Jackson wins opener

~ The Indians used a strong second half to defeat Francis Howell Central 28-21.

Jackson started 10 new players on defense in its season opener Friday at home against Francis Howell Central, and the numbers they yielded in the first half were also big.

Defending a short field, the Jackson defense gave up 21 points and 176 yards on the ground by halftime.

The defense answered the call in the second half, though, holding Howell Central scoreless.

And thanks to a Steve Begemann touchdown early in the fourth quarter off a blocked punt, Jackson fought back for a 28-21 win.

"We picked it up big time," Begemann said. "I don't know how to explain it. The coaches believe in us, and we believe in each other. We picked up our assignments and made big plays."

Those big plays included forced fumbles in the second and fourth quarters. Begemann forced a fumble in the second, which led to a 7-yard touchdown run to put Jackson ahead 14-7 early in the quarter.

In the fourth, Jackson forced a fumble on the sideline at its own 25 to thwart the Spartans as they drove for the game-tying score.

"We knew we could do the job," junior defensive lineman Antonio Garritano said. "We just had to go out there and show we could do it. We don't have as much experience, but we feel like we have more athleticism and speed."

Just as important as the play of Jackson's new-look defense was the Indians' special teams. Danny Miller came up with the biggest play of the game, blocking a Spartans punt into the end zone with 7:49 remaining. The Indians also blocked a field goal late in the third with the score tied 21-21, and Jackson took advantage of a poor punt snap earlier in the game to set up a score.

"We're pretty darn good on our special teams," Indians coach Carl Gross said. "We expect them to make those plays."

Punter Rex Meyr had two punts of 48 or more yards in his debut at the position, but he could not help Jackson escape poor field position in the first half, when Howell Central's defense held Jackson to just 51 yards of offense and four first downs.

Besides the forced fumble and poor punt snap, Jackson started inside its own 25 on seven first-half possessions. Meanwhile, the Spartans started inside their 38 just once in seven possessions and twice started in Jackson territory.

The strong field position helped Howell Central build a 21-14 halftime lead. Pierre Deshir scored twice in the half and gained 119 yards on just nine carries.

A key second-half adjustment on defense helped the Indians limit Deshir to just 44 yards after the half and limited the Spartans to just 48 yards rushing in the second half.

"Coach [Van] Hitt made an adjustment and put us into a 34 defense to be able to get to the quarterback so he couldn't keep the ball and run it up the pipe," Gross said.

After stalling for much of the first half, Jackson's offense came to life in the third quarter. Senior fullback Chad Wheeler took a third-and-long screen pass 56 yards for a score to tie the game at 21-21. Wheeler also set up a score earlier in the game with a 22-yard rush that put Jackson at the 1.

Sophomore fullback Drew Bucher gained 28 tough yards on five carries in the second half, and junior running back Cody Randen picked up a couple of fourth-quarter first downs and 26 second-half yards.

"They [Bucher and Randen] ran hard, and Josh Wheeler had the one that set up the score that was a big effort, and the screen play was a big effort."

Meyr finished 2-of-10 passing for 69 yards, and Randen and Trae Smith added scores. Wheeler led the Indians with 37 yards rushing.