THE LATEST LINE: JACKSON HIGH FOOTBALL HAS BEEN A SEASON TO REMEMBER

Jackson High's Indians have fielded some outstanding football teams over the years, including squads that finished second in the state in both 1994 and 1995.

But not since 1935 have the Indians put together the kind of regular season they had this year.

Simply put, it has been sensational.

The Indians wrapped up a 10-0 regular season Friday night by holding off a determined bunch from Poplar Bluff 33-19. They'll host Kirkwood Wednesday night in a first-round Class 5A playoff game.

In only its second season since moving up from Class 4A, Jackson has put together quite a two-year 5A record of 18-2.

And unlike last season, when the Indians really didn't have a chance in their opening playoff game against a Mehlville team that was loaded with major-college talent, this time Jackson appears to have a solid shot of moving on.

Of course, no matter how well the Indians have played this year, they'll have to go some to match that 1935 Jackson team, which did not allow a point all season.

Anyway, good luck to Jackson and the other area teams -- including St. Vincent -- as they all host first-round playoff games Wednesday.

* Even though they won only one game on the field all year, special prep football kudos to Chaffee's Red Devils for the heart they showed in taking St. Vincent to double overtime Friday night.

Even though the Red Devils lost 13-7, most people probably didn't give them any kind of a chance against the Indians. But they put up some kind of battle before falling short.

* Major kudos to two more area prep teams that brought home state championships over the weekend.

Kelly continued that school's tremendous run of recent accomplishments by winning the 1A-2A girls cross country title. And the Kelly boys just fell short of defending their crown by finishing second.

Leopold won its second 1A volleyball title in five years, the other championship coming in 1993.

* Even though they lost 45-38 in overtime to Nebraska Saturday thanks to a fluke play at the end of regulation, you've got to hand it to coach Larry Smith and his Missouri Tigers.

I was one of the doubters early this season that didn't think Smith was the man to get Mizzou's football program back on track.

But now, with a winning regular season assured and a bowl bid a virtual certainty, the man deserves all kinds of credit.

* The Gary Garner era of SEMO basketball is just about to begin.

SEMO has exhibition games Monday and Friday, then the Indians open the regular season a week from today at Colorado.

* St. Vincent graduate Scott Pingel has been continuing his outstanding football season for Division III Westminster College of Fulton.

Pingel, a sophomore wide receiver, recently caught a school-record 16 passes for 198 yards in a 39-34 loss to Kentucky Wesleyan College. He ranks fourth nationally in receptions (nine per game) and yards (131 per game).

The Blue Jays are coached by Ralph Young, a former SEMO assistant.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian