A long standing football adage is hold an advantage in the time of possession and you will win. With nearly flawless offensive production, especially in the first quarter, JHHS debunked that theory on Friday night in the 34-22, district 3-2A victory over Lakeview.
The victory broke a four-game losing streak for JHHS and improved their record to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in district competition. Lakeview lost their fifth straight to fall to 3-6 and 0-4.
The Gators have a unique offensive approach. With all eleven players lining up tightly inside the tackle box, Lakeview runs, runs and then runs some more. The ground oriented, clock chewing, Lakeview attack gained 351 yards and held the ball for roughly 35 of the 48 minutes in the contest including all but three minutes of the second half.
JHHS had just seven possessions all night, including only two in the second half. That was plenty though as the Tigers scored the first four times they had the ball and again on their first possession of the second half. The other two times JHHS went on offense, one drive ended with an interception just before the half with JHHS trying to throw a last gasp long bomb and the Tigers taking knee as time wound down in the contest.
More points trumps more plays every time!
There is a simple theme to Jonesboro-Hodge’s games this season. Score 20 or more points, and you’ll win. The Tigers accomplished that in the first quarter alone and it was in their 34-22 victory over Lakeview, giving JHHS their first district 3-2A victory of the year.
Lakeview won the toss, and elected to receive the ball to start the game, moving
49 yards in 5 plays for an opening touchdown, and a 8-0 lead. J-Hodge answered less than a minute later, thanks to a 39-yard touchdown on a perfectly executed reverse from Da’Marrious Burns to narrow the gap to 8-6.
J-Hodge’s defense got the ball back immediately for the Tigers, with Ken’Wuan Atkins recovering the first of several Lakeview fumbles in the game on the first play of Gators next possession. Continuing a trend of introducing a new offensive formation every week, the Tigers went to the wildcat formation by putting Burns at QB, who took the direct snap for a 25-yard gain. Chance Leonard then carried it in from 3 yards out to give the Tigers a 12-8 lead with a little more than 7 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
The fireworks continued as Lakeview responded with their second touchdown.
Once again, J-H came right back.
Leonard scored from 10 yards out to give the Tigers a 20-14 lead after the most explosive first quarter of the season and then tallied for a third time, breaking off a 48-yard touchdown run for his longest gain of the season. Demerrius Jones plowed in for the 2-point run, to give the Tigers a 28-14 lead but Lakeview responded by grounding out a 16 play, 74 yard drive and two point run to make the score 28-22 at the half.
Jones continued to make his presence felt on Lakeview’s first possession of the second half by recovering a fumble near midfield. Two plays later, the Tigers put the finishing touches on their near perfect offensive performance.
The final score of the night came when Symeon Malone hit Burns with a short pass in the right flats. Showing tremendous field vision, the Tigers most explosive playmaker of the year cut back to the left, took advantage of some great downfield blocking and outran a host of Lakeview defenders for a 42 yard touchdown to put JHHS up by the final 34-22 margin.
The win was huge for the Tigers goal of making the postseason, who now look to be a lock for the Division IV playoffs. With only the traditional rivalry contest against Winnfield left in the regular season, the victory vaulted JHHS into 17th place in the power rankings and in great shape to make the 32 team field regardless of the outcome next week.