules' new level of confidence, Barousse admitted the importance of the game has shown on his players. Last year, Jackson whipped the Mules 35-12.

"They're definitely tense," Barousse said of his players. "They realize what's on the line."