INDIANS TOP VIANNEY IN 5A DISTRICT OPENER 35-14

ST. LOUIS -- The Jackson Indians displayed big-play ability Friday night as they opened Class 5A, District 1 play with a 35-14 victory over Vianney.

Spotting Vianney (2-6) a touchdown on the game's first possession, Jackson overpowered the Golden Griffins with five touchdowns in excess of 23 yards.

Sophomore running back Mario Whitney scored on runs of 24 and 27 yards and pulled in a 55-yard touchdown pass as Jackson improved to 7-1 on the season and 1-0 in district play.

Tory Meyr added two touchdown receptions, including a 45-yard scoring pass to put the Indians ahead for good in the second quarter.

Jackson will need its quick-strike offense next week when it faces Poplar Bluff (7-1) in what will likely be a showdown for the district title.

The Indians appeared to have their hands full as they mounted just nine yards of offense in the opening quarter and trailed the Griffins 7-0 at the start of the second period.

A defensive play turned the tide as Jackson's Matt Holloway intercepted a pass at the start of the quarter to give the Indians possession at the Vianney 44. The turnover was one of four committed by Vianney in the second quarter. The Indian offense was still sputtering when Whitney pulled in a third-down pass from quarterback Chris Stockton to give the Indians a first down at the Griffin 27. On the next play, Whitney broke loose for a 27-yard scamper, the first of three Jackson touchdowns in the period. Josh Hopkins failed on the PAT and Vianney still led 7-6 with 9:47 left in the half.

On Jackson's next possession, Stockton faked a handoff to Whitney and hit Meyr with a 45-yard scoring strike. Stockton then tossed a conversion pass to Kevin Brunke for a 14-7 lead with 5:37 left.

Vianney fumbled away its final three possessions of the half, the latter with just over a minute remaining in the period. Jackson capitalized on the final fumble as Whitney sprinted in from 24 yards out with 24 seconds left for a 21-7 halftime lead.

Meyr added a 26-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to up the lead to 28-7. After Vianney trimmed the deficit to 28-14 with 5:30 left, Whitney iced the victory with a 55-yard touchdown reception with 3:47 left.