Charleston drops to 0-3 in loss to Tigers

Sikeston (Mo.) Standard Democrat

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- The Charleston Bluejays remained winless on the season after a 46-27 loss to SEMO Central rival Caruthersville on Friday night.

The Bluejays (0-3, 0-2 SEMO) had no answer for the Tigers' speed as junior tailback Jimmy Jackson rushed for 266 yards with three touchdowns.

Senior running back Chris Springer added 215 all-purpose yardage while scoring three TDs.

"We knew they had speed -- we knew that they could go at any time and they did all night," said Charleston head coach Brent Anderson.

Trailing 7-0, the Bluejays had a chance to tie the game but the Tigers' defense held firm on fourth-and-inches at the goal line.

Three plays later, on 3rd-and-9, Jackson took a toss sweep and broke free for a 98-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter.

Caruthersville (1-2, 1-1 SEMO) went on to take a commanding 33-7 lead at the half.

Charleston was able to battle back, trimming the lead to 39-27 in the fourth quarter.

Jackson broke the Bluejays' back once again, scampering free for a 65-yard TD run with nine minutes left in the game to set the final margin.

"They're a lot better than a lot of people think they are and I don't think we're as good as we think we are," said Anderson. "We played our worst ballgame of the year. Anything that could happen, did happen.

Everything they did went right. Everything we did went wrong. They had an answer for everything we did."