Huge crowd expected

Extra bleachers have been brought in and a few more police officers will be in attendance for more security in anticipation of a huge crowd for tonight's football game between Jackson and Poplar Bluff at Jackson Stadium.

Tonight's game should draw the biggest crowd of any high school football game this season in Southeast Missouri.

"Last time we played Bluff here, we had standing room only in the complete circle around the field, six or seven deep," said Jackson athletic director Kevin Bohnert. "We're expecting that again this year. The last couple years, this has been a better attended game than Cape Central."

Bohnert said the gates will open at 6 p.m for the 7:30 contest.

Tickets can be bought in advance to prevent long lines at the ticket window. In Jackson, they can be purchased at SEMO Specialty & Sports or the Bank of Missouri.

"I think there's going to be a lot of people there," said Poplar Bluff coach Mark Barousse. "I think we'll bring at least 2,000."

"We'll see how many we can get inside the fence," said Jackson coach Carl Gross.