Indians pack 8-0 record, lesson

The Jackson Indians touched the proverbial stove last week.

No matter how many times coaches say not to overlook opponents, the Indians did it anyway. And they got burned for more than 200 passing yards and 35 points by a team that is now just 2-6.

Jackson, 8-0 and ranked sixth in the state, won the game 49-35, but everyone on the team was disappointed with the performance.

After last week, it's safe to say that the Indians won't touch the burner again. Not this year, anyway.

The Indians face another upset-minded team tonight when they travel to Francis Howell for the second of three Class 5A, District 1 games.

A Jackson and Poplar Bluff win tonight would set up a highly anticipated game between the Indians and Mules on Nov. 2. Poplar Bluff plays host to Vianney tonight.

But first things first.

"I know one thing, if anyone was looking to Week 10, they're not anymore," said Jackson coach Carl Gross.

Gross said the Indians' practices this week have been hampered by the weather, forcing a couple practices inside. But Gross noted that last week's letdown was more mental than physical. And he included himself in the blame.

"We've had a lot of walk-through and film time," he said. "Hopefully, we'll be ready to go. If we get beat, we want to get beat playing well. If they can physically whoop us, that's one thing. But we don't want to beat ourselves."

Francis Howell

The Vikings played Poplar Bluff tough last week, trailing just 3-0 at halftime before allowing a couple big plays and falling 23-7.

But Howell could get nothing done offensively, managing only 59 yards of total offense.

"We wanted to build a defense that would keep us in games," Howell coach Larry Branson said. "But we were hoping our offense would be a little bit better than it has been. What worries me about Jackson is their defense. Mario Whitney is going to get his stuff, but their defense has nine kids back from last year and they were tough last year.

"That's why I'm sitting here thinking, 'How did they allow 35 points in a game?' We've scouted them three or four times."

Vianney certainly didn't do it by running the ball, netting only 39 yards.

Instead, the Golden Griffins -- though their percentage was not high -- averaged more than 25 yards per completion.

Gross said there were several reasons for the lapses, including a lack of pressure on the quarterback and some perfect throws by Vianney's quarterback.

As for the defensive backs, Gross said they made no fewer mistakes than anyone else, but theirs were magnified.

Still, Gross and Jackson's coaching staff have toyed with the idea of putting Whitney in the defensive backfield.

"There's always that temptation," Gross said. "You'd like to have that speed at every position. But we have confidence in the cornerbacks and safeties we've got. They've all had some good games this year. But we've talked about it and if we're in a situation where we need to win a ballgame, don't be surprised to see No. 20 out there."

Whitney closes in on 2,000 yards

Whitney has rushed for 1,794 yards this year and, if he gets his average of 224 yards this week, he'll surpass 2,000 for the season with one more regular-season game left.

And if Howell's coach is right, he could end up with a lot more.

"If we hold him to less than 300, we'll be excited," Branson said.

Howell's defense is not very big, but it is fairly quick.

"They swarm you," Gross said. "Their defensive end's number is 11. Their defensive tackle is 42. So you know they've built their defense on speed. They've got kids on the field who can run and chase."

But, "We're not very strong on the line," Branson said. "We seem to lose the battle in the trenches. We're young and a lot of these guys have to work a little harder in the weight room. Teams have thrown us around like rag dolls at times."