INDIANS UNABLE TO DIG OUT OF EARLY 17-0 HOLE

JACKSON -- Jackson High's football team treated its fans to some late-game excitement Friday night.

What the Indians couldn't deliver their home crowd was a season-opening victory.

Sikeston bolted to a 17-0 first-half lead and then held on for a 17-14 triumph.

"I'm very pleased to come out of here with a win, especially against a program like Jackson," said Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery. "I know they're inexperienced, but they're still a good team."

The loss was certainly an unusual occurrence for recent times of Jackson football. Over the past four years, the Indians went 42-8 and played in two state championship games.

But very few players with any kind of experience returned from last season's 11-1 squad. Jackson coach Carl Gross realizes his squad has a long way to go.

"It's disappointing to lose tonight, but we saw some good things to build on," he said. "We've just got a lot of guys who have to grow up in a hurry."

One of the Indians' few returning starters from last year did all he could do to try and avoid a season-opening defeat. Running back Todd Wessel piled up 184 yards on 24 carries and scored both Jackson touchdowns, on runs of six and eight yards.

"Todd did a good job," Gross said. "He knew he was going to have to carry a lot of the load."

Wessel did the bulk of Jackson's offensive damage. The Indians finished with 255 total yards, with just five coming through the air. Quarterback Chris Freeman completed one of seven passes.

Sikeston had 240 yards, with 186 coming on the ground. John Brown gained 76 yards on 16 carries while Chris French added 63 yards on 15 attempts.

Quarterback Doug Wiles was also impressive -- even though he really isn't a quarterback. Returning starter Mark Silverthorn won't be able to play behind center for several more weeks as he has a broken hand.

But Wiles, Sikeston's fullback last season, more than did the job Friday night. He rushed for 39 yards and added 54 yards passing. That was in addition to being a defensive terror from his linebacker position.

"He's a dandy," said Vickery, whose team also played without its top tailback, Justin Robinson, who has been suspended for the season's first two games. "When we get everybody back, I think we'll be fine. Robinson makes a huge difference."

Brown broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown run on the sixth play of the game and Silverthorn's extra point made it 7-0.

Silverthorn -- he was a major factor with his leg even though he couldn't play quarterback -- booted a 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter to put the Bulldogs on top 10-0.

A dazzling interception by Adrian Porter set Sikeston up at Jackson's 47-yard line. Eleven plays later, Wiles scored on an 11-yard run and Silverthorn converted to make it 17-0 with 5:14 left before halftime.

Jackson finally got going late in the first half, marching 72 yards in nine plays. Wessel scored from six yards out with 1:08 left and Josh Hopkins converted, making it 17-7 at the break.

The Indians drove to Sikeston's 26 on the first possession of the second half but two crucial penalties stalled the march.

Jackson made things extremely interesting late in the game. Ryan Beltz hammered Wiles on a blitz and the quarterback fumbled, with Spencer Hobeck recovering at Sikeston's 21. Wessel scored from eight yards out with 5:13 left and Hopkins' kick made it 17-14.

Sikeston was able to chew up almost four minutes, leaving Jackson only 1:37 left and 79 yards to go. The Indians could only reach their own 45.

Friday's Results

Columbia Hickman 47, Cape Central 39

Sikeston 17, Jackson 14

Scott City 39, Malden 12

Grandview 14, Chaffee 13

Perryville 21, Farmington 0

St. Vincent 28, Carlyle, Ill. 21

Kennett 28, Charleston 27

Fredericktown 31, Park Hills 6

Poplar Bluff 12, Dexter 0

East Prairie 32, Hayti 0

Gosnell 57, Portageville 21

New Madrid 53, Rosary 0

Greene Co. 20, Caruthersville 0

Herrin 18, Anna-Jonesboro 7

Cairo 20, Elverado 6