Jackson shoots for 5A title game

JACKSON, Mo. -- If Hazelwood East plays half as well as it talks, Jackson doesn't stand a chance.

In a Class 5A semifinal preview aired by Fox Sports Midwest, Hazelwood East tailback Tony Moss said Jackson running back Mario Whitney "isn't half the player he thinks he is."

David Richard, a linebacker/fullback who is Michigan State bound, added, "We're going to shut him up."

As die-hard fans in Indian Country would probably say, "Them's fightin' words!"

In what many are calling the biggest football game ever played at Jackson, the Indians (12-0) will try to pull off a major upset and make Hazelwood East (12-0) eat its words as both teams stand just one game away from a shot at the state championship game in the TWA Dome.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Jackson Stadium.

Gates will open at 11:30 a.m.

"I'm not going to respond to it," said Jackson coach Carl Gross of the Spartans' remarks. "We're just going to have to line up and play ball."

Jackson's players wouldn't respond to the claims either, but there was certainly a lot of chatter about the statements in the lockerroom this week.

Talent to spare

Statements aside, Hazelwood East is the most talented team in St. Louis and, by most accounts, the state. As many as eight or nine Spartans are being recruited by Division I schools, including the entire secondary.

"They're fast, they play well together and they don't make a lot of mistakes," Jackson linebacker Seth Harrell said.

Said Gross, "They're a very good football team and they're very well coached. And they are relentless.

"Everybody on their team can run. But this ain't a track meet. We're not going to run a 4x100 or a mile relay. Nobody is going to bring their track shoes. If we block and tackle well, we've got a chance to win."

The Spartans are ranked first in the state, and have outscored their opponents an average of 35-5 this season despite playing in the Suburban North Conference, traditionally the toughest conference in the state.

They run a balanced offensive attack, using a variety of weapons.

Moss is the team's leading rusher. He has rushed for 1,041 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry this season. The quarterback, Dwayne Buchanan, is a running and passing threat who has thrown for 1,300 yards and completed 49 percent of his passes. Richard, who runs mostly at fullback but also plays at tailback, has gained 940 yards.

The Spartans have trailed just once this season, 7-0, last week to Webster Groves. But East quickly recovered and won the game 35-7. The most points Hazelwood East has allowed is 20 and it has six shutouts.

Hazelwood East has had very good teams over the last several years, but the Spartans have run into some tough luck in the postseason and are on a mission for a state championship this year.

"We've had some decent regular seasons, but we haven't fared well in the playoffs," said Hazelwood East coach Corey Johnson. "It was a goal of ours to have some success in the playoffs this year."

Stopping Whitney

It's obvious Hazelwood East thinks it can stop Whitney, a tailback who runs a 4.38 40-yard dash.

If the Spartans do, they'll be the first. Whitney has gained 2,680 yards and scored 43 touchdowns. He averages 10.1 yards per carry.

"We're going to do what we do best," Gross said. "And that's run the ball."

Whitney has drawn a lot of attention from around the state. So much so, that it seems to have struck a nerve with the Spartans, which were reflected in statements to a writer with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"He's a great back and he has a lot of ability," said Richard. "But after the game they're going to be saying East defense, East defense instead of Mario, Mario. We're not going to focus just on Mario because they have a lot of excellent athletes on that team as far as the offensive line goes, the quarterback's pretty decent and they have an outstanding defense."

Said East defensive back Darnell Ray, "We feel the team should be called Mario Whitney's team, because that's all they talk about."

Indian offense

Indeed Jackson features Whitney almost exclusively on offense. If he's not running it, he's catching it or throwing it.

However, the Indians have enough other weapons to keep teams honest.

Quarterback Bryan Austin has completed 23 of his 46 passes for 446 yards this season.

Early in the season, Seth McDowell (18 catches, 384 yards) was almost the only target in the passing game, but the Indians have spread the ball to more receivers in recent weeks, including tight end Matt Roethemeyer who caught a touchdown pass last week, his first of the season.

On defense, Harrell leads the team with 121 solo tackles and 27 assists.

The Indians have outscored their opponents 452-118 this season, an average of 38-10.

Tickets on sale

Tickets are still available can be purchased up until game time. They can also be purchased in advance at SEMO Specialties & Sports and Bank of Missouri, both in Jackson, along with the senior high, junior high and middle schools in Jackson.

Admission is $5 per person, with children 6 and under admitted free.