Jackson Football opens fall practices

JACKSON, Mo. (KFVS) - Year in, year out, Jackson Football puts a great team together.

This year seems to be no exception for the Indians. After a state quarterfinal appearance in 2024, Jackson returns plenty of players in its skill positions, but also in the trenches.

Brysen Wessell and Brayden Harris are the cornerstone pieces of a brick wall of an offensive line. Wessell, an Iowa State commit is set to start on the left for his senior year, with Harris, a junior with offers from Kansas State and Washington State among others, set to start on the right. Both expect the line to be great this fall.

“Yeah, I think we’re gonna be great. We’re always great,” Harris said. “We put in a lot of work this offseason, so it’ll show up.”

Wessell agreed.

“I feel like [you should] definitely expect a lot out of us. I feel like we’re a great unit up front,” Wessell said. “Obviously, we’ve got me and Brayden on the tackle positions, and our interior’s new, but they’re looking good as the days go on, so definitely expect big for sure.”

Behind the line, Drew Parson, a SEMO baseball commit, returns for his senior year. Parsons, a pitcher in baseball, has the arm talent in football, but it’s his rushing ability that opens room for Jaylon Hampton, the Indians’ junior running back.

“Me and Drew, we have a really good relationship. So both of us in the backfield, it’s a blessing,” Hampton said. “Not all of the focus is on me because the defenses have to worry about him too.”

Hampton has recorded more than 2,000 yards and 40 touchdowns over the first half of his high school career. And the danger he poses on the outside, being an elusive, speedy back, gives Parsons more room himself to run.

“He’s the best there is in the state,” Parsons said. “He’s a dog. With him, it’s just like--it makes it easy. It makes it easier to throw the ball all day with linebackers and safeties having to run fit off of him because he’s that good.”

The Indians will immediately face a Goliath of an opponent to start the season. Week 1, they host Cardinal Ritter in The Pit.

The Lions were thorough in their victory against Jackson last season, dispatching the Indians 44-7 in St. Louis.

Coming into this year, Jackson’s keenly aware of the challenge Ritter poses, even with possibly the state’s best homefield advantage.

“They were a good football team. We knew that going in. They just flat beat us,” Jackson Football Head Coach Ryan Nesbitt said. “And so this year we’re excited about the opportunity to compete and excited to grow.”

“It was a humbling experience, most definitely, but they’re a really good football team, so I’m excited to compete against them,” Hampton added.

For a full look at Jackson’s schedule, click here.