Jackson claims 21-14 win over Jefferson City

Southeast Missourian

Jackson broke a halftime deadlock with two second-half touchdowns and went on to 21-14 road victory over Jefferson City, one of the most storied programs in Missouri high school football history.

Jackson, which suffered a 27-point home loss to the Jays last season, improved to 3-2.

Jefferson City fell to 3-2 with the loss in its homecoming game.

With the score tied 7-7, Jackson running back Joel Penrod scored on a 37-yard with 3 minutes,16 seconds remaining in the third quarter to put Jackson ahead for good. The extra-point kick failed, but Jackson led 13-7.

Two possessions later, the Indians struck again on a 30-yard bootleg run by quarterback Rex Meyr, who outraced the Jays defense down the sideline. The possession started at the Jays' 47-yard line after a poor punt on the final play of the third quarter. Jackson converted on the two-point attempt for a 21-7 lead with 9:27 remaining in the game.

Jefferson City was held scoreless in the second half until the final minute, when Joe Foster scored on a 3-yard run.

The Jays attempted an onside kick with 20 seconds remaining, but Jackson took possession when the kick went out of bounds.

Jefferson City had scored first on an 8-yard run by Cory Stuefer with 8:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Jackson, which was limited to 27 yards and one first down in the first half, evened the score at 7-7 on Penrod's 1-yard run with 11:04 to play in the second quarter. Grant Ressel converted the kick.

Penrod led the Indians offense with 133 yards on 33 carries. Jackson's offense finished with 189 total yards.