JHS THUMPS HILLSBORO 42-0

Southeast Missourian/Fred Lynch

Hillsboro's Rees Remington ran into Jackson's Seth McDowell, left, Brian Randolph (26) and Justin Thompson on a first-quarter run during Friday's game at Jackson High School.

Jackson 42, Hillsboro 0

Springfield Hillcrest 25, Poplar Bluff 24

Sikeston 22, Roosevelt 6

Hayti 14, Scott City 6

Malden 41, Chaffee 14

Charleston 24, East Prairie 0

Dexter 24, Caruthersville 6

Perryville 17, Windsor 14

St. Vincent 35, Crystal City 0

Fredericktown 28, Park Hills 8

DuQuoin 21, Anna-Jonesboro 3

• Indians used balanced attack in improving to 7-0.

By Bob Miller

JACKSON You can try to take the wheels off the Speedwagon, but you can't take the Goodyears off of Goodson, too.

Jackson receiver/linebacker Ray Goodson showed he has some speed too, catching seven passes for 134 yards and returning an interception for 71 yards as the fourth-ranked Indians spread the ball around Friday night and came away with a convincing 42-0 win over Hillsboro.

All told, Indian quarterback John Jackson completed 11-of-14 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns as the Hawks (2-5) focused on stopping speedster Mario Whitney. Jackson (7-0) passed for 208 yards total.

"Ray had a huge night and we need him to have nights like this," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "I probably owe him an apology and the team an apology for not spreading the ball like this more often. When you've got a weapon like Mario Whitney, you unconsciously expect him to score on every play. I've got the best tight end in the state of Missouri bar none and I'm not using him like I should have. This was his best night as an Indian and he's happy and I'm happy for him too."

According to Gross, Goodson had his best game defensively, too.

With his team up 7-0 with 8:31 to go in the second quarter, Goodson intercepted a pass deep in Jackson's territory and took it all the way back to Hillsboro's 15-yard line. It proved to be the biggest play of the game as it set up a touchdown run by Whitney on the next play. From that point, Jackson pretty much dominated.

"We just wanted to get a stop right there," said the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Goodson. "Once we got a couple of TDs, I think we knew we could pull away."

"They made the big plays which is what good teams do," said Hillsboro coach Art Johanningmeir. "We squandered some opportunities and they took advantage of our mistakes."

Gross went on to explain that with Hillsboro putting nine players tight to the line of scrimmage, the Hawks were trying to cover Goodson with a safety. And once Goodson had success, it opened up passing plays for tight end Pat McComas (two catches, 53 yards, one touchdown).

One reason for Jackson's success through the air was the Indians' adeptness at selling play fakes to Whitney.

"We've been working on carrying out the fakes," said Jackson. "Coach has been on us to sell it. And we had our receivers get open and our linemen did a good job blocking tonight."

Whitney, meanwhile, had 96 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. But he didn't mind not racking up 200 yards, like he did the past three games.

"I like spreading it around," he said. "This is fun."

Though Jackson erupted to a 21-0 by halftime, the statistics were pretty even after the first 24 minutes of play. Hillsboro outgained Jackson 178-167 in the first half, but the Indians forced some key turnovers. In the second half, the Indians held Hillsboro to just 30 rushing yards.

Jackson got its first touchdown on its first play from scrimmage in the second quarter when, after Jackson recovered a fumble at Hillsboro's 30, Jackson hit Goodson from 25 yards out on a fourth-and-five play.

The Indians pretty much put the game away with 1:46 to go in the first half when Jackson hit McComas from 13 yards out. McComas had a key 30-yard reception on third down earlier in the drive.

The Indians finished things off in the second half when Whitney scored from 40 yards out on the fourth play of the second half. Jackson later hit fullback Brad Berry from 4 yards out to put the Indians up 35-0 and running back Gabe Koehler capped off the Indian scoring with a 2-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Joey Beard made all seven of his extra-point attempts.

Jackson nearly lost its shutout in the third quarter as Hillsboro moved the ball to the Indian 1-yard line. But the Indians forced a big turnover which was recovered by Kyle Perry. The Indians then assembled a 98-yard drive capped by Berry's touchdown reception.

This game marked the fourth time this season Jackson has held its opponent to less than seven points.

EMPHASIS ON WRATH MAY SCARE S