Jackson football team gets revenge vs. Farmington, moves to 3-0

The Jackson Indians continued their winning ways in front of a home crowd for the first time this season.

Jackson (3-0) rolled over SEMO Conference foe Farmington 34-15 score on Saturday.

The Indians gained a measure of revenge against a Farmington (1-2) squad that had beaten them the past four years, including an 111-33 point margin of victory in the last two meetings.

"The kids have bought in and worked hard," first-year Jackson coach Brent Eckley said. "They just keep getting better and doing what we ask them to do. That's the difference.

"In addition to that, the coaches have been great. It's a great staff and they work hard to put our kids in the right position to win. They do a great job of game planning. I'm just really happy to have those guys on board."

Jackson’s Brannon Wright runs away from Farmington’s Anthony Greco to score a touchdown during the second quarter Saturday at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

Jackson wasted no time getting on the board with a short-field drive of 27 yards with 2 minutes, 29 seconds gone in the opening quarter.

Senior slot back Brannon Wright went over right guard from the 1-yard line for the score. Adam Brown's extra-point kick put the Indians up 7-0.

On Jackson's first possession of the second quarter, speedster Wright electrified the home fans as he grabbed a short pass over the middle from quarterback Ty Selsor and outraced the Knight defenders down the right sideline. The 71-yard touchdown reception built a 13-0 lead with 8:30 left in the second quarter.

An ensuing squib kick fielded gave Farmington possession on its own 38 -- its best starting field position in the first half -- but the Knights were stymied once again by a stiff Jackson defense. A key play was a third-down pass deflection by Jackson linebacker Trea Forbs, forcing the sixth of seven consecutive Farmington punts in the first half.

The Indians regained possession on their own 20 and capitalized with a sustained drive, including four consecutive first-down runs.

The Jackson football team takes the field for the game with Farmington Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

Junior tailback Colten Proffer capped the 80-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge. Proffer also ran in the two-point conversion for a 21-0 Jackson lead with 3:45 left in the half.

While the Jackson offense was putting points on the board, it was a sturdy Indian defense that shined.

The defensive front, led by Forbs, defensive linemen Preston Hobeck and Garrett Koch, continued to apply pressure that hurried Farmington quarterback Justin Boehm and shut down running lanes.

The defense accounted for four quarterback sacks and only allowed the Knights past midfield once on eight possessions. Jackson outgained Farmington 278-93 in the first half.

"I was fairly pleased with the defense," said Eckley, who gave the defense a grade of 'B'. "I was frustrated with the offense. It was about a 'C' at best. Too many turnovers and stupid penalties. But overall, I was pleased with the way the team played."

Jackson defenders Garrett Miller, left, and Garrett Koch prepare to tackle Farmington quarterback Justin Boehm during the third quarter Saturday at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

Eckley saved his highest grade 'A minus' for the special teams, led by two lengthy kickoff returns by senior Damien Cook in the second half. He opened the second half with a 45-yard return and later had a 59-yard jaunt.

"I'm really proud of him because he's a kid that has worked his tail off since the spring," Eckley said. "He's worked and worked and worked. He's not a kid that has a starring role, but he's so unselfish. He keeps working and contributing for us, and that's what it takes for good special teams, It's kids that will figure out a way to help us win."

Jackson added another score when sophomore quarterback Dante Vandeven finished off an 8-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown run on the Indians' opening possession of the second half. Adam Brown's kick at the 9:18 mark increased the lead to 28-0.

Farmington finally tallied with 6:52 left in the third quarter on a 37-yard pass play from Boehm to wideout Evan Dunigan. A blown coverage, Jackson's most glaring defensive mistake of the day, left the receiver wide open as the gap closed to 28-7.

Jackson tacked on its final score when Proffer broke a tackle and tightroped the left sideline for a 6-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 34-7 with 8:21 left in the game. Proffer finished the game with 99 yards rushing on 14 carries.

Jackson students get ready for the second half of the game with Farmington Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

Farmington added a score with 4:37 left for the game's final points.

The Indians are off to their first 3-0 start since the 2007 season. The three wins are the most for Jackson since the 2008 season.

"This feels a lot better," said Koch about how this season compares to his two previous varsity campaigns. "When I was growing up, all the teams won. Then I get up here and we weren't doing too good. This sure turns it around."

Jackson 34, Farmington 15

Farmington 0 0 7 8 -- 15

Farmington quarterback Justin Boehm tries to escape a tackle by Jackson’s Ken Maudie during the second quarter Saturday at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

Jackson 7 14 7 6 -- 34

First Quarter

J -- Brannon Wright 1run (Adam Brown kick), 9:31

Second Quarter

J -- Wright 71 pass from Ty Selsor (kick failed), 8:30

Jackson quarterback Ty Selsor is brought down by Farmington's Austin Herbst during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

J -- Colten Proffer 1 run (Proffer run), 3:45

Third Quarter

J -- Dante Vandeven 4 run (Brown kick), 9:18

F -- Evan Dunivan 37 pass from Justin Boehm (Austin Dussold kick), 6:52

Fourth Quarter

Jackson's Colten Proffer rushes against Farmington's Grant Hopkins during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Jackson High School. (Fred Lynch)

J -- Proffer 6 run (kick failed), 8:21

F -- Dunivan 4 pass from Boehm (pass to Jared Dunlap), 4:37

F J

First downs 14 20

Rushes-yards 42-117 42-222

Passing yards 116 157

Passes 20-34-0 11-18-1

Punts 8-34.4 2-33.5

Fumbles-Lost 2-2 2-1

Penalties-Yards 6-57 4-43

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Farmington, Boehm 22-27, Colten Coulter 19-95, Dunivan 1-(-5); Jackson, Selsor 21-86, Proffer 14-99, Wright 5-22, Jamont Stuckey 1-13, Vandeven 1-4

PASSING -- Farmington, Boehm 19-34-0-116; Jackson, Selsor 11-18-1-157

RECEIVING -- Farmington, Dunivan 10-94, Conner Forsythe 1-1, Dunlap 2-24, Devin Nagel 2-27, Cameron Corter 2-9, Coulter 2-13, Grant Hopkins 1-8. Jackson, Taylor Henson 6-56, Proffer 2-20, Wright 3-81.