Indians look for solution in the air

Big school, small players. It's not a good combination.

But that's the challenge before the Jackson Indians as they attempt to rebound from a 2-8 season, one of the worst in school history.

Still facing almost the same schedule as last year, which was beefed up considerably with Class 5 and Class 6 schools from the St. Louis area, the Indians will attempt to tackle the task with undersized lines.

Known for a physical brand of football with some of the biggest lines in Southeast Missouri, Jackson will lose the battle of the scale with opponents this year.

The Indians may find themselves averaging under 200 pounds on the line, relatively small for any class -- let alone Class 5.

"Last year we had to average 250 and year before that maybe 260," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "But we're just going to be little bitty, and there's nothing we can do about it. They're good kids, and they work hard, but sometimes you've just got to have some lead in your saddlebags, and right now we just don't have it."

While there are some heavier players on the team, Gross said they lack experience and aren't game-ready. The sophomore class accounts for 37 of the 80 players on the squad.

Graduation claimed the entire offensive line from last year. Gone is 6-foot-5, 240-pound Matt McComas, 6-foot-3 260-pounder Justin Rollet and 240-pounder Colby Lohman.

But as senior returning quarterback Tyler Profilet (6-0, 175) points out, "Last year we were big, and we still went 2-8, so you can't look at just size."

The 2-8 season came on the heels of one of the best years in school history -- a 12-1 campaign that led to the Class 5 semifinals.

A 21-14 loss to Sikeston in the opener commenced an 0-3 start. Wins over Graves County, Ky., and Poplar Bluff were the only highlights.

"Last year I learned if you lose one game you can't get down," said senior tight end/defensive end Tyler McNeely. "Last year after we lost that first one down at Sikeston -- one we expected to win -- from then on we went downhill."

The Indians also lost star running back Stuart McIntosh to a shoulder injury in the game, and he didn't return to form until the second half of the season.

"That's kind of bad that your turning point is in week one," Profilet said. "A lot of guys coming off that 12-1 season and then losing that first game, it was kind of hard for them. The locker room was never quite the same."

The Indians will hope to compensate with quickness, smarts and deception to keep opponents off-balance.

Jackson will have two of its bigger bodies and experience on the end of the lines in McNeely and junior Brad Crader. McNeely, also a basketball standout at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, should be among the premier players in the area on both offense and defense. Crader (6-2, 230) demonstrated good hands as a sophomore and will add defensive end duties this year.

"We're going to have to throw the football some," Gross said. "The way we're probably going to have to throw it is play pass. I don't know offensive linewise in a regular show pass offense if we would hold up, just because of our size."

Profilet's numbers were not overwhelming last season, but he has looked sharp in camp and in throwing practice through the summer. He's gained more than 10 pounds from his junior year.

"He's come a long way," McNeely said. "He's the most improved player by far."

He'll also have targets in senior wide receiver Derek Miller (6-0, 170) and juniors Neal Grossheider (6-0, 165) and Isaac Venable (6-1, 165).

"Last year I was surprised we threw so much," Profilet said. "This year I don't see why that wouldn't continue and maybe increase a little bit, because our receivers are so good and have a lot of experience."

The running game will be led by senior fullback Aaron Randolph (5-10, 200) and junior tailback Jason Meystedt (6-0, 180), who both saw starting time last season.

Gross called Randolph "a pleasant surprise" at summer camp with increased size and strength.

"I think Aaron is going to have a great year," Profilet said. "I think people will be really surprised at how good he's gotten."

Meystedt was a surprise as a sophomore and sparkled at times during McIntosh's injury. Meystedt had two 100-yard games and finished with around 500 yards on the season.

But the success of the offense ultimately will lie in the line. Tackle candidates are juniors Andy Glass (6-4, 200), Matt James (6-4, 250) and Brad Clark (6-2, 215), while juniors Aaron Green (5-10, 212) and Zach Brazer (6-0, 180) and senior Cameron Lacy (6-0, 195) are vying for spots at guard. Junior Blake Ulrich (5-8, 185) and senior Mike Hitt (5-8, 200) will compete for the job at center.

"As long as you know your assignment, the size and strength thing, you can make up for that by using your brain -- being in the right place at the right time," Profilet said. "If you don't make mental mistakes, you can beat a lot of teams that might have more ability than you."

The group also will be plugging holes on the defensive line, along with junior defensive tackle Dustin Fluegge (5-11, 215).

Ulrich, who had a strong sophomore season, and junior Eric Poythress (6-2, 210) return at linebacker and will be joined by Randolph and Lacy.

Venable and senior Chase Walker (5-11, 185) both return in the secondary and will be joined by senior Curtis Felker (5-11, 165) and junior Nathan Leoni (5-10, 155).

"On offense and defense we're just going to keep trying to run fresh bodies in and keep quickness," Gross said. "This bunch is going to have to be very, very unselfish to win football games. If we start worrying about numbers and how much we get to play, then it could be a long year. We're going to have to be totally team-oriented, because we don't have anybody to hang our hat on."

jbreer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 124