Recent history would suggest this is the week Jackson will win a 1998 football game.

The Graves County (Ky.) Eagles, Jackson's opponent tonight, did not win a game last year and are off to a 1-2 start this year.

Jackson beat them 34-7 a year ago.

But Jackson coach Carl Gross is preaching a more recent history lesson these days.

"In Graves County, they've won a football game this year," Gross said. "We haven't. If our kids think they can just show up for this game, it's going to be another long Friday night in Jackson."

Jackson is 0-3 after losses to Sikeston (17-14), Sumner (38-26) and Perryville (18-14). The Indians, who host Graves County at 7:30, could be 3-0 with a few breaks and much more consistency.

But they're not.

"Our team shows a different personality every week," Gross said. "I've got a bunch of kids who think they're playing well, but they're not playing well enough to win.

"We don't have everybody blocking on every play offensively, and we don't have everybody tackling on every play defensively."

The Indians' offensive line and running back Todd Wessel will be called upon to rebound from last week's performance, when Jackson's running game was lackluster other than a 60-yard touchdown run by Wessel.

Meanwhile, the Pirates ran Jackson up the pole.

"Perryville beat us Friday the way we beat teams a year ago," Gross said. "They ran 60 offensive plays and we ran 30."

Jackson moved the ball inside the Pirates' 15-yard line twice Friday night without scoring.

"A year ago, when we got the ball inside the 15, we scored," Gross said. "That goes back to running the football."

Although quarterback Chris Freeman threw the ball effectively at times last week, senior Andy Callis will start at quarterback for the Indians.

On defense, John Cotilla moves back to outside linebacker after a stint at defensive end, and Harith Jones and Callis will start at cornerback, with Tory Meyr moving to safety.

Although Graves County did not embarrass itself in a recent game against powerful Mayfield, the top rated Class 3A school in Kentucky, and despite Jackson's slow start, the Indians have to be considered favorites.

"We look at every week as another opportunity," Gross said. "The thing about it is, you don't ever want to lose a football game.

"But you have to remember, we had beaten Sikeston the last couple of years, and Sumner didn't win a lot of games last year. We have to realize we're not going to go out there and win just because we're wearing the red and white uniform."