Sikeston leans on big plays to rout Jackson

SIKESTON, Mo. -- With two touchdowns in less than two minutes, the Sikeston Bulldogs could not have asked for a better start in Friday night's SEMO Conference game against the Jackson Indians at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.

Jackson made things interesting for a half, but ultimately could not contain the big-play capabilities of the Bulldogs, who cruised to a 49-18 victory.

Despite the lopsided final score, the Bulldogs only led by 10 points at the half.

"I think we lost focus a little bit after we scored those quick touchdowns," Sikeston coach Kent Gibbs said. "If we can jump out on people and play the way we did in that first quarter, then it's hard telling how good we can be."

The Bulldogs (5-0) showed how good they can be on their second drive of the third quarter. Sikeston found itself backed up to the 5-yard line facing a second-and-34 after a rash of penalties and a fumbled snap.

Jackson quarterback Bobby Clark runs for yardage against host Sikeston on Friday night. (DAVID JENKINS ~ Standard Democrat)

Quarterback Trey Lewis fired a pass from the end zone to wide receiver Janeil Hatchett, who went up and made a leaping grab for a 40-yard gain and the first down to get out of the jam.

Hatchett made another sensational grab on the next play, this time for 38 yards.

Lewis followed that up an option-keeper and scored from 17 yards out to extend the lead to 35-18.

And just like that, the Bulldogs sealed the game with three big plays only moments after they were backed up to the end zone.

"They got kind of pumped up and momentum got on their side," Jackson coach Van Hitt said. "They're so athletic. We can't run with them or tackle them. We don't have anybody with the speed they've got. We have to play picture-perfect defense. If anybody makes a wrong step, it's six points with the speed that Sikeston has."

Hatchett caught five passes for a season-high 136 yards, including a touchdown reception. The 6-foot-1 senior hadn't played football since his freshman year, but he quickly has developed into a prime target for the Bulldogs offense.

"Not playing hurt me a lot, but this was our fifth game and I'm getting my feel for the game and the awareness on the field," said Hatchett, who also intercepted a pass. "I'm getting more comfortable catching the ball, running with it and running routes. It's just a comfort level."

Sikeston senior running back Darryl Howard had another big game, rushing for a season-high 181 yards on 18 carries with a pair of touchdowns. He also had an 80-yard touchdown run called back by a penalty.

"Darryl Howard was just unbelievable in the second half with the way he ran it," Gibbs said. "I know he was hurting, but he toughened up and never wanted out of the game. We started blocking some people up front and Darryl ran hard behind them."

Sikeston tallied 460 yards of offense with 301 coming on the ground. Lewis threw for a season-high 159 yards, completing 7 of 11 passes with a score. He added 79 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The Bulldogs forced three turnovers and held the Indians to 87 yards passing as quarterback Bobby Clark completed just 8 of 26 attempts.

"In warmups he was a little high," Hitt said about Clark. "Sometimes when a quarterback gets excited, they squeeze the ball a little hard, and when they throw it, the ball tends to rise a little bit. The ball was a little high all night."

The Indians didn't find much success on the ground either, rushing for 119 yards, led by Ethan Ruch's 99 yards.

"When they throw the ball that much, they're going to get some plays," Gibbs said. "I think our linebackers started overplaying the pass and maybe backing out and not filling lanes. When we get a chance to make some interceptions, we need to start making some of them to help us out a little bit more."

Jackson 6 12 0 0 -- 18

Sikeston 21 8 7 14 -- 49

First Quarter

S -- Kyland Gross 95 kick return (Hunter Williams kick), 11:46.

S -- Janeil Hatchett 45 pass from Trey Lewis (Hunter Williams kick), 10:13.

J -- Chris Poyner 16 pass from Bobby Clark (kick failed), 7:13.

S -- Trey Lewis 31 run (Hunter Williams kick), 1:13.

Second Quarter

J -- Ethan Ruch 39 run (kick blocked), 6:56.

S -- Trey Lewis 1 run (Hunter Williams), 1:56.

J -- Lowgn Wren 29 pass from Bobby Clark (pass failed), 0:17.

Third Quarter

S -- Trey Lewis 17 run (Hunter Williams kick), 2:23

Fourth Quarter

S -- Darryl Howard 3 run (Hunter Williams kick), 10:30.

S -- Darryl Howard 60 run (Hunter Williams kick), 9:26.

J S

Rushes-yards 27-119 47-301

Passing yards 87 159

Passes 8-26-1 7-11-0

Penalties-yards 6-44 9-82

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Jackson, Ethan Ruch 18-99, Bobby Clark 8-19, Brannon Wright 1-1. Sikeston, Darryl Howard 18-181, Trey Lewis 8-79, Ray Clark 5-36, Chris Word 2-11, Quentin Washington 1-8, Kyland Gross 2-7, Darien Boyd 1-2, James Watson 5-2, Team 5-(-25).

PASSING -- Jackson, Bobby Clark 8-26-1 87. Sikeston, Trey Lewis 7-11-0 159.

RECEIVING -- Jackson, Lowgn Wren 2-38, Chris Poyner 3-35, Brannon Wright 1-13, Ethan Ruch 2-1. Sikeston, Janeil Hatchett 5-136, Robert Garces 1-14, Darryl Howard 1-9.