Jonesboro-Hodge linebacker, Xavier Atkins, has been named “Impact Player of the Week” by the panel from the K104 Downs Law Friday Night Scoreboard Show. By virtue of his 17 tackles, 2 for loss, a forced fumble and a sack in the Tigers 28-18 second round playoff victory over Mangham, Atkins was chosen over 12 others being considered.

Atkins not only had a big game last week but has had a season for the ages. The sensational sophomore has obliterated school records for total tackles (195), solo stops (166) and tackles per game (17.7). More impressivley the 6’1″ 185 pounder leads the entire state, regardless of classification in all three of the those categories and is second in the nation, just six behind the leader, in solo stops and seventh in overall tackles.

Those totals will continue to climb after Jonesboro-Hodge defeated Franklin this past Friday to advance the Tigers to the Class AA semi-finals for the first time since 1990 where they will travel to #6 Amite.