KANSAS CITY — The Central Indians are finally going back to the playoffs.

Central defeated Park Hill 24-6 on Friday night at Park Hill District Stadium to clinch second place in Class 5 District 12. It’s the first time the Indians have been to the postseason since 1995.

“We knew there were playoffs on the line, and we came out and played as a team,” said senior running back Corey Jackson, who rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown.

And the Indians did it with their backup quarterback.

Senior quarterback Darrin Dudley stood on the sidelines wearing a black hoody, unable to play the test because he failed his ImPACT test earlier this week which determined he could not return to action this week after suffering a concussion against Staley last Friday night.

Second-year coach Jeff Wallace turned to sophomore quarterback Jacob Kaiser to lead the Indians against the team that’s eliminated Central the previous three seasons. Kaiser only attempted four passes and completed two of them including a 35-yard touchdown pass to junior Nick Shores on third-and-22 on the first drive of the second half.

Shores’ first career touchdown set the tone for the rest of the game after the Indians chewed up 6 minutes, 30 seconds traveling 75 yards down the field.

“We had two seams up the middle, and I saw the safety out of the way so I just threw it in there,” Kaiser said. “Coach told me to just rely on my offensive line.”

That’s exactly what Wallace wanted out of his sophomore signal caller.

“I wanted Jacob Kaiser to be a game manager today and give one of the best running backs in the state 30-40 touches,” Wallace said. “Jacob did a nice job tonight.”

That’s also why Jackson received a heavy load of touches. He rushed the ball 30 times for 153 yards and scored Central’s first touchdown on a wildcat formation play to give the Indians an early 10-0 lead.

Park Hill’s 6-foot-3, 320-pound nose tackle nose tackle Ondre Pipkins rudely introduced himself to Jackson, suplexing him to the ground on Central’s first play from scrimmage. Jackson’s shoulder appeared to be injured on the play, but he returned shortly after a visit to the team’s athletic trainer.

“That hurt, but he’s a great player,” Jackson said of Pipkins, who’s commited to play at Michigan. “That’s what I told him after the game when we talked.”

Central senior defensive back Dre Irvin put the game out of reach for the Trojans when he picked off quarterback Tyler White and returned it for his second defensive touchdown of the season.

“I knew he was going to run the boot leg,” Irvin said, “and I saw (Tyrese Huskey) down there guarding him so I sagged off. And he threw it away, and there was no one down the sideline so I just took it all the way.”

Irvin’s pick-six gave Central a 24-6 lead, and the Indians used Jackson’s rushing ability to salt the game away and earn its trip to the playoffs.

Senior offensive guard Mike Meinert has seen the lows and loss after loss with a chance to make the state playoffs.

His father, Matt Meinert, has been coaching at Central for Mike’s entire life, and he often served as ball boy for those heartbreaking defeats the Indians suffered between their last trip to the playoffs in 1995 and now. Mike Meinert said he remembers those experiences.

“It feels great. We came out and took care of business tonight,” Meinert said. “It’s so good to be able to get back to work (today).”

Central plays Raytown South (6-4) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Raytown’s Chittwood Stadium. The winner will face Staley, who receives a first-round bye for winning District 12.

According to Wallace, Dudley could play Wednesday if he passes his next ImPACT test Monday.

Andrew DeWitt can be reached at andrew.dewitt@newspressnow.com