The Jackson County Central football team is seeking the second state championship in school history and first since 2001 this Friday. 

It’s a showdown between unbeaten 12-0 teams as JCC meets the Staples-Motley Cardinals in the Class AA Prep Bowl. 

JCC is 1-3 all-time in the title game with their last appearance in 2015 plus back-to-back trips in 1997 and 1998.  

Huskies head coach Tom Schuller says they worked year-round toward creating this opportunity and it’s only gotten more difficult as they get closer to their ultimate goal. 

FULL INTERVIEW: JCC FB coach pre Prep Bowl 

The Huskies are expecting to play without three starters in Roman Voss, Ben Gallagher, and Kasey Storm again on Friday. Grant Freking will make his second career start at quarterback after switching from wide receiver less than a month ago. Gage Johnson scored three rushing touchdowns during the semifinal and the top-ranked offense will be led by the run game once again. Ben Dahlin and Clay Malchow scored once on the ground while collecting nearly 200 all-purpose yards each last week. They both have at least one kick or punt return touchdown this season as well. The top-ranked defense will need to remain rock-solid and create another turnover or two. 

SEMIFINAL HIGHLIGHTS: JCC FB Semi HiLites PKG 

Staples-Motley previously got into the state bracket in 2004 but this is the first time they will play for the championship since 1988. The Cardinals didn’t win a game in 2022 but this season they advanced past several traditional powers under third-year head coach Drew Potter. 

Coach Schuller says several Cardinals in particular are standing out during their special season. 

Coverage of the Prep Bowl begins at around 3:30 p.m. with kickoff at 4:00 on KKOJ. 

 

There is an all-school pep fest at the high school at 8:45 a.m. Friday morning.

JCC is dismissing all schools in the district at approximately 11:30 a.m. with the fan bus leaving the high school at noon. 

Tickets for the game are available on the MSHSL website.