Jackson pulls off stunner with late explosion

ST. LOUIS -- With less than seven minutes remaining in Jackson's opening Class 5, District 1 game Friday night at Parkway Central the Indians found themselves down by 22 points.

It merely set the stage for a miraculous comeback as running back Jason Meystedt and quarterback Marc Lumsden brought Jackson's offense to life, leading the Indians to a 34-28 victory over a stunned Parkway Central squad.

"This is an awesome game on our part," said Meystedt, who scored three touchdowns. "We did a great job."

After the Colts (1-7) pulled ahead 28-6 on a Shawn Scott touchdown run, it was time for Meystedt to get to work. Meystedt returned the following kickoff more than 80 yards for his second touchdown of the game. Tyler Profilet hit Brad Crader in the end zone on a two-point conversion to make the score 28-14 with 6:30 left.

Jackson (4-3) kept the momentum going by recovering the ensuing onside kick. Lumsden took over at quarterback and quickly hit Meystedt for a 42-yard reception to set the Indians up at the 5-yard line. Meystedt punched it in two plays later. The Indians missed their second extra point of the game and the score stood 28-20.

The Indians' special teams quickly atoned for the missed point by recovering its second onside kick. Lumsden, who had been alternating at quarterback with Profilet, stayed in at quarterback for his first consecutive series of the game. Once again Meystedt made a big catch, bringing the Indians to the 20-yard line.

After Jackson was backed up 15 yards for a personal foul, Lumsden hit Crader for a 34-yard touchdown pass to bring the Indians within two points. Meystedt rumbled into the end zone on the two-point conversion to tie the score with less than four minutes left.

Reeling after allowing three touchdowns in three minutes, Parkway Central's offense went three and out on its next possession. With the ball at their own 45-yard line, the Indians went to the air to complete the comeback.

Lumsden hit Neal Grossheider and Derek Miller on consecutive plays to put the ball at the Colts' 15-yard line. The Indians drew a pass interference penalty on the next play, and two Meystedt runs later Jackson was up for the first time in the game.

Meystedt finished the game with 78 yards rushing and 98 yards receiving. Lumsden completed his last six passes of the fourth quarter.

Meystedt accounted for Jackson's only touchdown of the first half, which ended with Parkway Central leading 7-6.

In other district action, Francis Howell defeated Parkway West 28-7. Jackson will host Parkway West on Friday.