One of the oldest and most storied rivalries in LHSAA prep football history continues this Friday evening as Jonesboro-Hodge High School plays host to Winnfield Senior High at Caldwell Peacock Stadium. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.
The 2024 season opening contest for both schools marks the 98th time that the two Tigers will play in the series that began in 1917 with Winnfield holding a 52-43-2 all time advantage. The record represents the most wins and losses against any opponent by both teams.
Additional historical facts regarding the rivalry show that since 1945 the two schools have played each other every year, except in 2019 when the outbreak of the COVID epidemic forced the scheduled game to be cancelled. In games played at Caldwell Peacock Stadium, Jonesboro-Hodge holds a 26-22-1 advantage and this contest will be the 29th time the two have opened the season against each other with Winnfield winning 19 times.
In respect to the series impact statewide, the 1977 contest which J-H won 7-0, was the first regular season overtime contest ever played in the LHSAA. Also, while the two schools have 96 post season appearances between them, surprisingly the two schools have never met in the playoffs.
The series is noted not only for it’s longevity but many “sidebars” as well, including several contests that decided district titles, more than one fight (on and off the field), a “skunking” of a team bus, upsets and comebacks. Never before the past couple of seasons though has the “tilt of two Tigers” taken on the current state of affairs that could be considered a “battle between brothers.”
What that is referring to is the two men who will be leading their troops on each sideline in Jonesboro-Hodge head coach, Terrance Blankenship, and Winnfield head man, Jay Watson.
It is hard to find two men, who while not officially related, are closer to each other. The pair have been best of friends since being classmates in elementary school. So close in fact that as their birthdays are only days apart, the pair used to celebrate their special day together.
As they grew older they both developed a love for football and in both junior high and high school they played side-by-side on the line for Jonesboro-Hodge, both playing vital roles in the “three-peat” state championship years.
“I love Jay like a brother and feel fortunate to have had him as a great friend all these years,” reflected Blankenship. “I will always pull for him to win every game each year – other than this one!”
GAME FACTS
(1) Blackout in effect – As the contest has been declared a “Blackout” by JHHS, fans are encouraged to show your support for the Tigers by wearing black outfits to the contest.
(2) Clear Bag Policy – When coming to the game, make sure that if you are bringing items into the stadium they are enclosed in a clear bag as the JHHS administration will be enforcing a Clear Bag Policy.
(3) Ticket sales – Game tickets can be purchased in advance at the GoFan app. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate with a debit card, credit card, or any Tap pay option.
(4) Radio Broadcast – Hopefully Tiger fans will come out in force but for those unable to attend the game will be broadcast on radio at 102.3 FM (The Roux) beginning with pregame analysis at 6:30 pm. Also for the first time ever, those who live outside of the radio transmit area can livestream the game by downloading the Roux102 App.