Jackson football wins district championship

~ Indians qualifyfor Class 5 playoffs with a 14-6 victoryover Parkway West.

BALLWIN, Mo. -- Jackson defensive back Matt Lang was prepared for whichever Gabbert lined up at quarterback for Parkway West on Friday night.

Highly-touted senior Blaine Gabbert was out again with a shoulder injury but Lang knew that his brother, Tyler, was going to be a handful.

"We knew the younger brother had a great arm," Lang said. "We practiced all week on making good reads and going for the ball."

Lang read and attacked all night and intercepted four of Gabbert's passes, including three in the final 15 minutes as the Indians defeated Parkway West 14-6 to clinch their first district title since 2001.

Jackson's Adam Zweigart broke away from Parkway West's Brian Gerike (51) and Torrence Watkins (22) on his way to a first-quarter touchdown Friday night. (Paul Kopsky ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"Matt Lang is a great defensive back and a great teammate," Jackson junior linebacker Blake Peiffer said. "We knew that everybody was going to have to play their 'A' game tonight. We needed to play Jackson Indian defense, which is hard-nosed and hitting somebody on every play."

It took a minute for the Indians defense to wake up as Gabbert connected with Chris Willis on a 70-yard touchdown pass on the second play from scrimmage.

But Jackson, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 5, shut out the explosive Longhorns offense for the final 47 minutes to improve to 9-0 and seal the District 1 title with help from Eureka's win against Seckman on Thursday.

"They had the one play early and that was it," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "We did not have our 'A' game overall tonight but the defense was tremendous. And what can you say about Matt Lang? He was terrific."

Parkway West actually had a good drive on its second possession of the game but missed a field goal.

Jackson's Adam Zweigart (41) evaded Parkway West defenders Nick Urban (5), Colton Long (52) and Torrence Watkins during Friday's game in Ballwin, Mo. (Paul Kopsky ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

Lang intercepted the first of his four passes on the Longhorns 15-yard line late in the first quarter, and it took the Indians offense just one play to score with Adam Zweigart taking it in.

The other Jackson drive was just 30 yards, as the Indians had great field position after a poor Parkway West punt. The Indians appeared to be stopped on a fourth-down play, but Parkway West was flagged for an illegal block that gave Jackson a first down. The Indians took advantage, scoring on a 7-yard pass from Marcus Harris to Cody Randen on third down with less than a minute to play in the half.

The second half belonged to both defenses, and especially to Lang with his three late interceptions.

The Jackson offense had its best drive of the game late in the third quarter and into the fourth. It was time consuming but did not result in points as it was held a foot short of a first down on fourth down at the Longhorn 6.

Lang then intercepted Gabbert at the Parkway West 15, but the Indians offense did not move the ball and Lang missed on a 30-yard field goal attempt.

Jackson's Adam Zweigart broke away from Parkway West's Brian Gerike (51) and Torrence Watkins (22) on a first-quarter touchdown run Friday night in Ballwin, Mo.

It was only appropriate Lang sealed the win with his fourth interception of the game and 11th of the season with 1:24 to play.

One week earlier, he had helped the Indians knock off state-ranked Eureka 21-20 by blocking an extra point, making a 78-yard reception, kicking the winning point and coming up with an interception to end Eureka's last offensive series.

"This is huge for us," Gross said of the district title. "These kids earned it and deserved it."

Jackson will try to keep its unbeaten record alive Friday night in its season finale at home against Seckman. The Indians will also host a first-round playoff game.

Parkway West fell to 5-4.

"They played great defense and did not turn the ball over," Parkway West coach Mike Roth said. "We played great defense but did turn it over and you can't do that against a good team like Jackson."

Jackson 14, Parkway West 6

Jackson 7 7 0 0 -- 14

Parkway West 6 0 0 0 -- 6

First quarter

PW -- Chris Willis 70-yard pass from Tyler Gabbert (kick failed), 11:01.

J -- Adam Zweigart 15-yard run (Matt Lang kick), 1:11.

Second quarter

J -- Cody Randen 7-yard pass from Marcus Harris (Lang kick), 0:59.