Memorable games in the Central-Jackson football rivalry

1914

Jackson 7, Central 0

The game at the fairgrounds was the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the first two having been split.

After one player from Central and one from Jackson had been sent off from the game, the two ejected players came in contact along the sidelines not long before the end of the game. That set off a fight that included players and fans.

"Citizens got into the difficulty and were soon fighting with the children," the Daily Republican reported. "The Jackson boys finally tore away, ran for their autos, and whirled away for Jackson."

The series did not resume until 1919.

1920

Turkey Day: Jackson 1, Central 0

The second meeting of the year -- Jackson had won 14-0 in the first one -- got off to a contentious start when Central lodged a protest about the head linesman prior to warmups. The schools had an agreement not to use officials from either city, but a referee from Perryville did not show up to work the game.

After a scoreless first period, Central's Lorenz Fisher plunged into the end zone on the second play of the second quarter, according to a Southeast Missourian report.

Head linesman "Butch" Mueller of Jackson called the play offside. A crowd swarmed the field and arguments ensued.

The Central yearbook reported: "After the dust had cleared up and every one saw the result the conceited head linesman called Cape offside. This was not a surprise to any of the Cape players or rooters, as this was anticipated before the second quarter started."

Central agreed to take the penalty if Jackson agreed to replace the official, but the host team would not agree.

Central quit the field, and Jackson was awarded a 1-0 win.

1933

Turkey Day: Jackson 6, Central 6

Jackson scored its first touchdown in the series since 1923 and settled for a 6-6 tie before 3,293 fans at Houck Stadium.

The Indians, who had a size advantage of 159 pounds to 153 pounds along the front line, ended up with 366 yards to to Central's 110.

The teams ended the year tied for second in Little Six Conference, with Jackson finishing 7-1-1.

The teams had decided before the game to no longer play on Thanksgiving and instead schedule St. Louis area teams. For that and other reported reasons, the teams did not play each other in 1934 or 1935.

1936

Central 18, Jackson 7

In the first meeting since the two-year lapse, Central won for the sixth time in eight meetings -- the other two were ties.

Jackson, which had won its last 17 games and was 7-0, led 7-6 at halftime. But Carl Mayer ran 88 yards on the opening kickoff of the second half to put Central ahead.

Mayer scored all three touchdowns for Central, which won the Southeast Missouri High School Conference championship.

1942

Turkey Day: Central 70, Jackson 0

Central completed an unbeaten and unscored-upon season by beating winless Jackson before a crowd of 1,600.

Jackson had two drives into Central territory early in the game before Central built a 19-0 firt period lead on touchdowns by Bob Martin, Jack Hinton and Albert Underwood.

Martin finished with three touchdowns.

1946

Turkey Day Game: Central 21, Jackson 20

Jackson scored against Central for the first time since 1941 but fell short by the narrowest of margins.

Central used the ground game for 127 of its 212 yards but lost three fumbles. Jackson passed for 155 yards while rushing for just 51 but had two interceptions.

The difference was a missed extra point following Jackson's second touchdown, which came in the fourth period. Halfback Bill Wilkening, who passed for two touchdowns for Jackson, missed his dropkick for that extra point. Central was penalized on the first attempt, but Wilkening missed on a second chance.

Jackson had scored the game's first touchdown by recovering an errant punt snap in the end zone.

1962

Central 7, Jackson 7

Previously unbeaten Central was limited to 74 yards rushing and had just four first downs but had the game's biggest play -- a 68-yard touchdown pass.

After a scoreless first half, Jackson's Eugene Meyer scored on a 30-yard run. Ray Schweain ran for the extra point.

Central answered immediately with Greg Brune's touchdown pass to Joe Metje. Mark Hendrick converted the point-after.

Central finished 7-0-2, while Jackson closed at 3-4-3.

Central went on to capture the next 12 meetings in the series.

1979

Central 55, Jackson 16

Jackson scored on its first offensive series, then Central proceeded to score eight consecutive touchdowns in a rout.

Running back Brian Craft scored on five touchdown runs.

Central rushed for 273 yards and passed for 165 -- many on connections from Kerry Holloway to Steve Williams -- while 363 of Jackson's 376 yards came on the ground. Jackson threw two interceptions and lost six fumbles.

"This game will live in infamy for a long time," Jackson coach Paul Webber told the Southeast Missourian after the game.

1988

Jackson 47, Central 42

In the highest-scoring meeting of the series, the offenses were fast and furious. The scoring opened with Greg McNeely's 87-yard return of the opening kick for Jackson.

The Indians never trailed but they had to keep scoring. McNeely added a TD run in the fourth, and quarterback Jason Liley ran for one TD and passed to Chad Craft for two TDs.

Central scored on two hook-and-ladder plays in the second half and finally was subdued when Jackson recovered the Tigers' onside kick attempt in the final 20 seconds.

1994

Jackson 7, Central 0

Rob Langford's 4-yard touchdown run in the third period was the only scoring in a controversial game.

On the Tigers' last drive, they marched from their 30 to Jackson's 20. On a fourth down play, Chip Sepulvado threw an apparent touchdown pass. But offsetting penalties -- one on Jackson's defensive secondary and one on Central for an illegal block in its backfield -- nullified the play. On the next play, Sepulvado scrambled and was tackled at the 13-yard line, ending the threat.

Jackson won the next three games in the series -- all by 10 or more points -- and is 10-2 against Central since this meeting.

2005

Jackson 44, Central 0

Jackson posted its first shutout in the series since its 2001 victory.

The Indians limited Central to 63 yards of offense, including minus-4 yards rushing for Hykeem Hammonds.

Jordan Sneathen scored on a 45-yard return of Central's first punt and the Indians were on their way. Joel Penrod finished with 108 yards rushing for Jackson.

~-- Toby Carrig