CIRCLE THE WAGONS: PIONEERS, INDIANS CLASH IN 5A SECTIONAL

Looking for a drop-dead, even football game?

The 10-0 Jackson High Indians and 9-0 Kirkwood Pioneers should provide such a contest tonight in their Class 5A opening-round playoff game at "The Pit" in Jackson. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

"It's kind of a neat opening sectional game," said fourth-year Kirkwood coach Mike Wade. "There's only four undefeated teams in 5A and two of them are matched up in the first round."

Going into the game, both teams couldn't appear more similar:

* Kirkwood is ranked sixth in 5A; Jackson seventh.

* Kirkwood averages 34.3 points a game; Jackson 33.9

* Both feature outstanding running games, with Jackson's Devree Flint leading the area with 1,679 yards and 28 touchdowns; Kirkwood's Chaz Baker has 1,321 yards and 18 TDs.

"Kirkwood has some outstanding players, but we're not bad either," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "When you look at it, it ought to be a heck of a football game."

The Indians are coming off an emotional 33-19 win over Poplar Bluff that not only clinched the district, but earned Jackson its first undefeated regular season since 1935. But for all their success, a fire still burns inside this team after last year's 35-6 sectional loss at Mehlville.

"There were a few comments in the St. Louis paper (last year), about Jackson not being ready and I think our kids took it kind of personal," Gross said. "Our kids were disappointed after that game. We feel we didn't set our goals high enough, but I don't think this team feels that way."

With the short week of preparation after Friday's victory, Gross was pleasantly surprised by his players' performance in practices over the weekend.

"They came in here this weekend and I thought they'd be sore, beat up and tired; but we had a couple of our best practices," Gross said. "These kids know what's expected of them and they know what they have to do to have a chance to win ... and that's what they do."

By beating Mehlville 24-6 for the District 2 title, Kirkwood comes in as somewhat of a Cinderella team after last year's 4-6 season. Tonight's playoff game will be the first for the Pioneers since they qualified in both the '92 and '93 seasons.

With the return of eight starters on offense and nine on defense -- plus a fairly easy schedule -- Wade had a feeling his team could have a big year.

"We thought we'd be okay, but we jelled early, won some big games and just kind of rode the wave," said Wade. "We knew we'd be competitive, but we're pleasantly surprised to be where we are."

The Pioneers have prospered with their Wishbone-attack all season. Quarterback Emil Porter has thrown just 23 times all season (completing 10 passes), but he's also the second-leading rusher on the team with 477 yards. Including Andre Jones (458 yards) and Leon Spivey (437 yards), the Pioneers have four runners over 400 yards.

"We're pretty balanced except for Chaz," said Wade. "But (when) Mehlville took away Chaz Baker, we still had three backs rush for over 100 yards."

Kirkwood offensive tackles Graham Sleight (6-3 330) and Rusty Groth (6-5, 270) lead the offensive line.

"We're a pretty physical team," Wade said. "I don't know if we're as physical as Jackson, but we'll show up and play the ball game and see how it goes. We're not the kind of team that's going to get intimidated, but we sure do respect the heck out of Jackson."

After watching the Indians play five times this year, Wade has found several points of concern.

"We've seen enough of Jackson to know they're for real," said Wade. "Devree Flint concerns me and their big linemen concern me. We really think the world of both (Eric) Langston and (J.P.) Hall."

Wade also touched on another problem several teams have discovered this season.

"You can't really key on Flint or (Todd) Wessel because if you do, they'll hit (Travis) Wilson for a pass," said Wade. "(Justin) Keen is an excellent thrower. They just don't use him as much as they have to because of the ability of Flint and Wessel."

But for the third week in a row, Wessel and his 456 yards rushing will be on the sideline with an injured hip. Senior Justin Gladish will start in Wessel's place.

Despite the loss of Wessel, Gross is expecting the best from his team.

"Our players know they have their hands full, but they expect to come out and play their best game of the year," Gross said. "I know they haven't folded the tent and thought about going deer hunting yet."