If Jonesboro-Hodge beats Many this Friday evening in the third district 3-2A til of the season for both it may not be of the biblical proportions of David vs Goliath but it would be the one of the biggest upsets in Jonesboro-Hodge history.
On paper the contest that will be played at 7:00pm in Many looks to be the ultimate mismatch. The Tigers enter the contest ranked #32 in Division IV after losing their first two district games of the year and sporting a less than salty 2-5 overall record. Conversely Many is the top ranked “non-select” team in Division III and undefeated at 6-0. This includes their past two district 3-2A victories over Mansfield and Winnfield by a combined score of 103-32 and wins over Isodore Newman, the top ranked team among “select” schools in Division III, two Class 5A schools and a Class 4A team.
While the deck looks to be stacked against the Tigers winning their first district game of the year, JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship believes that JHHS could shock the LHSAA world if his squad will finally play the way they are capable.
“We can win this game if we play like we have the ability to,” said Blankenship. “But we won’t have a chance if we continue to play like we have.”
The Tigers have been tantalizing close to winning several times this season but for some reason seems to grab defeat out of the jaws of victory.
“Other than the first game against General Trass where it was over by the half, we have had a shot at winning every game,” reflected Blankenship. “We will play really good for a quarter or two and then for some reason make mistakes that just kill us.”
On a side note the contest is a showdown between two of the most ballyhood defensive players in the state, who also do double duty on the offensive side of the ball. All eyes will be on the battle between Many High, Quarterback/Defensive Back Tackett Curtis, who is the defending Class AA Defensive Player of the Year and committed to the University of Southern California and Xavier Atkins, also a Class AA first team All-State selection and the state’s leading tackler last season and who is committed to LSU.
Several other prospects will be in the spotlight as well, including Many defensive back Tylen Singleton and lineman Joseph “Big Hoss’ Cryer who also have offers from schools in Divison One and JHHS”s Petyon Smith and Dominick Strickland, who have received offers from smaller schools.
How to get there:
According to Google Maps the trip to the stadium on the campus of Many High should take about one hour and 30 minutes.
Take Hwy 167 south to Winnfield.
Take Hwy 84 West
Take La 6 West all the way where just before you enter into the town of Many you will see the school on the right.
