Jackson pulls away in second half for 47-13 win

Jackson High School's season-opening football game against North County followed a familiar script.

North County, for the second straight year, grabbed an early lead and trailed by only seven points at halftime before the Indians pulled away.

Friday night it was a huge fourth quarter that turned a shaky 21-13 lead into a 47-13 romp in front of an appreciative, overflow crowd at the Pit in Jackson.

"We started off slow, but we finished strong," senior running back/linebacker Garrett Miller said.

Jackson went 7-3 last season in its first year under coach Brent Eckley following a combined six wins during the previous three campaigns.

The Indians have high hopes of doing even better in 2013 and, despite the normal first-game problems, displayed the talent that should give them a chance of reaching lofty heights.

"We're excited about the season," junior quarterback Dante Vandeven said. "We all had jitters, that's for sure. But it's nice to win the first game."

Eckley felt the same way, with a qualifier.

"It's good to win, but we certainly found a lot of things we have to work on," Eckley said.

There were plenty of reasons Jackson didn't let the Raiders hang around until the very end. Vandeven and Miller were at the top of the list.

Vandeven, who was impressive last season after taking over at quarterback for Jackson's final four games, picked up right where he left off.

Vandeven, bigger, stronger and probably even faster than a year ago, completed 13 of 15 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once.

But Vandeven did more damage on the ground, rushing for 147 yards on 13 carries and scoring three touchdowns. He gained 104 yards in the second half.

Jackson wide receiver Xominique Davis is wrapped up by North County's Tristen Rosa during the Indians' 47-13 win over the Raiders Friday, Aug. 30, at Jackson High School. (Adam Vogler)

"He did a nice job. He's got a nice arm and good, quick feet," Eckley said.

Vandeven scored on two 5-yard runs and from a yard out. He ripped off a 58-yarder in the third quarter before being pushed out of bounds at the 2. He scored from the 1 two plays later.

"We didn't use much of our playbook," Vandeven said of a Jackson offense that wound up rushing 33 times while attempting just 15 passes. "The running game was fun."

Miller, Jackson's leading tackler last year with 108, was his usual disruptive self on defense.

But Miller, who averaged nearly 11 yards per carry a year ago while gaining 274 yards, was more of an offensive star Friday night.

Miller played extensively at tailback because senior Colten Proffer, last year's leading rusher with 925 yards, saw action in just one series before the tender ankle he injured during last week's Jamboree gave out.

Miller more than picked up the slack with 176 yards on 12 carries, including fourth-quarter touchdown runs of 56 and 33 yards. He also scored from 10 yards out in the opening period.

"Garrett does a great job. He did a great job last year," Eckley said.

Miller gained 125 of his yards after halftime.

"It felt great," Miller said of his big night.

While Vandeven and Miller led Jackson's offense, big junior nose tackle Preston Hobeck had two of the Indians' four quarterback sacks and provided one of the night's defensive highlights.

Midway through the third quarter, Hobeck -- also an accomplished wrestler -- zeroed in on North County senior quarterback Wyatt Compton as he dropped back to pass.

Hobeck had Compton wrapped up but there was no whistle -- so Hobeck picked Compton up and body-slammed him to the ground.

"I really didn't care if I got flagged," said a grinning Hobeck, who for the record was not penalized. "It's kind of one of my goals each game. They [his teammates] get excited. I did it four or five times last year."

Jackson's defense allowed North County to convert numerous third downs -- including four when the Raiders needed more than 10 yards -- and allowed several deep penetrations but buckled down when necessary.

"We gave up too many third downs, but the defensive coaches did a great job adjusting," Eckley said.

Jackson's defense finally took control in the fourth quarter, shutting down the Raiders as the Indians broke things wide open.

"We struggled in the beginning, but we picked it up at the end," Hobeck said of the defense.

North County scored on its opening drive as Compton -- who had a big game with 259 yards passing and 75 yards rushing -- went over from a yard out to cap a 69-yard march.

Vandeven's 5-yard run tied things and Miller's 10-yard burst with seven-tenths of a second left in the opening period put Jackson up for good at 14-7. The go-ahead TD was set up by sophomore Tyler Brinkopf's blocked punt.

But the Indians couldn't shake the Raiders until late.

North County had two golden opportunities to score in the second quarter.

Senior defensive back Ty Selsor's acrobatic, juggling interception in the end zone ended one threat.

The Raiders drove near Jackson's 5-yard line in the closing seconds of the opening half, but Jackson also snuffed out that chance.

"Missed opportunities," said North County coach Jeromy McDowell, a former Southeast Missouri State quarterback.

North County, behind 14-7 at halftime, recovered a fumble at Jackson's 37-yard line early in the third quarter and scored to make it 14-13 but the PAT failed.

Vandeven's 1-yard run, coming two plays after his 58-yard jaunt, made it 21-13.

Then came Jackson's final-quarter barrage that saw the Indians score four touchdowns in a span of 8:20.

The first two of those scores, Vandeven's 5-yard run and his 29-yard pass to senior wide receiver BJ Heuer, came in a span of 2:01.

"Happy for him," Eckley said of Heuer's first varsity touchdown.

Miller finished off the Raiders with TD runs of 56 and 33 yards.

"They just wore us down," said McDowell, whose squad bounced back from last year's 48-21 season-opening loss to Jackson by going 7-4. "They just put the pedal to the medal. They're relentless."

While not offering excuses, McDowell pointed out that his top two running backs were lost to injury in the first half and his top receiver -- senior Isaiah Smith, who caught seven passes for 110 yards -- went down on defense early in the fourth quarter when it was still 21-13.

"They're a good team, very physical. They had a good scheme," Eckley said.

Jackson finished with 373 yards rushing and 486 yards of offense after having 184 yards at halftime. North County ended with 361 yards of offense after collecting 218 in the first half.

Jackson returns to action Friday, hosting Vianney.

North County 7 0 6 0 -- 13

Jackson 14 0 7 26 -- 47

First Quarter

NC -- Wyatt Compton 1 run (Dylan Kater kick), 6:59

J -- Dante Vandeven 5 run (Ty Crowden kick), 4:01

J -- Garrett Miller 10 run (Crowden kick), 0.7

Third Quarter

NC -- Isaiah Smith 1 pass from Compton (kick failed), 8:42

J -- Vandeven 1 run (Crowden kick), 7:36

Fourth Quarter

J -- Vandeven 5 run (kick failed), 10:52

J -- BJ Heuer 29 pass from Vandeven (Crowden kick), 8:51

J -- Miller 56 run (kick failed), 6:39

J -- Miller 33 run (Crowden kick), 4:32

NC J

First downs 17 20

Rushes-yards 39-102 33-373

Passing yards 259 113

Passes 21-35-1 13-15-1

Punts 4-16.5 1-35

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 8-78 5-37

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- North County, Compton 23-75, Dan Davis 5-19, Tyler Cassidy 4-15, Seth Nickles 5-minus 3, Levi Clifford 1-1, Smith 1-minus 5. Jackson, Miller 12-176, Vandeven 13-147, Xominique Davis 4-37, Gabriel Dudley 1-5, Colten Proffer 1-4, Tristan Thele 1-4, Taylor Henson 1-0.

PASSING -- North County Compton, 21-35-1-259. Jackson, Vandeven 13-15-1-113.

RECEIVING -- North County, Smith 7-110, Hunter Strange 5-34, Cassidy 3-49, Garrett Miller 3-38, Nickles 2-17, Clifford 1-11. Jackson, Davis 3-21, Crowden 3-20, Henson 2-24, Heuer 1-29, Lashone Dean 1-20, Miller 2-minus 1, Selsor 1-0.