BRUNKE, NORMAN LEAD JACKSON'S RETURN TRIP TO THE STATE PLAYOFFS

FARMINGTON -- The Jackson Indians found the best path to the Class 4A, District 1 football championship was a direct one Friday night at Farmington High School.

Using the bruising running of tailback Glen Brunke and fullback Nathan Norman, the Indians returned to the state playoffs with a 28-14 victory over the Farmington Knights.

The two runners combined for over 460 pounds and they teamed up for much more against Farmington.

The pair combined for 429 yards rushing and all four Jackson touchdowns. Three of the touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, which began tied 7-7.

"They were just too much physically for us," said Farmington coach Mike Thebeau. "Late in the game they took it to us and we couldn't stop them."

Jackson, which improved to 7-2, went exclusively to Norman and Brunke in the second half. Of 30 offensive plays, the pair carried 28 times. Farmington fell to 6-3.

Brunke rushed for 96 of his 252 yards in the fourth quarter. Norman rushed for 121 of his 177 yards in the second half. Both had two touchdowns.

"Once we got our intensity up, we felt like we manhandled them," said Indian offensive tackle Chris Inman, who also had a couple of sacks on defense. "They couldn't stop us."

Added Inman, "With the backs and line we've got, if we get our minds to it, nothing can stop us."

The Indians mostly stopped themselves in the first half with two turnovers and 40 yards of penalties. Jackson fumbled on its first two possessions, with the second leading to an 8-yard scoring pass from Clint Thebeau to Jeremy Holmes.

Jackson drew even on its fourth possession of the game as Norman capped a 66-yard drive with a 2-yard plunge. Mike Gross kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie with 4:17 left in the first half.

"I think they really were prepared the first quarter and we came out the first half kind of flat," said Norman. "It seems like we've been doing that a lot. I'm just glad we came back in the fourth quarter."

The Indians relived a trend of recent games. Jackson trailed North County last week in the fourth quarter and the Indians again responded. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Brunke broke loose for a 49-yard touchdown run.

After holding Farmington three downs and out on its next possession, Jackson put together a 68-yard drive in five plays. Brunke scored on a 10-yard run with 9:54 left.

Farmington retaliated with its only other touchdown, but Jackson answered with a 71-yard scoring drive in the closing minutes.

Jackson returns to action next Thursday night when the Indians close out the regular season by hosting Potosi.