INDIANS WADE PAST 'DOGS IN SEASON OPENER 30-3

JACKSON, Mo. -- While the Sikeston Bulldogs were geared up to stop Mario Whitney, it was Mark Wade who provided the knockout punches Friday night.

Wade blocked three punts and Jackson played on a short field all night as the Indians crushed Sikeston 30-3 at Jackson Stadium.

All three blocks one in the first quarter and two in the third set up easy scores.

"The way we got it set up, we put a lot of guys up front and we cause confusion," said Wade. "The guys in front give me an alley up the middle."

Though Sikeston's offense managed next to nothing on Jackson's defense, the game was more competitive than the score would indicate.

Take away the three blocked punts and a fumble deep in its own territory and Sikeston would have been much closer.

The game couldn't have gotten off to a better start for Jackson.

On Sikeston's first offensive play from scrimmage, quarterback Heath Self lost a fumble on a quarterback sneak.

Jackson took over from Sikeston's 31-yard line and four plays later Whitney scored untouched from 8 yards out. Whitney ended up with 125 yards on 21 carries. He had a long punt return and a 39-yard carry called back on penalties.

Wade's first blocked punt came on Sikeston's next possession and Jackson took over on Sikeston's 8-yard line. After a penalty, Whitney ran it in from 4 yards out.

Without watching film, Jackson coach Carl Gross didn't know for sure why Wade had such success against the punt Friday night, but "you block three punts and you must be doing something right. He's got great instincts to get in there."

Jackson took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.

Sikeston took advantage of a Whitney fumble and managed a 17-yard field goal with 11:49 left in the first half to cut the lead to 14-3.

The Bulldogs' punt team helped out Jackson again with 6:58 to go in the first half when a snap sailed over the punter's head and out of the end zone.

The score remained 16-3 at halftime.

Wade's third block set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Whitney with 6:33 to go in the third to make it 23-3.

And Jackson capped off its scoring when quarterback Bryan Austin hit Ray Goodson across the middle from 4 yards out to seal the game.

The Indians' defense was smothering all night.

Jackson held the Bulldogs to 114 yards rushing on 46 carries for an average of 2.47 yards per carry. The Indians sacked the Bulldogs' quarterbacks four times and intercepted a pass.

Before Jackson's starters were lifted, Sikeston managed just six first downs in three-and-a-half quarters. The Bulldogs' longest play off Jackson's starting defense was 12 yards and they had just three plays of more than 6 yards against the Indians' starting 11.