DISTRICT FUELS CENTRAL-JACKSON RIVALRY; CLASS 5A, DISTRICT 1 BERTH IN THE BALANCE

It's the kind of game in which heroes are made.

The annual Cape Central-Jackson football game, a matchup which dates back to 1912, is the undisputed "Big Game" in this part of the state.

"They could make a documentary on it," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "It's what high school sports are about. There's some people who are famous for the Cape Central-Jackson football game."

A new hero or two will be ordained tonight when Cape Central visits Jackson. Kickoff is at 7:30.

As an added bonus, this game has major playoff implications. Both teams are 1-0 in Class 5A District 1 play, and the winner might clinch the district title tonight depending upon the result of the game between Poplar Bluff and Vianney.

"I don't have to spend a lot of time hanging (motivational) stuff in the locker room," Gross said. "(Fans) will be packed in there as tight as you can push them in. And they'll be four deep around the track, bumper-to-bumper."

Last week, Jackson edged Poplar Bluff 20-19 in overtime, while Central held off Vianney 47-30.

For both teams, it was a high-point in a rollercoaster season.

"This past Friday night reminded me of the last four years," said Gross, whose Indians are 4-4 after going 42-8 in the previous four years.

Central is 3-5 against one of the state's toughest schedules. The Tigers saw a 33-10 lead over Vianney last week shrink to 33-30 before they added a pair of late touchdowns.

"This team won't let me relax," Central coach Jerry Dement said. "But offensively, I thought we really executed our game plan well, and we had our best game of the year line-wise."

Tonight's game is an interesting matchup of somewhat mismatched teams.

Jackson will live or die by the run, relying upon 1200-yard rusher Todd Wessel and an offensive line which played its best football of the season last week against Poplar Bluff.

Cape Central has been somewhat soft against the run this season.

"We'd better stop the run," Dement said. We've got to stop Todd Wessel. He's the key."

Cape Central has made much of its fortune off its passing game and big play ability. Quarterback Frank McGinty has thrown for 1,475 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

"Poplar Bluff throws the ball pretty well, and we held our own," Gross said. "We're going to make Frank recognize covers. It's going to be eight in the box, bring five and not bring the same five all the time."

"I'm impressed with them defensively," Dement said. "They're going to play it safe in the secondary, and defensively, their line gets off the football."

Chris Allen has 53 catches for 683 yards and nine touchdowns for the Tigers. He and Donnie McClinton are both threat on kick and punt returns.

"I know one thing," Gross said. "We're certainly going to try to kick the ball away from (Allen). He's a playmaker. I sure don't want to make him the hero of the Cape-Jackson game."

Jackson has won four consecutive games, dating back to 1994. Prior to that, Central won four of five.

Jackson has won six of the last 10 meetings. Central leads the series 54-30.

Place: Jackson High School

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Records: Cape Central (3-5, 1-0)

Jackson (4-4, 1-0)

Radio: KZIM-960

Series: Cape Central leads 54-30