Game No. 91 - Central, Jackson build on an old rivalry

In the ebb and flow of a rivalry approaching 100-years, Central will be cast in the underdog role tonight when it visits Jackson.

Last year heading into the annual Central-Jackson clash, the Tigers were off to a 4-1 start and considered one of the top teams in the area. Jackson, a mediocre 2-2 at the time, dominated the Tigers en route to a 27-14 win.

This year, Jackson that sports the 4-1 record, while the Tigers have limped out of the gates with a 1-4 record. The teams will meet for the 91st time with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Tigers coach Lawrence Brookins said coming in as the underdog suits him well.

"It motivates me. That's something I try to use as motivation for the kids," he said. "I love being the underdog."

After last week's games, the Tigers will look to build on their momentum and pay back the Indians with an upset victory of their own.

Central is coming off its best performance of the season, giving Class 6 power St. Louis University High School all it could handle in a 21-13 loss.

"The kids realize they're playing at a faster clip right now," Brookins said.

Added Jackson coach Carl Gross, "Right now they're at the top of their game."

Meanwhile, the Indians had their worst performance against a strong Jefferson City squad and suffered their first loss 48-21. Jefferson City's 48 points were more than the Indians had allowed through the first four games combined.

Jackson got down big in its meeting with the Jays, and thus had to put the ball in the air more than it had earlier in the season. Jackson quarterback Joey Starke attempted a season-high 25 passes in the game, completing 12.

Gross said a key for Jackson this week will be to be able to stay balanced offensively.

"We have to be able to do both. We have to be able to run the ball and throw it," he said. "We've thrown the ball pretty well all year."

The Tigers have struggled stopping the run this season, an area Jackson could try to exploit. Jackson's running game has been the key to its offense, picking up large chunks of yardage when clicking. Jason Meystedt and Austin Bock team up to run behind a much improved line.

"Their heartbeat is their kids up front," Brookins said of Jackson.

For the Tigers, a lot of onus will be put on Central's freshman signal caller. Garrett Stevens will be making his second start of the season, following a 15-of-25 performance against SLUH. Stevens threw for 159 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions against the Junior Billikens.

Brookins said he is not worried about Stevens' ability to handle the rivalry game.

"He's unique. I don't think it bothers him one bit," Brookins said.

Of course, season statistics and records typically do not mean much when the Cape Girardeau County schools go at it. Bragging rights are on the line both within the student bodies and throughout the communities.

"As far as coaches go, it's just another game. It's our next football game, so it's most important," Gross said. "Hopefully our kids are focused and we're ready to play."

Brookins takes a similar approach to Gross.

"I don't believe in hanging my hat on one win," Brookins said.

RIVALRY GLANCE

What: Central at Jackson, 7 p.m.

First meeting: 1912 (Jackson 6, Central 0)

All-time series record: Central leads 56-34

Recent trends: Jackson has won eight of the last 10 meetings. Only one time in the last 10 meetings has the margin of victory been less than 10 points.

Longest streaks: Central did not lose a game in the rivalry from 1961 to 1974. The Tigers were 14-0-1 in that span. Jackson won all six games played between the teams from 1914 to 1919.

Scoring deficiency: The first 28 meetings were all decided by shutout. There have been 53 shutouts overall in the series, but only three since 1985. The last shutout was a 33-0 Jackson win in 2001.

Tidbits:

• Jackson and Central have both made the final four the same year twice, in 1972 and 1977. Central won the annual meeting in those two years, 49-6 in 1972 and 7-6 in 1977.
• Central and Jackson each won 10 games in the series from 1980 to 1999.
• Jackson coach Carl Gross is 13-6 overall in the rivalry, with a 9-6 record as Jackson coach and a 4-0 record as a player at Central. Central coach Lawrence Brookins is 1-4 against Jackson.