It’s the dawn of a new and exciting campaign for the Jackson Indians, and it’s headered by another trip into unfriendly territory.

As has become tradition, it’ll start with a test against a mighty St. Louis foe, now three consecutive years as the Indians travel north to Cardinal Ritter.

Ranked among the best teams in the state, the Lions of CRCP are no slouch, emphasized by their 30-point victory in the semifinals against a streaking Cape Central last fall.

Returning most of that stellar offensive cast that made the Lions such an undeniable force en route to a second consecutive state championship in Class 5, it’s at the top of Jackson’s schedule in more ways than one.

Jackson’s danced with the best of them more than once, but against a team that coach Ryan Nesbitt confidently tabbed “the best in the state,” it’s a different animal in Week 1.

The Indians are coming off back-to-back years playing against fearsome foes out of the St. Louis area, losing two games against Edwardsville in a home-and-home season-opening series in 2022 and 2023.

But above all else, Jackson has shown that it can hang in both of these matchups. Entering Week 1 against the Tigers as a three-score underdog in 2023, it took until the final minute for Edwardsville to pull away.

Shaking off a 30-21 loss in Week 1, Jackson rattled off 10 consecutive victories on its way to one of its best seasons in recent memory and a deep run into the Class 6 quarterfinals.

Now, it’ll look to continue that streak against a shooting boulder that’s rolled off 28 consecutive victories across the past two seasons.

Led by the 1-2 punch of Carson Boyd and Jamarion Parker, both getting power-4 looks – the former crystal-balled to Illinois and the latter committed to Nebraska – the Ritter offense is a tedious force to stop.

Quarterbacking the Lions, Boyd’s fresh off a junior year that saw him take home MFCA Offensive Player of the Year honors for MSHSAA’s Class 5.

Parker, along with wideout Dejarrian Miller, gives the now-senior a variety of first-team all-state options to keep the ball moving against Jackson in the August 30 season opener.

Against a Jackson defense that is little more than young, though athletic, there’s going to be a learning curve right away as the Indians fight to start the season off on the right foot.

Ranked amongst the state's top 10 in the preseason cycle, Jackson has a reputation of its own entering the season, however, and it’ll come down to the offensive efforts of the Indians in this one.

Now a junior, Drew Parsons looks to take the lessons of yesteryear and apply them to his season-opening tilt against the Lions looking to avoid a third consecutive season-opening loss.

In his second career start with the Tribe, Parsons threw four interceptions against Christian Brothers in a disheartening 35-23 loss that didn’t turn sour until a breakout Cadet third quarter.

Heading into his penultimate season with the program, still with many games to go donning the dreamcatcher helmet, there’s a new air about this young, fresh and fast Jackson squad.

Parsons reflected on that loss, largely citing how important it was to his growth as he rose from a sophomore to a junior, getting not only practice reps for 2024 but also invaluable experience.

Against a tough, well-decorated Ritter defense, it’ll take a full team effort to keep Jackson in the ballgame, and it’ll trickle down to Jackson’s tested offensive line and the sophomore sensation to keep the pace.

Jaylon Hampton’s freshman year was little short of a mind-boggling success, rushing for well over 1,000 yards while finishing with nearly 1,500 all-purpose yards as one of many options in 2023.

Now in Year 2 with the program, and playing behind what very likely could be one of the best Jackson blocking units we’ve seen in a while, Hampton is pushing for a sophomore surge in the new No. 3 jersey.

Led by junior Brysen Wessell at the left tackle, standing at a ridiculous 6-foot-5, with the 6-foot-6 Brayden Harris opposite him looking to break out as a sophomore, the line is as tall and physical as ever.

Facing off against a Ritter front that caused havoc last season as the Lions easily pushed to a 38-25 win over Republic in the state title game, that line will be essential on Friday.

Though young on the edges, a veteran interior line should help give Jackson the boost it needs to hold off Ritter as Parsons looks to build that comfort in his new-look offense.

With Cardinal Ritter entering the matchup as a two, nearly three-score favorite on home turf against the Indians just a few blocks removed from downtown St. Louis, there’s no doubt it’ll be a gruesome test for Jackson.

But reminiscent of 2023’s matchup with Francis Howell, when Jackson unseated last year’s reigning Class 5 state champion in the Vikings at “The Pit,” nothing is set in stone just yet.

Against all odds, that’s where the Kids from the Boot have thrived best, and that’ll make its way to the “The Lou” on Friday night.