No Bluff- Jackson is champ

JACKSON, Mo. -- Nothing erases a bad memory like a district championship.

The Jackson Indians redeemed last year's upset loss to Poplar Bluff Friday night, defeating the Mules 34-28 for the Class 5A, District 1 and SEMO North Conference championship.

As a result, the 10-0 Indians will host Rockwood Summit in a sectional game at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Jackson dominated the game in the first half, erupting to a 27-6 lead at halftime. But the Indians got a little conservative and had a couple plays called back on penalties as the resilient Mules (8-2) clawed their way back into the game and had the upper hand in the second half.

"We held on," said Jackson coach Carl Gross, who admitted that he may have been too conservative with his play calling in the second half. "But we're undefeated. We're the district and conference champs. And we get to work all weekend. I love it."

Jackson running back Mario Whitney ran for 319 yards and five touchdowns on 31 carries. He also caught a 37-yard pass and had a long touchdown reception called back on a formation penalty.

His 319 yards were more than 10 times more than he had against Poplar Bluff last year.

"Last year, they shifted the tackles outside to take away the outside," explained Whitney. "And they did it again for the first half this year so we ran between the tackles. In the first half, we whooped 'em, but in the second half they kind of figured us out."

Jackson was in complete control of the game for all but seven minutes of the game -- the first five minutes and the last two.

Poplar Bluff scored first when quarterback Michael Crunk hit Brent Little from 1 yard out. A missed kick left the score at 6-0.

On the next play, Whitney ran for a 70-yard score and, after a Chad Reiminger kick, the Indians led 7-6.

Jackson's next two scores were set up by interceptions -- one by Kyle Newell, his fifth of the year, and the other by Brian Randolph.

"I knew we'd be all right against the pass," Newell said. "All year, our corners have been there, they just didn't make the play. And we got juned up for it tonight.

"This is awesome. I was out for this game last year with an injury. To play in a game like this and win is great."

Shortly after Newell's interception, Whitney scored from 19 yards out to put the Indians up 13-6 with 1:03 to go in the first quarter, but Reiminger slipped on his kick attempt and missed.

With 9:45 left in the first half, Whitney put Jackson ahead 19-6 on a 35-yard run. Reiminger, who made the remainder of his kicks, put the Indians ahead 20-6.

A bad snap on a punt by Poplar Bluff set up Jackson's next score. Whitney scored from 7 yards out to put Jackson ahead comfortably 27-6.

Then came the comeback.

Poplar Bluff running back Bob Larkins rumbled in from 37 yards out to cut the Mules deficit to 25-14.

Larkins had a huge night, pounding out 211 yards on 27 carries.

"He's been doing that all year," Poplar Bluff coach Mark Barousse said. "I wouldn't trade him for nobody. And I mean nobody."

Crunk, who completed 16 of his 35 passes for 145 yards, hit Little for a 2-point conversion to pull the Mules to 27-14.

Jackson answered with Whitney's final score of the night, a 47-yard score with 7:23 to go in the third quarter.

But despite trailing 34-14 going into the fourth quarter, Bluff wouldn't quit.

Crunk hit Little from 7 yards out with 6:28 remaining to pull Poplar Bluff within 34-21.

Jackson then went three-and-out and the Mules scored again on an 11-yard reception by Tony Webb from Crunk.

With the PAT, the Mules trailed only 34-28 with 2:13 remaining.

Jackson then recovered the on-side kick and the Indians managed a first down to put the game away.

"It doesn't feel like we lost," Barousse said. "It just feels like we ran out of time. I'm proud of the way the kids came back."