Indians commit six turnovers in 17-14 loss to Mississippi team

The bulk of Jackson's experience returned on the defensive side of the ball, with just one returning starter on offense.

The inexperience of the Indians' offense was evident Saturday, as the Indians committed six turnovers and dropped their football season opener at home 17-14 to Jackson (Miss.) Hillcrest Christian Academy.

Hillcrest improved to 2-1, as Jackson fell to 0-1.

Two of those turnovers came in the final quarter with Jackson on the move deep in Hillcrest territory.

"The biggest difference was the six turnovers," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "I can't remember the last time a Jackson football team had six turnovers, but we'll get that cleaned up."

One turnover in particular killed the Indians -- a fumble from Joel Penrod inside the Hillcrest 10-yard line that sealed the win for the Cougars. Down 17-14, Penrod took the carry on a third-and-8 and lost the ball around the 5 as he tried to make a second effort toward the endzone.

Hillcrest was able to run the clock out after returning the ball near midfield.

Gross said with experience Penrod will know just to secure the ball and let the kicker put the game into overtime.

"All he was trying to do was get the first down and get in the end zone, but the ball just came out," Gross said.

Jackson's defense held up against a pass-happy Hillcrest squad. Hillcrest threw a school-record 40 times. Loviett Dixon, the Cougars' quarterback, showed a strong arm as Hillcrest continually tried to go downfield on the Indians.

"I think our secondary responded really well, and I thought we were relentless on our pass rush," Gross said.

Hillcrest ran just 13 times in the game, with most of those coming late in the game. Justin Reed led the Cougars with 13 yards on five carries.

"We threw more passes than we've ever thrown tonight," Hillcrest coach Doug Hoehn said. "We couldn't run against them."

The fifth turnover of the night for Jackson -- an interception against Rex Meyr that was returned to the Jackson 12 by Hillcrest's Matthew Outerbridge -- that set up the winning score. Jackson held Hillcrest to five yards on three plays, but the Cougars converted a 20-yard field by Brandon Alford for the game-winning score with 6:27 remaining.

Gross said he was proud of the effort his defense showed on that stand.

"We held them to a field goal and gave ourselves a chance to win," he said.

Jackson started fast, scoring on a 1-yard run by Penrod less than two minutes into the game. John Gray set up the score with an interception.

Hillcrest scored on a pair of touchdown passes from Dixon in the second quarter. Alford's 16-yard TD reception tied the score, and Reed gave the Cougars a 14-7 lead with a 13-yard catch with 15 seconds left in the half.

Penrod, who led Jackson with 81 yards rushing, scored Jackson's second touchdown with a 50-yard run less than a minute into the second half.

Hoehn, in his fourth year as Hillcrest coach, said this was the biggest win for his program.

"This is my biggest win by far," Hoehn said. "This is the best we've played."

Jackson will be back in action at home Friday against Roosevelt.

"This was their third game and this was our first," Gross said. "We'll get a lot better, because the kids want to get better."