Before the home opener at Caldwell-Peacock Stadium began everywhere West Ouachita looked was a sea of players and people clad in red. By games end it was Jonesboro-Hodge seeing red. That was because of the 28-6 defeat at the hands of the Chiefs, who scored three times in the second half on short drives that broke a 6-6 halftime deadlock.
The contest was dubbed the “Red Out” game in honor of Lajavion Nichols, who would have been a senior at JHHS this year but tragically lost his life along with two others in a horrific auto accident last summer. The rebuilding Tigers honored their fallen teammate by playing inspired ball throughout the contest and even took their first lead of the season.
“I was pleased at the effort we gave, especially in the first half,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “I thought we grew as a team, but we still have a long way to go before we are where we need to be.”
JHHS brought the local fans to their feet and grabbed a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when Symeon Malone connected with Xavier Atkins streaking down the right sideline for a 78-yard score. The lengthy touchdown marked the 8th longest pass and catch for a score in Tiger history.
Malone, who quarterbacked the Junior Varsity team last season, entered the contest on the Tigers second possession of the game. The move to rotate Malone with Dakota Knox was planned prior to the contest by the Tiger coaching staff.
“It was nothing against Dakota,” said Blankenship about the Freshman, who got the opportunity to start the West Ouachita game following his performance in week one. “He moved the team well on the first drive, but Symeon offers a different skill set and we wanted to see how that would benefit us.”
Immediate returns! Following an incompletion on his first pass of the year, Malone demonstrated his strong arm by lofting a beautiful spiral downfield from the JH 22-yard line. Atkins, better known for his defensive prowess but starting to prove that he can also be an offensive threat, ran under the bomb just past midfield, fought off a defender and sprinted the final 40 yards to paydirt.
It looked like the Tigers would take the six-point advantage into the half but failure to convert a 4th and inches from their own 48-yard line, with just 1:32 left in the second quarter, set the stage for West Ouachita to go into the half tied. Expecting the Tigers massive offensive line that averages 305 lbs. across to clear the way, Knox attempted a quarterback sneak but was stood up for no gain.
“Not making that first down was disappointing,” reflected Blankenship. “We should be able to convert that.”
Momentum shift! Taking over at the JH 48 yard line the Chiefs immediately capitalized on their best field position of the game up to that point by bursting out a 46 yard gain. Seconds later, a two yard run put the Chiefs on the board with just :47 ticks left on the clock. The score fueled new-found momentum for the Chiefs coming out of the break leading to a 72-yard second half kickoff return that gave West Ouachita a first down at the Tigers 18-yard line. Two plays later the Tigers were down 12-6.
“The final minute of the first half and first minute of the second was really the difference in the game,” said Blankenship. “We had basically controlled the game up to that point.”
West Ouachita stretched the advantage to 20-6 with 11:00 left to play after forcing a Tiger punt from the shadow of their own goal posts that gave the Chiefs prime field position at the Tiger 38-yard line. The JHHS defense stood tall to force a fourth down but couldn’t get the Chiefs off the field, instead allowing a 33 yard pass to paydirt. The final Chief score came after another failed fourth down attempt by the Tiger offense gave West Ouachita the ball at the JHHS 40 yard line. Six runs later the icing on West Ouachita’s cake was applied.
“We weren’t in the best position to go for it being it was fourth and ten but with the clock winding down and us needing two scores, we really didn’t have a choice.” reasoned Blankenship.
The pregame prognosis was that the contest would be a defensive battle and it was. Jonesboro-Hodge had 201 yards of total offense with 126 yards coming through the air and only 75 yards in 27 attempts managed on the ground. West Ouachita didn’t fare much better, totaling 214 yards in 45 plays. Xavier Atkins led the Tigers with 14 tackles, 1 assist and 1 tackle for a loss. Peyton Smith also had a big night with 5 tackles and 3 assists. Cartavious “Hambone” Waters recovered a fumble.
First Families of JHHS Football recognized! During halftime of the contest family members of the Stringer, Williams and Cowans family were honored as a “First Family of JHHS Football” which is a recognition program of former Tiger players sponsored by the Jackson Parish Journal.
Those honored were former Jackson HIgh and Rundell Jr. High coach Willie Stringer, Cedric Stringer, Pete Stringer, Tave Stringer, Scott Stringer, Donald Williams, Robert Williams, Oshay Cowans and Terry Cowans.
To see a video clip of the presentation click here.
Tigers treated to pregame meal! Showing their support for the JHHS football program, the Tigers were treated to a pregame meal by Jonesboro Chief of Police, James “Spike” Harris, Jonesboro Board of Aldermen members, Nia-Evans Johnson and Pete Stringer and former Jonesboro Mayor, James Bradford.
“Our players really appreciated these three feeding them before the game,” said Blankenship. “We feel blessed to have our community support us the way they do.”
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Jonesboro-Hodge (0-2) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| West Ouachita (2-0) | 0 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 28 |
Scoring:
1st: JHHS – Malone pass to Atkins for 78 yards (XP no good)
2nd: WOHS – 2 yard run (XP no good)
4th: WOHS – 33 yard pass ( 2 point conversion)
4th: WOHS – 6 yard run (2 point conversion)
JHHS Individual Statistics:
Passing:
Symeon Malone 4-11-78yds 1 TD
Dakota Knox 7-13-48 yds
Rushing:
Ed’Tavous Drayton 9-28
Jason Blackburn 7-29
Chance Leonard 5-18
Symeon Malone 3-2
Dakota Knox 3- (-2)
Receiving:
Omarrion Jackson 6-17
Ed’Tavous Drayton 2-9
Xavier Atkins 1-78 1 TD
Zion Gray 1-12
Jaylin Barnes 1-10
Tackles:
Xavier Atkins – 14 tackles, 1 assist, 1 tackle for loss
Peyton Smith – 5 tackles, 3 assists
Karmakize Barber – 4 tackles, 3 assists
Ed’Tavious Drayton – 4 tackles
Kehlin Boston – 3 tackles, 2 assists
Cartavious Waters – 3 tackles, 1 assist
Cameron Leonard – 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Demirrrious Jones – 2 tackles, 5 assists