Welker-Kent connection leads undefeated Jackson football to home win over Hillsboro

TYLER GRAEF ~ tgraef@semissourian.com

Jackson running back Daniel Dickerson, right, carries the ball against Hillsboro during the Indians home game Friday.

Another quick start, another big lead and another comfortable victory, and now the Jackson football team is just one win away from a historic achievement.

The Indians jumped out to a 49-point halftime lead and cruised to a 56-0 win over visiting Hillsboro in their final regular-season home game on a rainy night at The Pit. With the victory, Jackson improves to 8-0 and is just one win away from its first undefeated regular season since 2007.

"Honestly, at the beginning of the season, we didn't know what was going to happen," senior linebacker Tristen Koenig said. "We did not expect to be undefeated right now, but it's a goal you set to push yourself and strive to achieve those goals."

Quarterback Cael Welker had five first-half touchdown passes -- all to senior Jordan Kent -- and Jackson took a 49-0 lead into halftime and finished with 560 yards on offense. Kent, who has an offer from Southeast Missouri State, had touchdown catches of 13, 37, 6, 46 and 40 yards.

TYLER GRAEF ~ tgraef@semissourian.com

Jackson quarterback Cael Welker carries the ball against Hillsboro defenders during the Indians home game Friday.

"Me and Jordan go way back," Koenig said. "We're best friends all the way from grade school. It's amazing to see them connect the way they do. It's good when they take care of business on offense.

"It makes it a little easier on defense, gives us a little bit of momentum."

Jackson received the opening kickoff and then fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. With the rain coming down heavy, both teams struggled to hold onto the football early.

Hillsboro (4-4) had a chance to take the lead, driving inside the Jackson 10-yard line. The Hawks lost the ball, though, and Jackson's Randol McDowell recovered the fumble on the 5.

It was one of five fumbles Hillsboro lost on the night.

Given a second chance, the offense delivered. A 56-yard run by Daniel Dickerson set up a 26-yard Dimechi Herring touchdown run for a 7-0 Jackson lead.

TYLER GRAEF ~ tgraef@semissourian.com

Jackson quarterback Cael Welker pats wide receiver Jordan Kent on the head after the two connected for a touchdown during the Indians home game against Hillsboro Friday.

Hillsboro again drove inside the Jackson 10, but another fumble, this one forced and recovered by Cole Amelunke, ended that drive.

The offense then drove 95 yards in five plays, with a 66-yard Welker run leading to a 13-yard TD pass from the sophomore to Kent.

On the next drive, it was a 37-yard TD strike from Welker to Kent to give Jackson a 21-0 lead after a quarter.

The duo connected for touchdowns three more times in the second quarter, and Kent finished with 180 yards on eight receptions.

Welker was 11-of-13 passing for 210 yards.

"Cael threw it pretty well tonight, but Jordan's a really good target to get it to," Jackson coach Brent Eckley said. "That's just kind of them having the connection of where the open space is and Cael knowing where Jordan's going to go.

"And it's not just those guys. The other guys are the same thing. It just kind of depends on who we're focusing on. Jordan just had some opportunities tonight where we were able to get him the ball."

By the end of the second quarter, the backups on offense were in as quarterback Jake Smith scored on a 4-yard TD run.

The rout continued in the second half with a 67-yard Dickerson TD run early in the third quarter. The sophomore running back had a game-high 156 rushing yards on eight carries.

Even with backups in, the defense held strong and picked up its third shutout of the season while holding Hillsboro to 157 yards of offense.

"The past few years, the offense has kind of dominated here at Jackson," Koenig said. "This year, I'd like to say we're kind of a balanced team."

With the win, the Jackson senior class improved to 13-2 at The Pit over the last three seasons, and 12-1 during the regular season.

That home record was something Eckley discussed with his team before the game.

"I'm really proud of our guys for that," Eckley said. "They work their tails off and they deserve success."

The Indians are all but guaranteed at least one more home game in the playoffs, and possibly two, if they finish first in Class 5 District 1.

Jackson entered Friday atop the district standings and another win next week at Parkway Central could help the Indians secure that No. 1 seed in the district tournament.

"We have a chance to have two more games here, so I'm hoping that [will happen]," Kent said. "We have a great atmosphere, and I feel like we play better if it's at home."

First quarter

J -- Dimechi Herring 26 run (Matt Jaco kick), 8:35

J -- Jordan Kent 13 pass from Cael Welker (Jaco kick), 3:47

J -- Kent 37 pass from Welker (Jaco kick), 0:08

Second quarter

J -- Kent 6 pass from Welker (Jaco kick), 7:13

J -- Kent 46 pass from Welker (Jaco kick), 5:08

J -- Kent 40 pass from Welker (Jaco kick), 4:23

J -- Jake Smith 4 run (Jaco kick), 0:27

Third quarter

J -- Daniel Dickerson 67 run (Logan Bruns kick), 8:20

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Hillsboro, Dylan Dace 12-57, Hayden Voyles 15-40, Isaac Hamilton 4-30, #48 2-12, Konner Stoutt 1-5, Grant Johnson 1-5, Cody Smith 2-4, Ethan Eckrich 4-4, Brady Smith 2-0; Jackson, Daniel Dickerson 8-156, Cael Welker 3-82, Dimechi Herring 6-43, Luke Starzinger 11-38, Jake Smith 2-16, Jordan Kent 1-8, #29 3-8, Kannen Turley 1-5, Ryley Styer 1-(-2), Markiese Jones 2-(-4).

PASSING -- Hillsboro, Eckrich 0-2-0-0; Jackson, Welker 11-13-0-210.

RECEIVING -- Jackson, Kent 8-180, Rhet Liley 1-18, Daniel Dickerson 1-6, Michael Schneider 1-6.

Editor's note: In the lead photo, Jackson's Daniel Dickerson was incorrectly identified as Jordan Kent. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.