FOOTBALL PREVIEW: With key production gone on both sides of the ball, there's a newness that surrounds Jackson in 2018

Friday, August 24, 2018

Change surrounds the Jackson football program.

A record-setting quarterback is gone. Half of the Indians' district opponents are new. The reigning two-time district champion is also gone.

As Jackson opens the 2018 season at 7 p.m. today against Webster Groves, there's one constant, though. Coach Brent Eckley is back for his seventh season and looking forward to a different challenge. Last year, Jackson had numerous contributors returning across the board. That isn't necessarily the case this time around.

Jackson football - Connor Tollison (71), Kevin Crites (73), Braxton Green (59), Wesley Blattel (50), Matt Jaco (17) and Caleb Craft (35)

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

"Every year is new. Every team is new," Eckley said. "Even when you carry from one year to the next, there are always some variables there. We do have a lot of fresh faces. The nice thing about it is these kids that we're going to be counting on this year have already been committed to this program. They're young, but they've already been a part of our program and contributing, so they kind of know what's expected.

"But anytime you've got turnover, there's chances to drop off. That's something we address and continue to fight against."

Jackson is coming off a second straight winning season and has advanced to the Class 5 District 1 championship both those seasons, falling against Vianney each time. Now, the Golden Griffins are gone thanks to district realignment. Vianney and Jackson had faced off in the district tournament the first six seasons of Eckley's tenure.

Rockwood Summit is also gone from the district with Fox and Seckman dropping down from Class 6 to replace them. Oakville and Poplar Bluff remain.

"To me, it's neat," Eckley said. "Whether we had Vianney in there, or some other teams in there, or some other teams not or however, it's always neat to have it changed up a little bit so you have the excitement of preparing for somebody different."

Jackson football - Kevin Crites

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Offense

There will certainly be something different about Jackson's offense this year with quarterback Cooper Callis gone.

Callis etched his name into the record books last year with the fourth-most touchdown passes in state history (56), sixth-most passing yards (3,807) and sixth-most completions (280) in a season, winning the Carr Trophy along the way and earning all-state honors.

Jackson football - Wesley Blattel

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Eckley is looking at sophomore Cael Welker and junior Jake Smith to replace Callis under center.

It isn't the first time Eckley has had to replace a Carr Trophy winner at quarterback. Dante Vandeven won in 2015.

"It's a challenge for those guys," Eckley said. "We've been through this a few times before when we had a really good quarterback that graduated and whoever the next guy is it's kind of nerve-wracking for that guy just because, like you said, they feel like they have to fill the shoes. Sometimes they have a difficult time really figuring out what their identity is and what their strength is."

There's a chance Jackson makes changes to the offense with a more mobile quarterback.

"All of our kids, all of our quarterbacks, have different strengths and weakness," Eckley said. "But you're right, filling in for Cooper will be difficult. As a coach, even you don't recognize -- you end up taking for granted a great quarterback."

Jackson football - Braxton Green

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

The good news is up front Jackson has plenty of returning experience with four starters back, although all-state lineman Owen Leible is gone. Dawson Southard has moved from right tackle to center, and Nathan Harrison has slid into a starting role at right tackle.

Braxton Green, Kevin Crites and Connor Tollison also return after starting last year. Tollison, a sophomore, stands around 6-foot-4 and weights 250 pounds. He was thrust into a starting role last year when Cade Lattimer tore his ACL early in the season and responded with a stellar season.

Jordan Kent returns as an all-state wide receiver after leading the team with 1,307 receiving yards. Dalton Skrob, Seth Waters, Michael Schneider, Ty Moran, Tristin Koenig, Rhet Liley and Matt Jaco are also all competing for playing time in the Indians' standard four wide receiver sets.

Waters returns at running back after backing up Ethan Laster. Dimechi Herring and Daniel Dickerson may also get some carries.

Jackson football - Connor Tollison

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Defense/ST

Cole Amelunke is a returning starter along the defensive line. Brett Myers looks to step into a starting role and Justin Singleton has transitioned to the line after being a backup inside linebacker last season. Zane Lawrence-Collier could play some nose guard as well.

Leading tackler Nathan Brown is gone at inside linebacker, but Riley Pipe is back after starting several games there at the end of last season. Bryce Norman will be at the other inside linebacker spot in the 3-4 defense.

"He's been one of our better defensive players," Eckley said. "He's been really physical, good nose for the ball."

Tristin Koenig and Randol McDowell will be the two outside linebackers.

Jackson football - Matt Jaco

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Cole Welker, who led the team in interceptions last year, has graduated. Jared Wren has slid from safety to cornerback to fill his spot. Markiese Jones is back at cornerback, and Herring and Charles Smith are competing for playing time.

Caleb Craft and Jaco are the starting safeties, with Grant Sides rotating in.

Callis was also the Indians' punter last year, so whoever starts at quarterback will execute quick-kick punts this season. Jaco returns at kicker after making about 95 percent of his PATs last year.

Eckley has lost Cole Welker, who he called "the best high school holder I've been around," and is looking to replace him with Craft, Liley or Waters. Dawson Southard returns for the fourth season as long snapper, and the Indians will share return duties, splitting it up by committee.

Class 5 District 1

SEMO Conference North

Head coach

Brent Eckley (46-20), 7th year

Assistant coaches

Reagan McDowell

Brandon Norman

Brad Berry

Derek Gohn

Luke Guyot

Darron Bardot

Derek Sievers

Ryan Heaton

Jason Buchtmann

Roster

2018 Schedule

2017 at a glance

Record: 8-3

Playoff result: Lost to Vianney 71-50 in district final

Points for: 51.3 ppg

Points against: 36.9 ppg

OFFENSE

Passing: Jake Smith (5 yds.)

Rushing: Seth Waters (62 yds.)

Receiving: Jordan Kent (1,307 yds.)

DEFENSE

Tackles: Luke Starzinger (74)

Sacks: Starzinger (5)

Interceptions: Five tied at 1