JACKSON FLASHES TOP 10 FORM; INDIANS ROUTE SIKESTON 34-0

SIKESTON -- Jackson High's first-ever ranking in the Class 5A state football poll evidently didn't go to the Indians' heads.

Playing their first game since moving into this week's 5A poll at No. 10, the undefeated Indians celebrated their state-wide recognition with another lopsided victory, rolling past host Sikeston 34-0 Friday night.

The Indians improved to 9-0 overall and 2-0 in both Class 5A, District 1 and SEMO North Conference play. They'll host Poplar Bluff next Friday night in the final regular-season game that will decide both the district and conference championships.

Sikeston, which had its homecoming spoiled, fell to 3-5 overall and 0-2 in both district and conference play. The Bulldogs are assured of only their second losing season in the 1990s.

"To win 34-0, that usually doesn't happen here," said an obviously satisfied Jackson coach Carl Gross. "Sikeston has some good players. I thought our guys really did a good job."

The 34-point margin of victory pretty well sums up just how dominant the Indians -- who have outscored their opponents 306-67 so far this season -- were.

Jackson piled up 426 yards of offense, including 330 on the ground as the Indians' line of J.P. Hall, Kent Langston, Kyle Thompson, Justin Petzoldt and Nick Lohman, along with tight ends Travis Wilson and Nathan McWilliams, simply dominated up front.

"I thought the difference was we were just able to beat them down with our offensive line," said Gross. "The line did a super job."

Jackson's stable of running backs found plenty of room moving behind that line. Devree Flint continued his sensational season by rushing for 196 yards on 27 carries and scoring four touchdowns, on runs of 3, 1, 18 and 22 yards.

Flint has an area-best 24 touchdowns and he's closing in on the 1,500-yard rushing mark.

Justin Gladish added 57 yards on nine attempts. And quarterback Justin Keen had an extremely efficient game, completing six of 11 passes for 96 yards and adding 25 yards rushing on only three attempts. Keen also booted four extra points.

"Justin Keen had a super game. Justin Gladish did a heck of a job. And Devree was Devree," Gross said.

Gladish said the Indians came out determined to not only prove they deserve the state ranking but also win an important district game.

"The ranking is kind of an incentive, but we had the district on the line," he said. "Overall, we played well as a team. Our offensive line pretty much took control."

Defensively, the Indians' swarming unit limited Sikeston to only 136 yards of offense and seven first downs (Jackson had 23 first downs).

"I'm really proud of the fact we shut down their offense," said Gross. "We came down here scared to death. We were afraid it might turn into who had the ball last because Sikeston has been very explosive. But our defense was tremendous."

Jackson failed to score on the game's opening drive when an impressive march ran out of downs inside Sikeston's 10-yard line.

But the Indians were able to get touchdowns on their next five possessions, including the last two of the first half.

Flint's 3-yard run early in the second quarter capped a 91-yard drive and Flint's 1-yard plunge with just 47 seconds left before halftime ended a 51-yard march. Jackson led 14-0 at the break.

The second half featured more Jackson domination. Flint scored from 18 yards out in the third quarter to cap a 75-yard drive and make it 21-0.

Flint finished his big night with a 22-yard TD early in the final period, finishing a 68-yard drive for a 28-0 bulge.

Jackson added one more touchdown in the final minutes when reserve Ryan Propst scored from a yard out.

"We couldn't handle them up front. They controlled both sides of the ball," said Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery.