High school roundup (Fri.): Jackson drops final regular season game

The Jackson football team found itself in a familiar position Friday night, and it wasn't a good one.

"I think every game this year we have opened with a deficit on the road," Jackson coach Brent Eckley said.

Class 6 Francis Howell Central took an early lead then made a late comeback by outscoring the Class 5 Indians by 15 points in the fourth quarter to secure a 38-34 victory in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The host Spartans took a 13-0 lead before Jackson got on the board with 1 minute, 17 seconds left in the first quarter with a 7-yard touchdown run from Colten Proffer. Ty Crowden kicked the PAT to make it 13-7.

Proffer scored again with 9:45 left in the first half on a 38-yard pass from quarterback Dante Vandeven. The extra point gave the Indians a one-point lead.

Less than 10 seconds later Preston Hobeck recovered a fumble and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown, putting Jackson ahead 21-13.

Francis Howell Central made a 43-yard field goal to cut the lead to 21-16 at the half. The Spartans took a 23-21 lead shortly after halftime with a 53-yard touchdown run.

The Indians scored their final two touchdowns in the third quarter and took a 34-23 advantage into the fourth.

The Spartans cut the lead to 34-30 with 10 minutes left to play, and a Jackson turnover led to a winning 69-yard touchdown run.

The Indians had a chance to score toward the end of the game with the ball inside the 20, but a holding penalty contributed to their inability to get in the end zone.

It's the second consecutive loss for the Indians, who finished the regular season with a 6-3 record.

"We've played against some Class 6 teams, which they kind of have some different guys than what we're used to seeing," Eckley said. "I thought our coaches did an outstanding job of putting our kids in the right position to win. It's heartbreaking to lose, it's frustrating to lose and it'll be a huge challenge for all of us to bounce back.

"The good thing about it is we have these opportunities to go through these two games and be tested, and if we can just keep plugging away and improve just a little bit we'll have an opportunity to win some more football games down the stretch."

Vandeven completed 10 of 25 passing for 211 yards.

Proffer had more than 300 yards of total offense. He had 22 carries for 174 yards and four catches for 133 yards.

Taylor Henson had three catches for 31 yards and Xominique Davis had two catches for 36 yards.

Jackson 7 14 13 0 -- 34

Francis Howell Central 13 3 7 15 -- 38

Jefferson 58, St. Vincent 32

The Indians fell to 5-4 with a loss at home.

Herculaneum 27, Perryville 21 (OT)

The Pirates finished up the regular season with a loss at home.

VOLLEYBALL

Woodland 25-25 Advance 12-21

Woodland picked up the home victory. Woodland's Josie Long had two kills, one ace, five blocks and 16 digs.

Rachel Poole had six kills, four aces, six assists, five blocks and four digs. Shelby Sawyer had three kills and one ace, Lexie King had five kills and one block and Vanessa Wiseman had five digs and seven assists.

Woodland improved to 22-9-1 and will face the winner between Saxony Lutheran and Scott City in the semifinals of the Class 2 District 2 tournament at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Saxony Lutheran.

JV -- Woodland won 25-22, 25-23 and finished with a record 18-11-1.

BOYS SOCCER

Eagle Ridge (14-6) advanced to the championship game of the Missouri Christian High School Athletic Association state tournament with a 2-1 win against Plaza Heights.

Michael Perez and Josh King scored for the Eagles. Gabe Henson and Jordan Cliff had assists.

Lane Henson made four saves in goal.

-- From staff reports