Indians smash Vikings 30-0 in sectional round

CREVE COEUR —Jackson played a big game of keep away with Parkway North.

The Indians rammed the ball down the Vikings' throat, rarely letting Parkway North's offense on the field in the second half during their Class 5 sectional football game Monday.

Jackson padded its halftime lead with three fourth-quarter touchdowns to down Parkway North 30-0. The Indians advanced to Saturday's state quarterfinal, where they'll host Eureka in a rematch of a district game earlier this season.

Jackson (7-5) had the ball for 17 minutes, 59 seconds to Parkway North's 6:01 in the second half. The disparity can be attributed to Jackson's ability to run the ball.

"Our running game has been hitting it well," Jackson quarterback Marcus Harris said. "The last couple of games our passing game has been working a little bit better, too. I think they had to honor that a little more tonight. That's what we've been trying to do, make them honor both. I think you saw it pay off and we ran the ball well tonight."

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.comJackson coaches Bob Sink, left, and Nathan Norman watch the final moments of the game Monday night at Parkway North.

Jackson used time-consuming drives to milk the clock in the third and fourth quarters. Drew Bucher capped an 11-play drive with a 4-yard scoring run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. The drive covered 76 yards and took 4:59.

"The line picked it up for us," Bucher said. "I just had to run hard. We went into the locker room and said we had to pick up the intensity so we could win the game. Everyone wanted to win so we can play Saturday."

That was the shorter of Jackson's two marathon drives. The other one took 13 plays and covered 57 yards. It took 5:58, and ended with Adam Zweigart running in from 1 yard out after he converted a fourth-and-3 two plays earlier.

"We're getting better," Jackson coach Van Hitt said of his team's ability to run the ball. "We started with a whole new offensive line this year. This is our 12th ballgame. My gosh, they ought to be getting better now, just due to we've played so many games this year. We moved some people off the ball tonight."

Zweigart led the Indians' rushing attack with 142 yards on 24 carries, and that didn't include a 67-yard score that was called back on a holding play in the second quarter.

Jackson coach Van Hitt talks to his players during Monday's sectional game.

"Every time we ran, they stacked on one side," Zweigart said. "Once you get to that side, there are five guys on that side. I just cut back around the side. It was easy."

While Zweigart got the most carries, Bucher earned his fair share. He carried 14 times for 60 yards and two scores. Bucher ran the ball a combined 10 times on Jackson's two long second-half drives.

"It was just to get some fresh legs out there," Hitt said of giving Bucher the ball instead of Zweigart. "He's a little bigger, a little stronger. He'll run straight ahead. If you want to tackle him, you've got to put him on the ground."

The game didn't start well for Jackson. Parkway North cut through Jackson's defense with ease, especially quarterback Tylor Brock. He picked up 52 yards on the ground on that first drive. But it stalled at the 3-yard line. Aaron Hummert missed a 20-yard field goal wide right, and that's the last time the Vikings moved the ball with ease.

Jackson scored its first points after the defense delivered a crucial play in the second quarter. Henry Williams blocked a Parkway North punt and the Indians returned it to the Vikings' 5. Bucher punched it into the end zone three plays later for the early lead.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.comJackson quarterback Marcus Harris hands off to Tyler Seabaugh during Monday night's Class 5 sectional game at Parkway North.

The Indians added a 33-yard field goal late in the second half, entering halftime ahead 10-0. But they weren't comfortable with that lead.

"[Rockwood] Summit was up on them three touchdowns and they came back and beat Summit," Hitt said. "That's what I'm thinking. I said, 'Don't give up, don't give up.' You let up one time, give them a spark, then boom, here we go because they've got some athletes. If we get into a foot race, we're in trouble."

It turned out Hitt didn't have to worry because his defense never let Parkway North touch the ball. The Vikings only ran 13 offensive plays in the second half.

Jackson0 10020— 30

Parkway North 0 0 0 0 — 0

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.comJackson's Henry Williams jumps high to block a punt by Parkway North's Vitaliy Kulik with Jackson's Blake Peiffer in the second quarter of their Class 5 sectional game Monday night at Parkway North.

Second Quarter

J — Drew Bucher 2 run (Morgan Johnson kick), 10:10

J — Johnson 33 FG, :29

Fourth Quarter

J — Bucher 4 run (kick failed), 11:26

Jackson's Drew Bucher scores a touchdown as Parkway North's Taveon Hammond attempts a late tackle during the fourth quarter.

J — Adam Zweigart 1 run (Johnson kick), 4:19

J — Blake Peiffer 39 INT return (Johnson kick), 3:54

J PN

First downs 16 8

Rush-Yards 52-237 27-145

Comp.-Att-Yds 3-7-18 6-13-33

Penalties-Yards 5-30 4-40

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0

Individual stats

Rushing — Jackson, Adam Zweigart 24-142, Andy Winkleblack 2-31, Marcus Harris 5-(minus 12), Drew Bucher 14-60, Ryan Marble 1-9, Jerrett Schwab 2-3, Tyler Seabaugh 2-9, Team 2- (minus 5). Parkway North, Tylor Brock 11-96, Gabe Caine 12-38, Anthony Davenport 1-5, Kevin Henderson 1-4, Taveon Hammond 1-3, Team 1- (minus 1).

Passing — Jackson, Marcus Harris 3-7-18-0. Parkway North, Tylor Brock 6-9-33-0, Culver Plant 0-4-0-2.