JACKSON UNABLE TO WING IT AFTER OPENING TD DRIVE

Watching the Jackson High football team this season, the Indians appeared to be a team of destiny as they rolled through an unbeaten regular season and stomped Kirkwood in their opening playoff game.

But the Indians' dream season had its one and only nightmare Monday night during a 31-10 loss at Parkway Central in the Class 5A Quarterfinals.

"Sometimes its not in the stars," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "We just did some things we haven't done all year."

Most of those "things" were bad.

After taking the opening kickoff 75 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead, the Indians didn't crack the end zone again the rest of the night.

According to both coaches, the uniqueness of Jackson's double-wing offense wore off after that first drive.

"Its hard to simulate the double-wing in practice and they just kind of got tuned in to what we were doing after that (first drive)," Gross said. "They adjusted to our quickness, and from there, they made plays when they had to and we didn't."

Parkway coach Bob Trowbridge attempted to prepare the Colts' defense for Jackson's offense by running the double-wing offense in practice.

"We tried to simulate it in practice, but its not the same as when (Jackson) does it," said Trowbridge. "Our scouts tried to give our defense a good show (in practice), but its not near what (Jackson) can do."

But the Colts proved to be quick learners. After allowing the opening touchdown drive, Jackson's running game was held to just 100 yards the rest of the game.

"We knew coming in what they wanted to get done," Trowbridge said. "It just took us one possession to get up to their tempo. Then the defense really muscled up and figured out what they were doing."

Jackson's point-total of 10 was 18 less than its lowest output of 28 points scored in wins over Riverview Gardens and Hannibal. The loss also marked the first time all season halfback Devree Flint did not score a touchdown.

Flint, running with an injured ankle suffered against Kirkwood, was held to a season-low 84 yards on 21 carries. The loss ended Flint's record-breaking season with 30 TDs and an unofficial total of 1,918 yards on 242 carries.

Todd Wessel, also recovering from a hip injury, led Jackson with 94 yards and the lone touchdown.

"Both of our backs were dinged up and weren't running like they normally do, but still other people have to elevate their level of play and make things happen," Gross said. "We kept trying to get ourselves pumped up and ready to go, but we couldn't have that one thing happen that could put momentum in a white shirt. As a result, it ended up being a really disappointing evening for us."

The outcome had to be most disappointing for the 16 seniors that made up the heart of this Jackson team.

"Our kids had great year," said Gross. "I'm most disappointed for our seniors, but they had a great career here and obviously had a very, very good season."

Clarification

As mentioned earlier in the week, no 5A football teams from Southeast Missouri have ever reached the semifinal round of the state playoffs since the state went to five classifications beginning in 1982.

However, some Southeast Missouri teams did make it to the semifinals when Class 4A was the largest football classification prior to 1982.