Jackson keeps unbeaten Colts on the ropes in loss

Four downs and nine yards were all that stood between the Jackson Indians taking the fifth-ranked team in Class 5 to overtime Friday.

But despite a pass interference penalty on fourth down to give the Indians one last chance, running back Stuart McIntosh couldn't get in from two yards out and Parkway Central held on for a 34-27 win in the first week of the Class 5, District 1 schedule.

After Parkway Central (8-0) tied the game at 27 with 2:40 left, the Indians (2-6) were set to get the ball with enough time to put together the potential game-winning scoring drive. Indians sophomore Jason Meystedt coughed up the ensuing kick-off though, and Parkway Central tailback Jermain House took it in from eight yards out to put the Colts up for good.

House, who ran for 148 yards and four touchdowns, said Friday's win was one to remember.

"That's the best game I've ever played in my life," he said.

Jackson, coming off its second win of the season, gave the Colts all they could handle and led throughout the game. The Indians were able to push the Colts around up front as McIntosh lit up the Colts defense for 358 yards on 36 carries.

"To play a good team like Parkway Central and play them so good shows the character of our team," McIntosh said.

With a 72-yard touchdown run from House on the first play of the game, Jackson looked like it was in for a long night. The Indians kept their composure and ended the first quarter trailing only 7-0.

McIntosh started the second quarter with a 33-yard touchdown run to tie the game, and put in another run from six yards out to give the Indians their first lead.

"I thought my coaches did a great job getting our kids ready," Jackson coach Carl Gross said.

Things started out well for Jackson in the second half when McIntosh took the first play from scrimmage for 76 yards and a touchdown. McIntosh pushed Jackson's lead to 27-19 with a 98-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

Colts receiver Joe Carmichael proved to be too much for the Jackson secondary late in the game, and made several big receptions on the game-tying drive, including a key 30-yard first down reception on fourth down, a nine-yard touchdown reception and the game tying two-point conversion.

Carmichael finished with five receptions for 114 yards. Colts quarterback Tommy Bawden was 8-of-13 for 123 yards.

Jackson quarterback Tyler Profilet finished 7-of-14 with 103 yards.

"We've gotten better here later in the year," Gross said. "We just couldn't handle their speed."

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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