Jeff City powers way past Jackson

The Indians suffered their first loss in convincing fashion, falling 48-21.

By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

If Jackson football's first real test of the season came Friday night in a home matchup with Jefferson City, then the Indians failed miserably.

After four straight easy wins, Jackson hit a road block in its first ever meeting with the storied Jays program. Jefferson City won handily 48-21.

"They're just a lot better football team than we are," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "They won the line of scrimmage."

The battle up front had been something the Indians had dominated to this point of the season. Jackson had not allowed a single opponent to gain 100 yards on the ground through four games, while averaging more than five yards a carry itself.

After the first half, Jefferson City had already rushed for 216 yards, including 103 yards for quarterback Tom McKee. Overall, the Jays rushed for 391 yards.

"We just got wore out tonight. They controlled the line of scrimmage," Gross said. "We did not defend the option well. That was kind of the difference in the ball game."

Jefferson City took control off the opening kickoff. The Jays went eight plays and 60 yards in less than three minutes for a 7-0 lead. Phillip Hawley finished the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run, but a third and long pass completion was the key to the drive.

"They didn't think we'd come out throwing the ball," Jefferson City coach Michael Grosso said.

Jackson showed some resolve early in the second quarter, scoring on a short 38-yard drive with some strong running. Jason Meystedt finished off the drive with a 3-yard run to tie the score 7-7.

The celebration on Jackson's sideline was short-lived. Jefferson City scored three touchdowns over the next six minutes to go ahead 27-7. Kirk Duncan scored on a 25-yard pass from McKee; McKee followed with a 42-yard run; and Sean Mahaney put away a 6-yard run.

"Tom did a real good job directing the offense," Grosso said of McKee.

Joey Starke gave the Indians one last breath of hope late in the half with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Brad Crader. The touchdown narrowed the halftime lead to 27-14.

Unfortunately, it was another Starke pass early in the second half which swung the momentum back Jefferson City's way for good. After completing a first down pass to Neil Grossheider, Starke threw a pass toward the sideline which Hawley picked off and returned 40 yards for a touchdown and a 34-14 lead.

"The biggest play of the ball game was the interception after half," Gross said. "That let the air out of us on the sideline."

Starke added a 31-yard touchdown pass to Billy Uren late to finish off Jackson's scoring. Starke finished the game 12-of-25 for 157 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Austin Bock led the Indians with 55 yards rushing on 14 carries.

McKee accounted for 163 yards of total offense for the Jays.

"We just need to regroup. We're going to have to get better this week to beat Cape Central," Gross said.