Jackson preview: Englehart, Jansen set tone for team with hard work

Jackson coach Carl Gross doesn't have a lot of returning players from last year's 7-3 team that ended a two-year streak of losing seasons.

But he sure can't complain about the few that are back. Nor can he complain about what they did in the offseason to try to build a streak of winning seasons at a school that had just one losing season from 1994 to 2001.

Erick Englehart, the lone returning starter on offense, will anchor a traditional program strength -- the offensive line -- at right tackle.

Cole Jansen, a second-team all-conference selection last year on the defensive line, returns to spearhead the defense and will pitch in on offense.

"They've really worked hard to make sure they have a chance to be really good football players," Gross said. "Erick is a three-year starter, and Cole Jansen is coming off a good wrestling season and he had a tremendous spring and summer in the weight room."

Englehart and Jansen made sure they weren't alone, working with other seniors throughout the summer to make sure as many as 40 players joined them in the offseason conditioning program.

Three mornings a week throughout the summer, they were up at 6 a.m. to run, then work out on the weights. Then it was back at it in the evening for conditioning.

"Cole works for his dad in construction, and his dad works him hard," Gross said. "He came in in the mornings and worked out, he'd work for his dad all day and then he came back for conditioning two nights a week.

"And he and Erick take care of business in the classroom. They're good kids."

With those kinds of examples, the members of the Jackson football team get a glimpse every day of hard work paying off.

"It's hard when you know all your friends are sleeping in," Jansen said. "But we're a very close team. We would work out and whoever wasn't there, we'd track them down and tell him to get out here to get better."

Jansen and his classmates have some incentive. Following up on last season won't be easy with the number of departures from the offense.

Running backs Jason Meystedt, Austin Bock and Eric Poythress accounted for more than 1,400 yards of rushing last season. Quarterback Joey Starke passed for 758 yards with just four interceptions on 110 passes, while Neal Grossheider, Brad Crader and Nathan Leoni were on the receiving end for 648 yards. And that's just the skill players. Among the linemen who graduated was Matt James, who accepted a Division I-AA offer from Southeast Missouri State.

"The seniors need to be leaders and step up," Englehart said.

The 6-foot-1, 255-pounder will be one of many called on to new roles. In addition to playing offensive tackle, Englehart will do some spot duty on the defensive line.

Jansen (6-1, 235) will play on both lines this year, as will senior Nathan Warmack (6-4, 250).

Other offensive linemen candidates are Chris Summers, Ben Wood and Max Goshen.

Tight ends will be Matt Leadbetter, Luke Clippard and Antonio Garritano, with running back Israel Amerson also getting some chances there.

Amerson (5-10, 171) had a half-dozen carries last year, which makes him a veteran among running backs. Joel Penrod (5-10, 185), who is moving from fullback to tailback, is the top returning rusher with 56 yards on 14 carries. Tom Wood, a junior moving up from the junior varsity, and sophomore Cody Rawlens also are in the mix.

Junior quarterback Rex Meyr (5-10, 170) threw 17 passes in varsity action last year, 12 of those in the first two games before Starke settled into the role. "He's very athletic," Gross said. "He has a good arm, good speed. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

Meyr should have plenty of options to throw. Gross said receiving is the "deepest" position on the team.

Jordan Sneathen, who started on defense last year, joins Cameron Heath, Travis Wright and Russel Brown in the mix at one wideout spot while Austin Leimer and Alex Austin -- "I yell 'Austin!' and they both answer," Gross said -- are at the other. Luke Crader, Danny Miller and Michael Wood are candidates at tight end.

"The depth chart is real flexible right now," Gross said. "It's going to depend on the jamboree and the first couple of games."

A few more of the defensive positions are in veteran hands with Sneathen in the secondary, Jansen and Warmack up front, and Penrod and John Gray at linebackers.

"The defense is looking as good as last year," Jansen said.

The Indians held opponents to eight or fewer points in five games last year.

"We might not be as big as last year," Jansen said, "but we're tough and strong and fast."

"We're pretty determined," added Englehart.

Their work for this season began at the conclusion of last year.

Englehart, who said he switched his weightlifting focus from leg strength to upper body, said he took his bench press weight from about 250 last year to 320 this year.

"We have a weightlifting class during school," Jansen noted. "We learn health and nutrition and how the body reacts to lifting -- how to have overall good health."

Now the Indians would like to translate good health into a healthy record.

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Jackson Info

• Coach: Carl Gross, 17th season (112-58)
• Last year: The Indians finished 7-3, including a 3-0 run through the SEMO North.
• Key departures: Jason Meystedt, RB/LB; Austin Bock, RB; Eric Poythress, FB/LB; Brad Crader, TE; Matt James, OT; Andy Glass OG/DL; Billy Uren, TE/DL; Joey Starke, QB.

2004 results

Gosnell, Ark. W 33-8

at Roosevelt W 42-3

at Vianney W 28-12

Jefferson City L 48-24

Central W 35-6

at Poplar Bluff W 35-21

Rockwood Summit L 34-14

at Eureka L 27-0

Seckman W 21-6

2005 schedule

Sept. 2 Hillcrest, Miss. 7

Sept. 9 Roosevelt 7

Sept. 16 Vianney 7

Sept. 23 at Sikeston 7

Sept. 30 at Jefferson City 7

Oct. 6 at Central 7

Oct. 14 Poplar Bluff 7

Oct. 21 at Rockw'd Summit 7

Oct. 28 Eureka 7

Nov. 4 at Seckman 7

Offense

• Offensive lineman Erick Englehart is the only returning starter, but Gross likes his team's depth at receiver and the athletic ability of quarterback Rex Meyr. "He's got a good head on his shoulders," Gross said. "He understands the game. We're confident with him at the helm."

Returning starters:

OT Erick Englehart 6-1 255 Sr.

Defense

• Jackson returns five players who put in some significant minutes, led by Cole Jansen and Nathan Warmack up front. The Indians were very good in victories -- five games with eight or less points allowed -- but surrendered 109 points in three losses.

Returning starters:

DL Cole Jansen 6-1 235 Sr.

DL Nathan Warmack 6-4 250 Sr.

LB Joel Penrod 5-10 185 Sr.

LB John Gray 5-11 180 Sr.

DB Jordan Sneathen 5-9 170 Sr.

Special teams

• Jackson has a surplus of specialists. "Some years you don't have any kickers," Gross said. "This year, we have two kickers and two punters." Grant Ressel booted 33 extra points last year. He and Penrod will do the kicking, while Penrod and Rex Meyr will handle the punting. As for returns? "We're going to do that by committee right now," Gross said.

Returning starters:

K Grant Ressel 5-11 130 Sr.

P Joel Penrod 5-10 185 Sr.

Outlook

• Jackson lost a lot of players to graduation, including 1,492 yards of rushing from Jason Meystedt, Austin Bock and Eric Poythress. The schedule might make it tough for Jackson's new players to get their feet wet, and the district proved to be a stumbling block last year. Repeating last year's SEMO North division championship is the first goal.