Jonesboro-Hodge High School travels to Springhill, LA this Friday night to take on Class 3A North Webster in hopes of winning their fourth game in five starts and continuing their longest winning streak in three years.  The start to the season is the best since 2009 but in head coach Terrance Blankenship’s mind, this week will go along way in determing just how good the Tigers are this year. 

“North Webster is a very good team and we are going to have our work cut out for us to come away from their place with a win,” said Blankenship. “I look at this game as a good “acid test” to let us know just how good we are.”

According to the unofficial power rankings issued by GeauxPreps.com the Tigers are the 13th ranked team in Class AA. This is six spots lower than the week before despite their 47-26 convincing victory over Logansport, who by being in Class A and winless on the year, actually cost JHHS points with the way Power Rankings are tabulated. 

Meanwhile, North Webster sits at #20 in Class 3A after losing to a strong Jena team 27-13  for thier second straight loss after opening the season by soundly whipping Haynesville 34-7 and North Caddo 53-30. It is the victory over North Caddo that raises Blankenship’s eyebrows and gives him the most concern. 

“North Caddo has won our district the last two years and was picked to do it again before the season,” reflected Blankenship. “I know that they are a good team, so for North Webster to beat them the way they did is impressive.”

Blankenship also knows that a major key to the contest will be how well his ever improving offensive and defensive front can hold up against what will be the biggest team they have faced to date. North Webster has over a dozen linemen who tip the scales at over 250 pounds including an offensive power package that can go almost 300 pounds across the front. 

“Our skill players have carried us so far but this week the guys up front are going to have to win their battles if we are going to have a chance, “said Blankenship. “If we allow North Webster to control the line we are going to be in for a long night.”

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JHHS Individual statistical leaders after four games:

Offense:

(Passing) Tydre Malone: 39-65-566 yds, 6 TD’s, 1 INT
(Rushing) Brantrel Thompson: 30-241 yds, 3 TD’s; Tydre Malone: 23-79, 3 TD’s; Ed Drayton 11-53, 1 TD
(Receiving) Devontae Mozee: 9-217yds, 6 TD’s; Jay Lewis: 9-187; Justin Calahan: 9-87, Chase Leonard 8-76

Defense:

(Total tackles) Xavier Atkins 56; Peyton Smith 25; Javion Andrews 18; Jay Lewis 15, Devontae Mozee 12
(Sacks) Xavier Atkins 3, Javion Andrews 1
(Interceptions) Devontae Mozee 2 (2 TD’s), Justin Calahan 1 (1 TD), Jay Lewis 1, 
(Forced Fumbles) Javion Andrews 2, Xavier Atkins 1, Peyton Smith 1, Jay Lewis 1
(Fumble Recovery) Xavier Atkins 2, Javion Andrews 2, Ed Drayton 1

How to get to game: (estimated driving time) 1 hour 39 minutes

According to Google Maps :

Take Hwy 147 to Arcadia
Take I-20 West to Dixie Inn
Take Hwy 371 North (exit 44) to Springhill 
Take South Arkansas Street – Address of school: 101 South Arkansas Street, Springhill, LA