Jackson's offense sputters in 27-0 loss

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Bulldogs enjoyed a historic night Friday in front of their home fans as they downed the Jackson Indians 27-0 to notch their fourth win of the season.

Sikeston defeated Jackson for the first time since 2002 and beat the Indians for the first time at SPS Stadium since 1995.

The win marks the first time the Bulldogs have reached the 4-0 mark since 1991.

"It was very important for us to beat a quality team and program like Jackson," Sikeston coach Kent Gibbs said. "I am not sure where this is historically. I think I will have a better idea of that at the end of the year. But right now, it's great."

Sikeston received the opening kickoff and Jackson (0-4) made it clear it looked to avoid the fate of Fredericktown, Charleston and Dexter by limiting the Bulldogs' ability to run.

The Indians appeared to be doing just that as they stalled the Sikeston drive at third-and-13 in Bulldogs territory. That is when quarterback Juqualin Wiggins hit Jordan Williams on a 68-yard strike that beat the closest Jackson defender by 10 yards and gave Sikeston the 7-0 lead.

The Bulldogs defense caused an Indians fumble early in the second quarter. Jackson forced fourth down, but the Bulldogs went for it. Wiggins lofted a 39-yard play-action bomb to Niquavious Dixon, putting Sikeston up 14-0.

The Bulldogs then used a little trickery as Sikeston's Chris Jones recovered an onside kick, but penalties prevented the Bulldogs from extending their lead before the half.

Jackson managed just one first down in the opening two quarters.

The Bulldogs returned to the familiar way of scoring in the second half as Jarian Wims ran 39 yards to pay dirt in the third period and Eli Jackson broke off a 12-yard scoring run early in the the fourth for the final score.

Sikeston has shut out its last three opponents and is averaging 5.0 points against it in its four games.

"Our defense played their tails off and stroked them all night long," Gibbs said. "We really did some nice things there."

Indians coach Van Hitt felt the shutout was part Sikeston's defense and part Jackson's poor offense.

"Sikeston's defensive front is solid and have good moving and hard-striking linebackers," Hitt said. "When you add that to the fact we do not get off the ball well, you do not get much accomplished."