By Bill Hester ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian

ST. LOUIS -- It didn't take Van Hitt long to have his first major decision as Jackson's football coach.

Hitt took over the Jackson varsity job this season after 29 years as an assistant. His Indians scored a touchdown with 30 seconds to play Friday night to pull within one point of Riverview Gardens in the season opener for both teams.

Hitt did not hesitate to go for the win. Junior Cole Rodgers, who had scored the touchdown on a 9-yard run, came up 1 foot short on the 2-point conversion.

Riverview recovered the ensuing onside kick and won the game 32-31.

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