JACKSON KEEPS SPEEDY VASHON IN PARK 37-0

JACKSON -- Last year, mercuric Vashon ignited quickly -- it returned the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown -- before succumbing to Jackson.

In this season's meeting, Vashon didn't enjoy a similar quick start -- in fact, the Wolverines never got anything going.

Behind two touchdowns runs by bruising back Devree Flint, including a sensational 35-yard rumble that Jackson coach Carl Gross called "probably one of the best high school runs" he had ever seen, Jackson spoiled Vashon's season opener 37-0.

While in last year's game Jackson trailed late in the third quarter, Friday night the Indians led 28-0 by halftime.

Jackson (2-0) outgained the Wolverines 259 to 78 in the first half.

"We were really glad to get the goose egg," said senior lineman Kent Langston, who spurred the Indians' defense with a safety and a sack despite stomach pains that prevented him from playing on offense. "We did a good job putting pressure on the quarterback. I had no idea we'd shut them out. We figured that with all their speed, we hoped to just try to score more points than them."

Gross removed his offensive starters with 6 minutes left in the second quarter. Every player saw action and Gross used four quarterbacks.

"To be real honest . . . I was a little surprised (with how we dominated the game)," said Gross. "We did a good job on special teams tonight not letting them have a big play, and I thought we played real well defensively."

Jackson punted on its first possession, but Vashon mishandled the ball and Justin Petzoldt snatched it up and ran to Vashon's 20. At the 6:40 mark, a one-yard run by Flint, who led the Indians with 86 yards on 10 carries, made it 7-0.

On its next possession, Jackson capped a 74-yard drive with a 42-yard touchdown on a short pass from Justin Keen to Justin Gladish. Keen completed four of seven passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

"Our guys made some mistakes early on in the game. Against a team like Jackson you just cannot make mistakes," said Vashon coach Rodney Parker. "We never really got started."

Jackson made it three straight possessions with a score on Flint's terrific run. Flint got outside and seemingly ran over all 11 Wolverines, including a couple he appeared to punch away with a stiff arm, along the sideline. Jackson led 21-0 with 11:47 left in the second quarter.

The Indians' final score of the half came with 5:57 remaining. Keen launched a 38-yard strike to Travis Wilson along the sideline.

In the second half, Langston had the safety early on and Jason Schuller, a sophomore, had a six-yard touchdown run with 9:33 remaining in the game.