Jackson soccer gets revenge, claims district crown in OT

~ Indians avenge last year's loss to Seckman with 2-1 victory

HILLSBORO, Mo. -- Apparently, hell hath no fury like a high school soccer team scorned.

One year after a well-placed penalty kick by the Seckman Jaguars prevented the Jackson Indians from winning their third consecutive district title, the two district rivals met again Thursday night to determine which of them would represent Class 3 District 1 in the sectional round.

This time, the results were decidedly different from last time, as an overtime goal by junior forward Law Duncan put a 2-1 win in the hands of Jackson.

Jackson coach Zack Walton admitted that he used the recent history of bad blood between the two teams to motivate his players, and that it was a key to their victory.

Jackson's Law Duncan kicks the ball as Seckman's Zach Kos defends during the second half of their Class 3 District 1 championship game Thursday in Hillsboro, Mo.

"I'm sure that what happened last time was in the back of everyone's mind," he said.

The two teams engaged in a feisty and intense defensive struggle, spending the majority of the game grappling for control of the ball. They often knocked each other to the turf, which led to the Jaguars garnering two yellow cards. Both teams drew plenty of fouls throughout the game.

Offensively, Seckman struck first on a goal by Joe Hula. But Jackson quickly answered when Ryan Schlick converted a penalty kick.

Neither team was able to score in the second half as they beefed up their defenses. Both goalies, Seckman's Alex Held and Jackson's Cody Boehme, performed brilliantly during this stretch.

"I just tried to keep the ball out of the net and give everything I have," Boehme said.

Jackson's Nick Rangel, right, guards Seckman's Joe Kaver during the first half of the Class 3 District 1 championship game Thursday at Hillsboro, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

The score was tied at 1-1 as the final buzzer rang, which triggered a 15-minute sudden-death overtime. Seckman started strong, but an over-the-head save by Boehme seemed to suck the wind out of both the tired players and their emotionally drained fans. That's when Duncan, situated directly in front of Seckman's goal, fired a short but powerful game-winning kick.

"I was trying not to think too much and just keep my head in the game," Duncan said.

"I'm just proud that we kept our composure out there, even when it got rough," Walton said.

The Indians will face Vianney in Tuesday's 7 p.m. sectional at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton, Mo. Vianney was ranked second in Class 3 in the latest Missouri Soccer Coaches Association poll.

"Sounds like a fun challenge to me," Duncan said.

Jackson's Clayton Baker goes up for a header against Seckman during the first half of their Class 3 District 1 championship game Thursday in Hillsboro, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

"I'm a bit intimidated to be facing them," Boehme said, "but we'll be fine if we play like we did tonight."