Jackson gets past perennial roadblock

~ The Indians defeated Parkway South 3-1 for their first sectional victory in six attempts

MANCHESTER, Mo. -- The Jackson soccer team broke its huddle at the conclusion of its Class 3 sectional contest Tuesday night at Parkway South and voiced the word of the day.

"History" the Indians players yelled in unison. And indeed, it was a historic day for the Jackson boys soccer program as the Indians defeated Parkway South 3-1 for their first sectional victory in six attempts.

Jackson is scheduled to host Saint Louis University High on Saturday in its first ever state quarterfinal appearance.

"We are always considered underdogs when we are playing St. Louis teams," said Jackson coach Zack Walton, whose team lost to Vianney 8-0 in last year's sectional contest. "This is a first for the boys. I am so proud of these guys. They played with their hearts and played with both intensity and composure."

There was nothing fluky about the score. In fact, Parkway South averted a shutout with a goal with just two minutes to play.

Jackson struck for a pair of first-half goals on dead-ball chances. Senior Cody Boehme scored on a free kick less than 10 minutes into the game.

"Scoring the first goal in a game like this is huge," Walton said. "Early in the game, I wanted Cody to test the keeper and we got a good bounce and a big goal."

The Indians extended their lead with less than five minutes to play in the half on one of their signature plays as junior Law Duncan headed in a throw-in from junior Clayton Baker.

"We've been doing that all season," Duncan said. "Clayton does a great job with the throw, and sometimes I am in the right spot."

Jackson did a masterful job of protecting the lead in the second half, limiting the Suburban West Conference champions to few good scoring chances. The all-senior backfield of Jacob Scholl, Todd Heuring, Boehme and Hunter Garrison were stellar.

"Three of us [Scholl, Heuring and Garrison] have been playing together for a long time," Garrison said. "We played on the same traveling team. It is just an undescribable feeling I have right now to be able to make history for the school. It is a once in a lifetime thing. I think we made up for last year and proved that we deserve to be here."

Duncan put an exclamation point on the memorable night with a goal with 13 minutes to play. The late goal by Parkway South sophomore Nick Jones did not take any of the luster from the on-field celebration.

"A bunch of us have been playing together since we were 8 or 9 years old," Duncan said. "The energy was flowing tonight, and after the first 10 minutes or so, I really felt that it was going to be our night and we would win. We just want to keep moving on."

The challenge is huge Saturday as Jackson takes on perennial power SLUH, which is the top team in the St. Louis area. The Junior Bills defeated rival CBC 2-0 in their sectional game Tuesday.

"SLUH and CBC both have great programs, but any team can be beaten on any night," Walton said. "I'm just so excited that we have the chance to keep playing. I am proud to be called their coach."

Garrison is looking forward to facing the Junior Bills, who are 23-5.

"We can't go in thinking that we are playing the best team in Missouri," Garrison said. "Team names don't matter."

Jackson takes a 17-6 record into Saturday's game. Parkway South finished the season at 17-7-3.