INDIANS AIM THEIR ARROWS AT VISITING CRUSADERS

When looking at Althoff's season offensive statistics, there is no one player that has put up frightening numbers.

That's what scares Jackson football coach Carl Gross.

"They're a hard team to prepare for," Gross said of the Crusaders, who visit Jackson (4-1) tonight at 7:30. "They're huge on the line of scrimmage and I know they are very well coached. They kind of spread it around and they run it with three different backs. Over the years, they've been a real physical team. We know we'll have our hands full."

Althoff, which plays a tough schedule, has had only one game where it has had a runner with more than 100 yards, and its passing game is anything but proficient.

Yet the Crusaders are 3-2.

"They line up in a pre-shift formation," Gross said. "They'll run plays out of that, then sometimes they'll shift out of it. It looks like they do a lot, but they don't. They run the usual dives and traps. But you still have to line up correctly. They're very efficient.

"Defensively, you have to be disciplined and read your keys. If you're not disciplined, they'll score in a hurry."

Althoff is led in rushing by Brante Grayson, who has 409 yards on 104 carries (3.9 average). Crusaders quarterback Pat Neville is just 17-for-43 for 252 yards. He has thrown two touchdown passes, but has been intercepted five times.

Althoff crushed Jackson 28-0 last year, but Jackson is clearly a better team this year. Jackson was 2-3 heading into this game last year.

"They won 28-0 in about as bad of a football game as Jackson has played in 20 years," Gross said of last year's performance.

Gross expects Althoff's defense to be very big and physical up front.

"The big thing is, we'll have to be able to block them," Gross said. "If we throw, we'll have to keep them out of the quarterback's face. We want to force them to put eight in the box (with the run). We're going to try to mix it up. We're sure not going to be bashful this week. We're going to have to match them blow for blow."

Last week's blowout proved to be beneficial for the Indians, as Gross was able to rest some banged up players. As a result, Jackson is back at full strength this week.

Indians backup quarterbacks John Jackson, a junior, and sophomore Bryan Austin filled in nicely last week, both throwing touchdown passes as the Indians crushed Beaumont 49-6 in a game that wasn't even as close as the score indicated.

But starting quarterback Chris Stockton will be back under center this week after recovering from a shoulder injury. Starting fullback Jason Schuller's arch is still a bit tender, but he is expected to play, Gross said.

Prep Football

Thursday's Game

Sikeston 47, Cape Central 27

Tonight's Games

(7:30 kickoffs)

Belleville Althoff at Jackson

Caruthersville at Scott City

Chaffee at East Prairie

Festus at Perryville

St. Vincent at St. Pius

Potosi at Fredericktown

Dexter at Charleston

Columbia Hickman at Poplar Bluff

New Madrid at Borgia (6 p.m.)

Kennett at Malden

Portageville at Hayti

Chester at Anna-Jonesboro

Ballard Co., Ky. at Cairo (7 p.m.)