Jackson, Battle set to open football season at Mizzou

When the Jackson football team kicks off its season against defending Class 5 champion Battle on Aug. 22, the game will be played at Faurot Field on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

The Indians and Spartans will take part in the first game of the tripleheader at 11 a.m. The event, known as "Mayhem at the Zou," also features Hickman and Class 6 champion Christian Brothers College at 3 p.m., followed by a game between Rock Bridge and Class 6 runner-up Rockhurst at 7 p.m.

"I think it'll be a special opportunity for our program, for our coaches, players and our community. It'll be special," Jackson coach Brent Eckley said. "I don't believe any of our kids have played there. Only a couple have probably went to games there, and I don't know if any of our coaches have played there. So it'll be a neat experience.

"We're hoping we don't get lost in that and that we still understand that it's still Game 1, and we want to prepare for that just like we would any other game. But Game 1 is usually pretty important to get us started on the right foot."

Bruce Whitesides, the director of athletics for Columbia Public Schools, told the Colmbia Daily Tribune that the opportunity for all three Columbia-based schools to play on Faurot Field was the result of fortunate scheduling.

The event takes place two weeks before Missouri begins its regular season against visiting Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 5.

"We picked the best week we could try to get the best marquee games for everybody," Whitesides told the Daily Tribune. "It happens to be Week 1 of this year."

Jackson defeated Battle 62-34 in last year's season opener, a game in which Ben Maudie scored four touchdowns and amassed 130 yards from scrimmage on eight touches.

"We've talked all offseason about how we need to perform better against the teams that beat us last year," Battle coach Justin Conyers told the Daily Tribune. "We can't let Faurot be a distraction. It's just another business trip."