Semoball

Jackson Football Notes: Indians aren't at home, which is too bad

The football fans at "The Pit" at Jackson High School cheer on the Indians during their recent MSHSAA Class 5 quarterfinal win over Eureka.
Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian

The fact that No. 6-ranked Staley (10-2) gets to host No. 2-ranked Jackson (12-0) in today’s MSHSAA Class 5 football state semifinal gives the Falcons somewhat of an advantage as opposed to having to travel to “The Pit” in Jackson.

That is due to the fact the Indian athletes simply don’t know how to lose a game at home.

“I need to mention it to our seniors,” veteran Jackson coach Brent Eckley said following his team’s final home game last week, “they made it through their junior and senior years without losing a game at home.”

He shouldn’t have sold the senior class short. The group didn’t lose a home game during their sophomore season either.

The last time Jackson lost a game at “The Pit” was over three years ago (Nov. 4, 2016) in a 49-14 District 1 Final championship game to Vianney.

The current seniors were only freshmen then and more than likely didn’t see much if any, action.

Jackson starts 13 players this fall that weren’t even in high school at that point, so they truly don’t know what it is like to lose a game in front of the always-raucous crowd.

“That is awesome for the seniors,” Eckley said.

Calling an audible

In last week’s 29-14 quarterfinal win over Eureka, the Wildcats were trying to slow the Jackson passing attack by dropping a horde of defenders into coverage post-snap.

“They were a ‘three-down’ defense, so they can drop eight,” Eckley explained. “The passing windows were kind of tight and that makes it kind of tough.”

The strategy worked initially.

Indian junior quarterback Cael Welker hit junior wide receivers Rhet Liley and Ty Moran with early passes, but Eureka stopped the Indian drives on Jackson's first two offensive series.

Eckley altered his plan and had Welker begin to carry the ball against that three-man front and it worked.

“We thought the more things we could do,” Eckley said, “show them pass to get them to bail out, then we’d get the advantage.”

Welker ultimately carried the ball an inordinate 25 times for 160 yards, but he also threw for 176, so the Indian attack finished the game being very balanced.

“With him running it,” Eckley said, “we could get plus-one (in match-ups). They couldn’t account for him.

“He did a nice job with it and our offensive line did a really nice job.”

Staley is prepared

Both of these programs have advanced to this point before, with the difference being the Falcons have won state titles, while Jackson still aspires to do so for the first time.

“Staley has been there before,” Eckley said. “They are a pretty disciplined defense and overall team-wise.”

Staley won the state title in 2017 and 2011.

The Falcons have two losses this season, but one of those was to a Liberty North squad that finished 11-1.

“Staley played a horrific schedule,” Eckley said. “In losing a couple of games, they played some really tough teams.

“They will certainly be seasoned and they won’t be afraid of us.”

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