Jackson stops Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF — Jackson's defense provided the points Friday night as the Indians beat Poplar Bluff 16-6.

Marcus Harris returned a fumble 77 yards with just under 9 minutes left in the third quarter for Jackson (3-4, 2-1 SEMO North), while Henry Williams scooped up another fumble and returned it 11 yards midway through the second quarter.

Morgan Johnson's 30-yard field goal on Jackson's first possession were the only points generated by the Indians' offense, but it was enough to beat Poplar Bluff (4-3, 1-1) for the second straight season.

The Indians snapped a two-game losing streak in the final tuneup for district play, which starts at Eureka.

"If you can win going into district, it gives you a great taste in your mouth," Jackson coach Van Hitt said. "You'll have a good attitude at practice this week. You won't be checking out your shoeshine."

Harris played defensive back for the first time since his freshman year by earning a spot on the kickoff team earlier this week in practice, Hitt said. His tackling ability led to a shot on defense, and the senior ended up making the biggest play.

The Mules scored on their first drive of the second half, a 67-yard pass from Todd Bullington to Greg Coble, cutting Jackson's lead to 9-6. After a Jackson punt went for 12 yards, Poplar Bluff took over at Jackson's 33-yard line, but the Indians forced a fumble two plays later. Harris scooped up the ball and returned it down the left sideline for a 16-6 lead.

Jackson recovered another fumble later in the third quarter and picked off a Bullington pass near midfield in the fourth.

Poplar Bluff's offense outgained the Indians 278-213, but four turnovers stopped the Mules from winning their fourth straight game.

Jackson tailback Adam Zweigart ran 20 times for 79 yards, leaving the game after leaping a defender and flipping over onto his back in the fourth quarter. The senior returned on defense later in the game.

Harris ran for 27 yards and threw for 39 more by completing 2-of-13 attempts. His 26-yard pass to Andy Winkleblack and Mitchell McCulley's 42-yard opening kickoff return set up the field goal.

Poplar Bluff's Zach Ferguson ran 14 times for 51 yards, while Bullington completed 15-of-35 passes for a career-high 219 yards.

Jackson 3 6 7 0 — 16

Poplar Bluff 0 0 6 0 — 6

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:First Quarter

JAC — Johnson 30 field goal, 9:02.

Second Quarter

JAC — Williams 11 fumble return (pass fail), 5:48.

Third Quarter

PB — Coble 67 pass from Bullington (kick fail), 11:03.

JAC — Harris 77 fumble return (Johnson kick), 8:56.

PB JAC

First downs 13 11

Total yards 278 213

Rushes-yds. 28-59 45-174

Passing yards 219 39

Punt return yds. 23 45

Kickoff return yds. 54 42

Int. returns yds. 22 3

Comp-Att-Int 15-38-1 2-13-1

Sacked-yds. lost 1-6 0-0

Punts-avg. 3-37.6 7-35.0

Fumbles-lost 3-3 1-1

Penalties-yards 4-40 7-57

Time of possession 21:15 26:45