More on Jackson football -- and prep football in general

I believe so, and I would believe the same thing if Eureka had put the winning points on the board in its final drive.

The teams were evenly matched in a game that lived up to the hype between two state-ranked and previously unbeaten teams.

If Jackson had the better of the play, it was in part because Eureka turned the ball over on fumbles twice in the first period -- Jackson gave it back once with an interception -- and the Wildcats also made an error when a kick returner stepped out of bounds on the 6-yard line on the opening kickoff, setting up Jackson's first score.

The Indians had more scoring opportunities, trying a fake field goal in the first quarter and driving in the fourth period to set up another field goal, which was blocked.

Jackson reported 164 yards rushing and 87 yards passing (including two completions for -15 yards) for 251 total yards; Eureka reported to www.stltoday.com that it had 87 yards rushing and 127 yards passing for 214 total yards.

Eureka had more than half of its yards on two plays -- a 50-yard run that set up a touchdown late in the first half and the 64-yard touchown pass that gave it the 20-14 lead.

Eureka had just six first downs; Jackson had eight in the first half and 11 for the game.

For those who want a larger breakdown of the game, check out this Weblog within this Weblog entry.

Here's some more essential information:

* Those who want to order DVDs from the memorable Jackson-Eureka football game to keep the memories may contact me at tcarrig@semissourian.com. The DVDs, a 30-minute-plus compilation of the video clips here at Semoball.com in higher resolution, are being sold for $20.

* Those who want to see the new state polls -- Jackson rose to No. 2 in Class 5; Hayti remained No. 3 in Class 1 -- can click here.

* The high school football statistics for Southeast Missouri for Week 8 feature some new additions as the fine folks at East Prairie passed along their stats, including 1,000-yard rusher M.C. Williams.

Williams, with 1,018 yards, is one three 1,000-yard rushers along with Jackson's Adam Zweigart (1,130 yards) and New Madrid County Central's Lennies McFerren III (1,090 yards in seven games).

Hayti's Jerome Covington (732 yards) scored a TD on Friday night and has 16 for the year. He s the area's first 100-point scorer.

Dexter quarterback Benjamin Mills became the first to surpass 1,000 yards in passing, Mills also has the best completion percentage (68.5) and a TD-interception ratio of 14-5. His primary receiver, Bobby Rawson, has 33 catches for 457 yards.

New Madrid County also recently provided its defensive numbers and has the sack leader in L.T. Sutton (13) and the interception leader in Courtney Rowe (8).

You can see the area's statistical leaders by clicking here.

* The photo gallery from the Central-Jackson football game also now is on Semoball.com for those who want to see the action pictures and crowd shots. Contact photographer Kit Doyle at the Southeast Missourian (573-335-6611) about ordering reprints.

Back to the football info:

Jackson's health.

* I reported in this Southeast Missourian story earlier in the week that Zweigart did not suffer a fracture in his arm as he speculated after the game.

Zweigart, according to Jackson coach Carl Gross, told trainers he felt fine during the game. He played the second half with a wrap around the left forearm and struggled in the second half.

In speaking with his dad earlier this week about the injury, Zweigart also was battling a fever and flu-like symptoms that popped up two days before the game.

Added Gary Zweigart on the price of admission to the Jackson-Eureka game: "That was the best $3 I've ever spent."

Adam Zweigart is expected to play on Friday at Parkway West.

Adam Collier played despite a shoulder injury that had Gross not knowing throughout the week if the defensive tackle would play. He conrtributed eight tackles and an athletic interception in the third period.

* Linebacker Tyler Martin was in on a couple of special teams plays and Gross said he may have a larger contribution as the season progresses.

* Fullback Andy Winkleblack suffered a hand injury in Friday's game, Gross said.

Winkleblack carried four times Friday night. At 5-foot-10, 250 pounds, Winkleblack was the player whose size got some reaction from Eureka's coaches above the press box during pregame introductions.

(One of those coaches joked with a Jackson staff member during the pregame ceremonies, that includes the ceremonial dance from the Indian princesses: "I thought you guys were switching to the Redhawks, too.")

Playing Parkway West

There seems to be some doubt that 6-foot-5 senior and Division I prospect Blaine Gabbert would return to the Longhorns this season after suffering a shoulder injury back in September.

A source Poplar Bluff warns that the Indians may have to be on their best behavior to win Friday night at Parkway West, which has an ability to draw penalties.

The Mules opened the season with 31-14 loss at Parkway West and were penalized a season-high nine times for 82 yards. The Mules picked up a 15-yard penalty that wiped out a Poplar Bluff first-down on a pass interference penalty.

Cape Central news

Kicker, punter, linebacker and leading receiver Tyler McNabb returned to school this week after a suspension and is expected to return to the lineup on Friday night.

It is doubtful that senior linebacker and fullback Joe Uhls will be in the lineup this week. He missed last week's 35-0 loss at Poplar Bluff, while McNabb has been out two weeks.

Central plays at West Plains this week and hosts Sikeston next Thursday in the final regular-season game.

Hayti news

Freshman running back Anton Jones was out of the lineup last week in the win against Portageville.

Defensive lineman Cody Chandler (64 tackles and a team-leading six sacks) injured his knee during the first half of that game Friday). Hayti coaches were waiting on results of an MRI as of Thursday, hopeful that it is not a torn ACL.

Hayti fans should check out this story from the Columbia Missourian on Mizzou defensive back William Moore. (If ever a story needed an audio clap of rap stylings of Willy-Mo, and his rapping mate Leo Lyons, who most surely does not go by the name MC Leo.)

Scott City news

Senior running back Chris Blankenship carried just three times -- for 46 yards -- on Friday night in an easy win against Grandview in his return after missing the previous week's game with an ankle injury. Blankenship did not play defense and was limited in his time to avoid further aggravation after tweaking the ankle.

The Rams will play Friday night at Crystal City (7-1), which lost its conference showdown to Maplewood-Richmond Heights in Week 7 and slipped by 1-7 Festus St. Pius 21-14 last week.

"The big thing is they're a well-rounded team and they put a lot of stock in running the ball, and rightly so," Scott City coach Ronnie Jones said. "That's not to say they can't throw the ball, but our main concern is slowing down their running game. They're not going to make a whole lot of mistakes."

Crystal completed one pass last week for its decisive touchdown. Demetrius Terry, a Class 2 state sprinting champion, has 1,498 yards rushing and D.J. Sullivan has 841 yards.

Jones is hoping for good weather. "We don't want the game to be decided because someone slipped and fell."

Who'll win the Carr Trophy?

Jackson's Zweigart and Matt Lang improved their standing in the Carr Trophy race last week.

The award is given to the SEMO Conference's top player during the annual Poplar Bluff Gridiron Banquet.

Someone asked me recently who selects the winner. A committee discusses the nominees and votes on the winners. They'll have a tough task this year.