JACKSON VICTORY RATES PERFECT 10; INDIANS (10-0) TOP MULES 33-19

Jackson running back Devree Flint was tackled by Poplar Bluff's Demar George on a first-quarter kickoff return during Friday night's game at Jackson High School. The Mules' A.J. McDonald (48) was also ready to assist on the play.

JACKSON -- It may have been a little cold at Jackson's football field for Friday night's game against Poplar Bluff, but it was a perfect night for the state-ranked Indians.

Jackson completed it's first undefeated regular-season since 1935 with a 33-19 victory over Poplar Bluff. The win gave the Indians their second consecutive Class 5A, District 1 and SEMO North titles, improving their record to 10-0.

Jackson, ranked seventh in the state, will host a first-round playoff game Wednesday against undefeated Kirkwood. Kirkwood beat Mehlville 10-0 for the District 2 crown.

Poplar Bluff, which entered the game with a four-game win streak, finished its season at 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the league and district.

"I don't care who you're playing, when you're playing, where you're playing, when you have to play 10 games and you win them all it's something special," said an emotionally choked up Gross. "We had a lot of pressure on us tonight."

For the first time all year, the outcome of an Indians' contest was still in doubt late in the fourth quarter. Jackson finally sealed the game when quarterback Justin Keen found Travis Wilson for a 39-yard scoring pass on fourth down with 2:13 left in the game to make the final score.

With a perfect season on the line, and the Indians facing a fourth-and seven on the play, Gross left the game up to his players.

"I've got a lot of kids with a lot of football experience and they understand the game," Gross said. "When I go out to talk to them I ask them `what do we want.'"

Wilson, a senior tight end, had a play in mind.

"Wilson said we were going to throw it so the offensive line said `we've got to make it look like run,'" Gross said. "(Halfback) Devree (Flint) gave a good fake, Justin gave a good fake and just like Travis said, he was wide open."

Keen rolled left on the pass and fired a strike to Wilson at the 20, where he slipped a tackle and raced into the end zone for the clinching score with 2:03 left.

Keen completed 5-of-10 passes for 115 yards. Wilson caught three passes, all in the second half, for 68 yards.

But if it wasn't for another huge night by Flint and the Indians' offensive line, the evening may not have been so perfect for Jackson.

In a showdown with Poplar Bluff tailback Jeric Blackmon, Flint gained 209 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries. Blackmon, who had 139 yards at halftime when the game was tied 13-13, finished with 186 yards and three TDs on 22 carries.

Blackmon put the Mules ahead on their opening possession with a 36-yard run, but Flint tied the score with a 2-yard score to end a 10-play drive.

After Andy Callis ended a Poplar Bluff drive at the Jackson 3-yard-line with an interception, the Indians went 97 yards on 17 plays with Flint ending the drive with a 9-yard run.

The Mules tied the game with just 39 seconds left in the half on an 18-yard draw play to Blackmon. The Mule senior broke several tackles to make the score 13-13 at the half.

Jackson received the second half kickoff and needed only three plays to take the lead for good. Fullback Kyle Ward burst through the line for a 53-yard run on the second play of the half and Flint scored on the next play from 6-yards out. Keen's extra-point kick made the score 20-13 with just a minute elapsed in the second half.

Ward ended with 65 yards on only six carries.

Bluff battled back to score with 6:23 left in the third quarter, but Mule coach Mark Barousse elected to try for two points. Blackmon was stopped on the play by Callis and Wilson and the Indians remained ahead 20-19.

Flint scored his final time on a punishing 21-yard run where he ran over a Mule defender at the 10-yard-line. Keen's kick failed to make the score 26-19, but the Indian defense kept Blackmon in check to complete their undefeated season.