Jackson trounces Hillsboro

HILLSBORO, Mo. -- Mario Whitney once again ran wild -- and Jackson's Indians once again rolled past an overmatched opponent.

Whitney scored four touchdowns and rushed for nearly 250 yards -- all in the first half -- as the undefeated Indians crushed host Hillsboro 35-0 Friday night. All the scoring came in the opening half.

Jackson, ranked seventh in the state in Class 5A, improved its record to 7-0. The Indians have outscored the opposition 283-49 and have posted four shutouts. Hillsboro fell to 3-4.

It didn't take long for Whitney and the Indians to break on top. On Jackson's first offensive play of the game, Whitney bolted 59 yards for a touchdown. Chad Reiminger kicked the first of his five extra points to make it 7-0.

Whitney scored on a 6-yard run a short time later as Jackson went up 14-0. Late in the opening quarter, Hillsboro fumbled a snap on a punt attempt and Jackson took over on the 4-yard line. Whitney scored on the next play, making it 21-0.

Less than one minute into the second quarter, the Indians capped a 98-yard drive on Brad Berry's 25-yard TD romp for a 28-0 lead.

In the closing minutes of the opening half, Whitney scored on a 1-yard run to make it 35-0 at the intermission.

With Jackson holding such a big lead, Whitney did not see the field in the second half and many of the Indians' other starters also soon came out.

A continuous clock was employed in the second half.