JACKSON NIPS MULES IN OVERTIME 20-19

POPLAR BLUFF -- In a game that Jackson appeared on the ropes on several occasions, the Indians upended Poplar Bluff with a 20-19 overtime victory Friday night.

Jackson's Josh Hopkins ultimately banged an extra point attempt through the uprights after a Todd Wessel touchdown run to provide the slim margin of victory.

Poplar Bluff had put the Indians in vulnerable position by scoring on its first possession of overtime on a Stan Revelle pass. The Mules left the door open when Andrew Barker missed his second extra-point attempt of the game. He also missed a 20-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

But starting at the 25, Jackson turned exclusively to Wessel and the senior was up to the task. Wessel carried six times and scored on a 2-yard run. Hopkins followed with the game-winner.

Poplar Bluff forced the overtime after squandering several scoring opportunities throughout the game. The Mules committed three turnovers, had a field goal attempt blocked and were stopped on a fake field goal attempt.

Bluff looked like it may survive the errors of its ways with its fourth-quarter touchdown, which came on the possession following Jackson's lone second-half score.

Facing a third-and-long from the Poplar Bluff 31, Revelle moved the Mules to the Indian 30 with a 49-yard pass completion. The Mules needed just two Eric Sherman runs to cover the remaining distance, the latter a 15-yard jaunt with 4:51 left in regulation. However, the Mules missed an opportunity to move ahead as Barker's extra point sailed wide right.

Barker missed his 20-yard field goal attempt on the second play of the fourth quarter and Jackson capitalized on the momentum.

Jackson took the momentum to break a 7-7 deadlock. Starting at their own 20, the Indians relied heavily on Wessel, who almost single handedly drove the ball down the field. Wessel scored on a 3-yard run with 7:20 remaining in the game. Hopkins missed the extra point and Jackson led 13-7.

The Indians scored first in the first half. Harith Jones pulled in a 26-yard scoring pass from Andy Callis at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter. The possession was set up when Poplar Bluff fumbled a punt return to give Jackson possession at the Mule 35. Hopkins added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Poplar Bluff tied the score on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Revelle with 30 seconds left in the half. Barker kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie.