Indians explode past Jaguars

With backup quarterback Marc Lumsden throwing three touchdown passes, the Jackson Indians broke a two-game losing skid with a 32-3 homecoming victory over visiting Fort Zumwalt West.

Lumsden, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior, started in place of senior Tyler Profilet, who missed the game with the flu. Lumsden threw touchdown passes of 12, 34 and 93 yards in his first varsity start as Jackson (2-2) scored 32 unanswered points against the Jaguars (1-4).

The victory was the first for Jackson since a season-opening 12-7 victory over Sikeston. The Indians, coming off an open week, had scored just 34 points in their first three games combined.

The Indians scored 26 of their points in the third quarter, when they built on a 6-3 halftime lead.

While Jackson's offense rolled with Lumsden at the controls, the Indian defense stymied the Jaguars, forcing six turnovers.

Fort Zumwalt was unable to pick up a first down on four first-quarter possessions, but the Jaguars grabbed a 3-0 lead on their fifth possession. Fort Zumwalt opened the second quarter by picking up all four of its first-half first downs on a drive which ended with a 34-yard field goal by junior Matt Hottelman

Jackson struggled to just two first downs on its first five possessions, but the Indians struck for a touchdown on their sixth possession, which started at the Jaguar 37 with 3:53 left. After the Indians picked up two first downs, Lumsden found junior receiver Neil Grossheider on third down for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed and Jackson led 6-3 with 56 seconds left in the half.

A quick strike

The Indians gave the Jaguars a taste of things to come when sophomore Jordan Sneathen ran back the second-half kickoff 90 yards for a 12-3 lead. It was the first of four touchdowns in the period. Lumsden connected with Brad Crader on the two-point conversion pass for a 14-3 lead.

Fort Zumwalt drove inside the Jackson 10 on its next possession before fumbling, the first of three consecutive turnovers by the Jaguars.

On third-and-10 from his own 7, Lumsden connected with senior receiver Derek Miller for a 93-yard scoring pass. The PAT again failed, but Jackson led 20-3 at the 5:09 mark.

Jackson failed to move the ball after the Jaguars fumbled again on their next possession, but the Indians scored their third touchdown of the quarter after junior defensive back Nathan Leoni intercepted a Dustin Nellesen pass deep in Jaguar territory. The Indians cashed in with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Aaron Randolph for a 26-3 lead with 3:46 left in the third quarter.

Jackson recovered the ensuing kickoff, which bounced off a Jaguar player. A late hit on the play gave the Indians possession at the Jaguar 40. Lumsden then hooked up with Miller on a 34-yard scoring pass for a 32-3 lead with 2:21 remaining in the quarter.

On the game, Lumsden completed 12 of 26 passes for 203 yards passing. The Indians added 56 yards rushing for 259 yards total offense.

Jackson will visit Cape Girardeau County rival Central at 7 p.m. Thursday at Houck Stadium.