After last week's rally, Sikeston can't afford to fall behind against Jackson

SIKESTON -- Just two weeks into the season the Sikeston Bulldogs have shown that they have some grit and a determination to win.

Facing a 12-0 deficit against Kennett last Saturday and a heat index topping out over 100 degrees, the Bulldogs not only found a way to rally back but they dominated the second half to win 22-12.

Sikeston coach Kent Gibbs is hoping that his team can keep the momentum going on Friday night when they host Jackson at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.

Sikeston (2-0) proved that it has a second half surge, but Gibbs says the Bulldogs can't afford to fall behind against Jackson.

"We just started out so slow and Kennett was playing well and the second half we just did a lot better job," Gibbs said. "We've got to learn that we can't start ballgames that way. If we start ballgames that way with the folks we've got on our schedule then it won't turn out very good for us most of the time. Hopefully we'll learn from that experience and we'll be ready from the get-go."

Jackson has posted victories in its first two games, defeating Hickman 42-7 and Lindbergh 49-19. The Indians have averaged 472 yards per game with 286 coming on the ground.

"They're always well-coached and going to be fundamentally sound in everything they do -- all three phases," Gibbs said. "They're fast-paced on offense. They're going to try to get as many plays as they can in a short amount of time. They're smaller this year but they're a lot quicker than they've been. They try to get their playmakers in one-on-one positions."

Jackson is led by running back Bryndan Reid, who leads the team with 231 yards rushing on 24 carries, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry. He's scored five rushing touchdowns with his longest from 72 yards and he's also caught a reception for a touchdown.

Jackson's Bryndan Reid carries the ball around Hickman's Andrew Paten during the first quarter Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in Jackson. (Fred Lynch, Southeast Missourian)

Jackson's Bryndan Reid carries the ball around Hickman's Andrew Paten during the first quarter Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in Jackson. (Fred Lynch, Southeast Missourian)

Quarterback Cooper Callis has thrown for 371 yards, completing 26 of 43 passes (60 percent) with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

"Their running back does a real nice job of breaking tackles and getting himself into the end zone," Gibbs said. "The quarterback does a nice job of putting the ball on the money."

Ethan Laster follows up with 157 yards rushing while Quentin Kent is Callis' top receiver, catching 11 passes for 182 yards.

The Jackson series has not gone well for Sikeston the last few years with the Indians winning the last three games by a combined score of 132-0. Sikeston last defeated the Indians 26-17 in 2012.

The last time Jackson visited SPS Stadium two years ago, Sikeston unveiled the double-wing, double-tight offense for the first time, keeping the game surprisingly close (7-0) by halftime against the heavily favored Indians before the visitors pulled away with a big second half.

Last year the Indians raced out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and were never challenged in a 41-0 victory in what was the 100th meeting between the two schools.

"We felt like last year we went up there and had a pretty good shot at making it a good ballgame, but it was like we were intimidated early, we didn't do much and we got behind and we just never recovered from it, so it was a very disappointing effort," Gibbs said. "Hopefully this year we'll have a better effort from the get-go, a little bit more mentally into it, and running to the football, doing the things that we do on defense and executing on offense."

Executing on offense is something that the Bulldogs have not done well against the Indians recently, failing to score for 12 straight quarters.

"I think the biggest challenge is just us mentally, just thinking that we can compete with them," Gibbs said.

After two games this season, Sikeston is averaging 37 points per game. Justus Faulkner leads the rushing charge with 157 yards while Phayzun Fobbs follows up with 149 yards.

Sikeston has not gotten its passing game on track yet, although sophomore Nate Self threw his first career touchdown pass last week against Kennett after taking over under center in the second half in an effort to rest regular starter Dre Johnson on the hot Saturday.

"I think the second biggest challenge is the pace of their offense and how they go about it and the precision with which they do it because they're not going to make mistakes," Gibbs said. "You're going to have to make your breaks on defense by being in the right spots at the right time. Maybe you make a big hit, you get a deflected pass, maybe you get a fumble. Those are the kinds of things we're going to have to do to make this thing a ballgame. We need some turnovers."

Sikeston leads the all-time series with Jackson 56-38-6.