Jackson becomes the chaser against Zumwalt

Last year Jackson had opponents chasing the top running back recruit in the state in speedy Mario Whitney.

Tonight the Indians get their turn at tracking down the top rushing recruit in Missouri when they visit Fort Zumwalt West and its star running back, Anton Campbell.

While Whitney landed at Missouri, Campbell will take his swift, powerful and balanced running style to Michigan.

"For three years people had to chase us," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "It's going to happen that you're going to have to play people that have a little more juice than you."

Campbell has averaged nearly six yards a carry against some tough competition and has 308 yards on the season. The Jaguars (2-2) have not had a game decided by more than six points. They have close wins over Jefferson City and Troy Buchanan and tight losses to Hazelwood East and Francis Howell.

Jackson (1-3) picked up its first win last week over Graves Co., Ky., after losses to Sikeston, Rockwood Summit and Pattonville.

Campbell is not the lone concern of the Indians in the Jaguars' option attack. Senior quarterback Gregg Garrison leads Zumwalt with 370 yards rushing and is deceptive in his handling of the ball.

"It's really hard to tell at midline who has the ball," Gross said. "They make a living with it and are really good at it."

Jackson will likely get welcome aid at slowing down Campbell and Garrison. A forecast for daylong rain could make the twosome more manageable.

Meanwhile, the Indians practiced their own deception last week when they unveiled a double-wing formation against Graves County. The tight formation, which the Indians used extensively in 1997, employs two tight ends, two wing backs and a fullback. It thrives on misdirection and allows running backs Stuart McIntosh and Jason Meystedt to be on the field at the same time.

"We have two of our better athletes at the same position and it seems we're always having one of them standing beside me," Gross said.

With McIntosh rushing for 162 yards on 23 carries, the Indians posted a season-high 243 yards on the ground.

The Indians likely will have a tougher time running against Zumwalt, which, like Jackson, is physical on the line. The Indians likely will miss one of their top linemen, Colby Lohman, who has a sprained ankle.

Gross is looking for the Indians to seize the momentum gained against Graves County.

"We played hard and played well," Gross said. "We felt good about it. Hopefully we can keep building on the positive things and continue to play hard."

jbreer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 124