WESSEL RUNS WILD AGAIN TO LEAD JACKSON

JACKSON -- Todd Wessel is piling up some huge numbers for Jackson High's football team -- and he is always quick to credit his offensive line.

Wessel, in just Jackson's fifth game of the season, went over the 1,000-yard mark Friday night as he rushed for 249 yards on 35 carries to lead the Indians to an impressive 38-14 rout of visiting Beaumont from St. Louis.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior tailback -- who rushed for 291 yards last week in a win over Graves County, Ky. -- now has 1,003 yards with still half the season left to play.

"Our line did a heck of a job tonight," said Wessel as he received congratulations on the field following the game. "I had some really good holes to run through.

"The line is a really big part of the success I'm having. In Jackson High School football, we really don't have the big-time backs, the guy that can just take it all the way any time he gets it. We have to use our linemen."

Jackson's line of tackles Nick Lohman and Spencer Hobeck, guards Lucas Amelunke and Tim Spradlin, center Pee Wee Bartles and tight end Kevin Brunke certainly did its part in helping Wessel to another big night.

"We enjoy blocking for Todd," said Lohman, the line's largest player at 250 pounds. "He always gives us credit."

Wessel scored three touchdowns, on runs of 3, 6 and 1 yard. He also ran for a two-point conversion. And he did all of his damage despite sitting out most of the fourth quarter as the game was already in hand.

"Todd had another big game and I thought the line really opened up some holes," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "(Quarterback) Andy Callis played well. He's a confident young man. He's calm and stays very level-headed."

Callis completed seven of 10 passes for 130 yards. He hit Harith Jones with a 14-yard touchdown toss as Jones led the receivers with three catches for 97 yards.

Also scoring for Jackson was Ryan Propst on a 6-yard run late in the contest.

Josh Hopkins booted a 40-yard field goal as the first half ended to give Jackson a 24-14 halftime lead. Hopkins also kicked three extra points.

Jackson dominated statistically, with 398 total yards, 268 coming on the ground. The Indians allowed just 142 yards and much of that total came late when many of Jackson's starters were on the bench. The Indians had 18 first downs to just six for the Bluejackets, who fell to 3-2.

"We played by far our best game defensively," Gross said. "Their speed scared us to death, but our front people really did a good job."

Callis and Jason Jones had interceptions for the Indians while Caleb Daniel recovered a fumble.

Beaumont's only touchdowns came on two big plays: a 36-yard pass from Carnell Wings to Lance Young on fourth-and-seven and an 85-yard kickoff return by Young after Jackson had taken a 21-6 lead.

"Overall, it was definitely our best game of the year," said Gross. "We played with more emotion tonight."

Despite dominating statistically, Jackson led by only seven points late in the first half. But Hopkins' field goal made it 24-14 at the break and the Indians controlled the second half.

Jackson will travel to Belleville, Ill., next Friday night to take on a strong Althoff squad that beat Cape Central Friday.

"That's going to be a tough one," said Gross.