INDIAN ARROWS FIND TIGERS; JACKSON WINS 4TH STRAIGHT OVER CENTRAL

Cape Central quarterback Frank McGinty threw while under pressure from Jackson's Travis Wilson during the first half of Friday's game.

Just when Jackson halfback Todd Wessel looked like he was going to become more than just "the other back" in the Indians backfield, teammate Devree Flint did it again.

Flint burst through the Cape Central defense for an 84-yard run midway through the fourth quarter Friday night at Houck Field to put the exclamation point on a 33-13 district and conference win over the Tigers.

The win was Jackson's fourth in a row over Central and improved the undefeated Indians to 8-0 on the year. The Tigers fell for only the second time this season, dropping their record to 5-2 overall and 0-1 the SEMO North Conference and Class 5A, District 1.

Wessel, who led the Indians in rushing until Flint's final run, ended with 136 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Flint, the leading scorer in southeast Missouri, also scored twice and finished with 208 yards on 15 attempts.

On a muddy field, Jackson coach Carl Gross was looking for a big performance from his offensive line. According to Wessel, he got it.

"I have to compliment our linemen, they did an excellent job," said Wessel, unable to select any one of his teammates in particular. "All seven of them -- including the tight ends -- did a great job."

Wessel, who entered the game with 321 yards rushing compared to Flint's 1,070, enjoyed his time in the limelight while it lasted.

"It's fun scoring touchdowns, especially in a big game like this," said Wessel. "It's indescribable ... to do so well in front of all these fans."

Jackson's offense rolled up 403 total yards with only 27 coming through the air.

"We don't always do everything for (the backs), but we do enough to get them started," said Jackson offensive lineman Kent Langston, speaking for the Jackson linemen.

Central, unable to get its running game going, had success passing the ball, but was unable to keep pace with the Indians' offense. Tiger quarterback Frank McGinty completed 12-of-25 passes for 182 yards, but also threw two interceptions. Ross Bennett caught seven passes for 122 yards.

"We didn't stop (Jackson's) run and we didn't run enough," said Central coach Jerry Dement. "We threw the ball and had some success, but we had to play a total game to beat a team like Jackson."

Jackson appeared ready to blow the Tigers away early with two quick scores in the first quarter on the Indians' initial two drives. Flint scored on a 40-yard run on the second play of the game to put Jackson ahead 7-0 after Justin Keen's kick.

On the Indians' next drive, it took just two plays again before Wessel ran in from 48 yards out. The kick was partially blocked making the score 13-0.

Central bounced back less than three minutes later with a 2-yard scoring run by Tatum Kitchen. The touchdown was set up by a 48-yard completion from McGinty to Bennett. Jeff Michel's kick made it 13-7, and after a scoreless second quarter, the outcome was still in doubt.

But Jackson scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to seal the victory. Wessel scored on a 16-yard option run to make the score 19-7 with 5:43 left in the third quarter.

Keen found a wide open Nathan McWilliams for a 19-yard scoring pass with 10:11 left in the game to put Jackson in control. Keen attempted only five passes in the game, completing two for 27 yards. Flint's two-point conversion made the score 27-7.

Central drove deep into Jackson territory, but an errant option pitch gave the ball back to the Indians at the 16-yard-line. Flint iced the game on the next play with his 84-yard score through a huge hole in the middle of the line.

Central scored in the final seconds of the game when Justin Blackmon scored on a two-yard plunge. Blackmon, who totaled 81 yards on 22 carries, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight year.