In the second quarter of what is the biggest football rivalry in Southeast Missouri, Jackson football senior star wide receiver Jory Thoma made the catch of a lifetime.
Thoma, who hauled in three touchdown catches for a 44-3 blowout of Cape Central (3-4, 1-3 SEMO), had one of his scores showcased on ESPN.
The play came in the second quarter when junior quarterback Tyler Fischer heaved a pass to Thoma right near the endzone as Jory secured the ball with a one-handed catch between his legs for the score.
Thankfully for Thoma, this play was filmed close up by Luke Randle of KFVS, which he posted to social media later that night.
Not only was this play one Thoma will likely remember for the rest of his days, but it was also crucial for the Indians to gain momentum in a somewhat close first half.
Thoma’s touchdown catch gave Jackson (7-0, 4-0) a 21-3 lead over the Tigers with two minutes, 28 seconds to go in the first half of action.
Thoma also scored the first touchdown of the game as Fischer pitched him the ball on the very first drive for a 20-yard score.
Cape was able to answer with a field goal on the ensuing drive for the team’s lone score of the night.
Fischer hooked up with Thoma for the third and final time on another 20-yard score to take a 28-3 lead, while junior Gage Parker scored back-to-back touchdown runs to put the game away.
Defensively for the Indians, junior inside linebacker Grant Alspaugh made his name known with two sacks and multiple, momentum-switching big hits.
Senior defensive tackle Cameron Caldwell also caused havoc with a sack and several tackles for a loss.
This win captured Jackson its ninth consecutive SEMO North Conference Championship as the Indians will travel to Hannibal (3-4) this Friday night.
Lastly, the Indians will host Cardinal Ritter (3-4) next week, hoping to record a second-straight undefeated regular season.
