The new Jackson football schedule comes with a guarantee.

It's definitely not a guaranteed win.

"It's the toughest schedule in the history of Jackson High School," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "I guarantee you. That's the way we want it."

Jackson and other area high schools have set their schedules, with only a few details still being addressed.

Jackson, which will compete in Class 5A in Missouri's new six-class system, has the most revamped schedule with only four opponents remaining from last season.

Central, St. Vincent, Perryville, Scott City, Chaffee and Fredericktown each have two new opponents.

Jackson's schedule has been beefed up since one of its most successful seasons. In 2001, the Indians completed their regular season undefeated, reached the 5A semifinals for the first time and finished 12-1.

For 2002, Jackson added Rockwood Summit, Pattonville, Fort Zumwalt West, Parkway West, Parkway Central and Francis Howell. The latter three opponents are newcomers through district realignment.

While not a part of their regular-season schedule, Jackson did defeat Rockwood Summit (5-6) and Parkway West (9-3) in its playoff drive. Fort Zumwalt (9-2) and Pattonville (8-3) also reached the 5A playoffs, while Parkway Central went 8-2.

"We'll be up to our eyeballs in alligators," Gross said. "My kids saw the schedule and were excited about it. I think this year really helped with our attitude. I think our kids know they can play with the big boys."

Gone from the schedule will be Sumner, Perryville, Parkway North, Hillsboro, and district opponents Vianney and Francis Howell. Jackson defeated Sumner, Perryville, Hillsboro and Francis Howell by a combined 155-0.

Still intact is the rivalry game with Central, scheduled for the sixth week of the season.

Central, in Class 4A, added North County and Sumner and dropped Ritenour and Farmington. The Tigers defeated North County in a sectional playoff game last season and could face the Raiders twice next year if both teams win their district.

"If we could dictate exactly what we wanted, we probably wouldn't do that, but we had a hard time trying to find a team for that one game," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said.

Other area schools have seen limited schedule changes with two opponent changes.

Scott City has added Perryville and Valle, dropping Portageville and Brentwood. Chaffee will play Corning, Ark., and Crystal City, replacing Piggott, Ark., and Fredericktown. Perryville has picked up Herculaneum and Poplar Bluff and lost Waynesville and Jackson. St. Vincent will open against Priory and also added Potosi, replacing Brentwood and Lutheran South. Fredericktown's new additions are Chester, Ill., and De Soto in place of Crystal City and Chaffee.

Thursday night lights

Central coaches may have great seats on Friday nights.

The catch is, they might not be watching Central games.

Due to scheduling conflicts at Houck Stadium, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, the Tigers coaches could have as many as five home games on Thursday nights.

That's not sitting well with Brookins, whose team has traditionally played a game or two on Thursday nights each year.

The biggest drawback to Thursday games is a short week of preparation after playing the previous Friday. Also, the school usually plays JV games on Monday, which only leaves a couple of days for complete team practices. On the smaller upside, the Central varsity staff can scout games in person on the open Fridays.

The conflicts arise from Southeast women's soccer and Southeast volleyball, played in adjacent Houck Field House. The soccer team uses Houck Stadium while the volleyball team uses the locker room used by the football team.

Brookins and Central athletic director Terry Kitchen have kicked around the idea of playing a couple of Saturday afternoon games at Lou Muegge Field at the high school, but limited seating is a drawback.

The preference remains Friday at Houck.

"I'm just more of a traditionalist," Brookins said. "I just like those Friday night lights. It just sounds good."

jbreer@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611, extension 124