JACKSON HAS PLENTY TO BE EXCITED ABOUT

Expectations are high in Indian Country this year.

Way high.

And not just because of junior running back Mario Whitney and his 4.43 speed in the 40-yard dash.

From top to bottom and on both sides of the ball, Jackson seems to be loaded.

"This is one of the few years where we've been two or three deep at every position and that gives you a lot of latitude," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "It potentially could be as good as any team I've coached, on paper.

"I think basically, the overall team speed we have and the ability to run has impressed me as much as anything."

The team will be pushed by three particularly stellar athletes: Whitney, Ray Goodson and Caleb Daniel.

Jackson fans took notice of Whitney (6-feet, 180 pounds), a transfer from Georgia, the first time he touched the ball as a sophomore. The running back scored a touchdown on his first varsity carry, a 10-yard run against Sikeston. He would proceed to rack up 809 yards and score 17 touchdowns -- a team high -- on an Indian squad that proved to be the area's best in 1999. In track season this past spring he was by far the fastest athlete in this part of the state. He took third in the 4A 100-meter dash.

Goodson is a senior linebacker/tight end/wide receiver transfer from 4A Ozark. An all-state linebacker last year, Goodson has the size (6-5, 215) and speed (4.6 in the 40) to cause mismatches on both sides of the ball. He will help take pressure off Whitney.

Daniel has the potential with his size (6-6, 248, sr.), strength and quickness to dominate as a defensive end. An all-region performer a year ago, Daniel led the team last year with seven sacks. He also had 75 tackles.

Although the focus will be on those three athletes this season, Gross is equally excited about his offensive line.

"We'll have the biggest offensive line I've ever coached," said Gross.

The average weight for Jackson's linemen is 249 pounds.

Leading the charge on the OL will be huge tackles Josh Pennebaker (6-2, 280, sr.) and Travis Dambach (6-5, 280, jr.). Tim Spradlin (6-1-230, sr.) and Kyle Perry (6-1, 230, jr.) will be the starting guards and Pete Ressler (5-11, 225, jr.) will be the center.

"Our linemen can run," said Gross. "They're not slugs. These kids are more mobile than most 280-pound kids. They can all move."

That big offensive line should make huge holes for Whitney, backup tailback Joe Walter and fullback Brad Berry.

Gross has been impressed with Berry's speed, particularly his first step, in practices. Berry ripped off a few long gains in varsity action last year behind Jason Schuller. Berry will share time with Seth Harrell (6-1, 195, jr.) and Mark Wade (5-10, 205, sr.).

The quarterback situation for Jackson is still somewhat fuzzy.

Gross said that last year's starter Chris Stockton is not playing this year, while numerous other sources have said that he is ineligible.

Junior Bryan Austin (5-10, 160) and senior John Jackson (6-2, 170) will likely both take quite a few snaps behind center and both proved last year in varsity situations that they are more than capable of running the offense.

"They both can throw the football," Gross said. "Johnny has a bit stronger arm, but Austin runs the option better. Each have their own strengths. It may be a situation where they both play and we may try to go to a two-quarterback system and give people more to prepare for. Neither one of those guys is chopped liver."

If there is any position that has taken an glaring hit to graduation, it's at receiver where all-state wide out Tory Meyr will be sorely missed. Jackson will use a receiver-by-committee approach this year as Mike Wilson (5-11, 150, sr.), Brian Randolf (6-0, 150, jr.), Matt Wortman (6-1, 190, sr.) and Justin Thompson (5-10, 155, jr.) all have good speed and will be used. Goodson will also be used quite a bit as wide receiver. Gross thinks that with his size he will create an obvious mismatch at that position.

"He's a player," Gross said of Goodson. "He can run, he's got good hands and he blocks as well as anyone on the team."

When Goodson gets snaps at wideout, that will lessen a log-jam at the tight end position.

Gross said he has five tight ends that he believes could start on any team in this part of the state. That group includes Goodson, Pat McComas (6-2, 225, sr.), Seth McDowell (6-3, 200, jr.), Matt Roethemeyer (6-3, 210, jr.) and Josh Tomlin (5-10, 190, sr.).

Defensively, the linebacking crew figures to be the team's strength as Goodson will play on the outside opposite of McDowell.

Both Harrell and Perry were exceptional last year as inside linebackers as sophomores.

Daniel will lead a defensive line which will consist McComas, Ressler and Spradlin.

The secondary will feature safeties Berry and Thompson and corners Matt Holloway (5-10, 160, sr.) and Randolf. Whitney and Walter will also see time at corner, while Kyle Newell (5-8, 155, jr.) and Justin Koch (6-0, 200, sr.) will back up the safety positions.

On special teams, Jackson returns an outstanding punter in James Simmons (6-9, 190, jr.).

"He knocks the air out of the ball," said Gross. "With the speed we have, we feel real comfortable with our special teams right now."

Gross said Joey Beard (5-7, 145) will get the nod as the team's starting kicker, but said he is confident in backup kickers Michael Wilson (5-11, 150) and Gabe Koehler (5-10, 175, jr.).

JACKSON

Mascot: Indians

Enrollment: 1,402

Coach: Carl Gross

Conference: SEMO North

District: Class 5A, District 1

Last year's record: 11-2

Key losses: Tory Meyr, WR; Jason Schuller, FB; Spencer Hobeck, OL; Chris Freeman, S

Key returners: Mario Whitney, RB; Caleb Daniel, DE; Seth Harrell, LB; Kyle Perry LB; Brad Berry, FB; Jason Simmons, P