ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- It was quite the turnaround for the Jackson football team that lost by 25 points to Vianney in the second week of the season.
The Indians shutout the Griffins' offense -- and Iowa commit Markel Smith -- to claim their first district title since 2007.
Second-seeded Jackson earned a Class 5 quarterfinal spot with a 14-0 win over top-seeded Vianney (7-4) Monday at Don Heeb Stadium in St. Louis.
"It's a really big win I think for our program," Jackson coach Brent Eckley said. "I'm extremely proud of our kids, especially with how we got pounded in the first game. It wasn't a very close game, and they really outplayed us and this was really nice to come back and get the win."
The Griffins' defeated Jackson 52-27 on its home field on Sept. 6.
After a scoreless first half the Indians got on the board with 7 minutes, 30 seconds left in the third quarter.
"I was wondering if it'd come down to overtime, and if it did we were pretty nervous because the last game against Hickman we lost in overtime and we were not in good shape," Eckley said. "Our offense is not designed as a red zone-type offense, and so I was a little bit nervous there. But we were able to find a couple things in the second half, and we made hay when we could on them. They were just a little wrinkle that we were able to get and the kids executed."
A Vianney punt was downed at the Vianney 47 in the third quarter. Senior running back Colten Proffer gained one yard on the first play of the drive before breaking through the defense and taking the ball down the left sideline for a 46-yard touchdown.
Proffer finished with 12 carries for 107 yards.
Just when almost everyone thought that the game was over Jackson extended its lead.
Vianney's punt rolled out of bounds at the Jackson 47 with about five minutes remaining in the game. Jackson was called for an illegal substitution, making it first-and-15.
Garrett Miller gained a couple of yards before breaking free for a 41-yard run. He scored two plays later after on a 4-yard run to make it 14-0 with 2:11 left in the game.
"Well, we got down to the end and we were trying to find some way that we could milk the clock -- four-minute offense, we just wanted to get a first down and get out," Eckley said. "Once he started popping a couple of them, they weren't able to cover us up, and so we just kept pushing on it. We ran the same play I think the last seven or eight snaps."
Miller had four carries for 48 yards.
Neither Miller or Proffer played much during the first meeting with Vianney. Miller left the game with an injury and Proffer was sidelined with an ankle injury.
"Colten's one of the best backs that I've had, and Garrett has not been able to do very much offensively either. He's a great back in his own right, so it's really good to be able to have both of them in there and they're both tough, competitive kids, so they're leaders for our team," Eckley said.
Both teams struggled in the first half. Jackson had six fumbles, three recovered by the Griffins, including a couple of snaps that were fumbled.
Eckley noted that quarterback Dante Vandeven struggled to hold onto the ball because he could not keep his hands warm and that Jackson's starting center was out with a concussion, so the snaps from center were a little bit faster than Vandeven was used to.
"I stayed faithful," Vandeven said. "The ball was wet, I fumbled, and I know I made mistakes and that happens. I've just got to come back from them and we did."
Vandeven completed 8-of-15 passes for 129 yards.
"Staying on the ground it really did," Vandeven said about what helped in the second half. "Going through the air a couple times but not too deep. Our [offenisive] line blocked great in the second half. They made huge holes for us and that really helped us get the 'W.'"
The Indians' defense was even more impressive as it held Smith, who entered the game with 2,312 yards on the season, to 97 yards on 29 carries -- and did so without starting defensive lineman Chris Collier, who was out with a leg injury.
Eckley attributed some of Smith's struggles on the rainy weather and muddy field.
"He's so powerful it's difficult for him to start and stop because he has so much power," Eckley said. "It slows him down a little bit more to our level when he has to make some cuts. Plus, in a wet field like this the advantage goes to the defense and the defensive line. Their defensive line did a great job, and I thought our defensive line did a great job."
Jackson improved to 8-3 on the season and will host Webster Groves in a Class 5 quarterfinal at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at The Pit.
"I would anticipate, based on the people that drove two hours up here for this game, I would expect that we would have a huge crowd again at our game," Eckley said, "And that's a home field advantage for us and it always has been. Down there it's been a tough place for people to come in and play, so we're excited about being able to host it.
Webster Groves defeated Kirkwood 21-19 in the Class 5 District 2 championship Monday.
"Playing at The Pit, at home, is one of the best things ever," Vandeven said. "It's fun, it's energetic and hopefully we can get another win and keep going. Hopefully."
Jackson 0 0 7 7 – 14
Vianney 0 0 0 0 – 0
Third Quarter
J--Colten Proffer 46 run (Ty Crowden kicks), 7:30
Fourth Quarter
J--Garrett Miller 4 run (Crowden kicks), 2:11
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.