House rocks the Bowl, ruins J'ville Homecoming
Tribe faces a mustwin situation
LARRY KRANTZ

JACKSONVILLE - The math equation is getting easier.

After losses to Marshall and Whitehouse, the Jacksonville Indians need a win this week in Kilgore to stay in the playoff picture.

Of course, they'll need more than that, but at this point, it's sensible to take it one week at

a time.

Jacksonville has been outscored 103-17 so far in District 12- 4A play, but to be fair, the Indians have played arguably the top two teams in the district.

And, believe it or not, there were some bright spots for Jacksonville in last Friday's 48-3 loss to Whitehouse.

After totaling a combined zero yards in its most recent first quarters against Palestine and Marshall heading into the Whitehouse game, the Indians had two scoring chances right off the bat.

The first, following a Whitehouse brash fourth-and-1 rushing attempt deep in its own territory that didn't pan out, led to a blocked field goal.

The second saw the Indians drive 40 yards in eight plays - all the way to the Whitehouse 1 - before a pair of fumbles set up a 22-yard field goal for Brent Colvin.

Jacksonville receiver Jimmy Gray rushes for extra yardage after making a reception during the Indians' 48-3 loss against the Whitehouse Wildcats Friday night. The loss happened during Jacksonville's Homecoming and forces the Tribe into a must-win situation to stay in the playoff race.

At that point, Jacksonville could have easily had 10 points - and the lead, I might add - but its youth and inexperience got in the way.

Part of that inexperience was necessity, with Kyle Stacy getting his first varsity start at quarterback after splitting time with Paxton Lindsey.

Once Whitehouse started scoring on fumble recoveries, though, they were going to be tough to catch.

Clearly, this season isn't going to go down in Jacksonville text books as the way to win at football, but it could serve as the foundation for next season, and seasons to come under head coach Randy Copeland's new passing-oriented offense.

Lindsey, a junior, was efficient, completing 13 of 19 passes for 134 yards without an interception - a first for Jacksonville this season.

Jimere Palmer (22) and Jeremy Chappelle (15) take down a Whitehouse ball carrier during Jacksonville's 48-3 loss to Whitehouse. The loss drops Jacksonville to 1-4 on the season, 0-2 in district.

His favorite receiver, Kelvin Hall, caught a career-high eight passes for 108 yards, including a 36-yarder that spared what turned into another missed scoring opportunity for Jacksonville in the second quarter.

Three plays later, running back Chris Hall fumbled after gaining enough yardage to convert a third-and-3 situation, then struggled on for more yards.

The Whitehouse defenders stripped him of the ball inside the Wildcats' 10-yard line.

At that point, it was 28-3 after the fumble return, the blocked field goal, the pair of fumbles near the goal line, and three Brady Attaway touchdown passes for Whitehouse.

It could have just as easily been 21-17 at the half.

The Indians had two more scoring chances in the second half, but both ended with dropped passes in the end zone.

The first, intended for Kelvin Hall, came on the end of a flea-flicker play with receiver Clint Copeland passing the ball on a fake sweep.

Homecoming Queen Annie Boseman is hugged by Ashley McAnally, who was last year's Homecoming queen. Ryan Moreland escorted Ms. Boseman. PHOTOS: MIKE CUMMINGS

Hall was wide open.

It was just that kind of night.

Later in that same drive, Hall had another pass thrown to him in the end zone on fourth-and-11 from the Whitehouse 30, but it would have been a much tougher catch.

Whitehouse, to its credit, kept the ball on long drives, eating away yards and the clock.

Attaway finished with five touchdown passes - par for the flashy Wildcats quarterback - and 144 rushing yards - unusual for the passoriented team.

As for Kilgore, the Bulldogs are 3-2 overall and 1-1 in district after losing at Nacogdoches, 21-7. Coincidentally, Nac's knockout punch came as a result of a fumble returned for a touchdown.

Kilgore's tandem running backs, Hakeem Colbert and Frank Reddic combined for a mere 76 rushing yards and were held scoreless.

Jacksonville takes on Kilgore at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Kilgore.