JACKSON CHRISTENS SEASON AT SIKESTON

Neither Jackson coach Carl Gross nor Sikeston coach Charlie Vickery knows exactly what to expect.

They just know they'll have to be ready.

The Indians and Bulldogs open their football seasons at 7:30 tonight in a SEMO North Conference game at Public Schools Stadium in Sikeston, Mo.

"The biggest thing that concerns us is not knowing exactly what Jackson is going to do, and not knowing much about their personnel, other than the people they've got coming back," said Vickery.

Well, Sikeston knows plenty about Mario Whitney.

Whitney made his Jackson debut two years ago against the Bulldogs, giving fans a taste of what was to come as he rushed for 139 yards on 13 carries. The Bulldogs limited Whitney to "only" 104 yards last year, but Whitney didn't have much of a chance to gain big yards as Jackson had great field position all night long, blocking three punts -- all of which led to touchdowns.

Whitney rushed for 1,436 yards and led the region with 30 touchdowns last year and made a verbal commitment in July to play football at the University of Missouri. So Sikeston's coaches are well aware of his talents.

What Sikeston doesn't know is how Whitney will be used. He's the team's starting running back, but he's seen time at receiver and took some snaps at quarterback over the summer.

"You kind of go into the game with a blindfold on because you've got to try to find out what they're going to do and adjust on your feet," Vickery said.

Austin at QB

Gross said Bryan Austin is the quarterback and wouldn't elaborate on the extent of how he will use Whitney. But he does have confidence in Austin.

"Bryan's done a good job and he threw the football well in the jamboree," said Gross. "I'm not going to say Mario's not going to get some snaps at quarterback, but going into the ballgame, Bryan's my quarterback."

The extent of Jackson's offense isn't just Whitney.

Fullback Brad Berry is an established runner with big-play capabilities. Berry rushed for 485 yards last year.

Sikeston's strength, like last year, is its size at the line of scrimmage.

Sikeston averages 250 pounds on the offensive line, including a 205-pound tight end.

"We're looking forward to seeing how we match up," Gross said. "We feel if we can play with them at the line of scrimmage, we can play with just about anybody. And we're not midgets either."

Sikeston still has some question marks offensively, particularly at quarterback, where sophomore Blake DeWitt and junior Drew Lawrence are battling for the spot. Neither has taken a varsity snap.

Defensively, the Bulldogs should be tough once again this year.

And just like Vickery is concerned with game-time adjustments, Gross said he doesn't know what Sikeston's going to do on the defensive side of the ball.

"Our biggest concern is that we know coach (Jerry) Dement is coordinating the defense this year and we're concerned about how exactly the team is going to line up," said Gross. "We'll have to figure it out on the go. I just hope some of our veterans will be able to help the other kids adjust."

NOTES: The Indians didn't have good conditions to practice in this week. On Tuesday, it was sweltering. Wednesday, a spot thundershower dampened the intensity. ... Jackson enters the game with no injuries.

The Sikeston Standard Democrat contributed to this report.