The Jonesboro-Hodge Tigers hit the road for the fourth time in six weeks on Friday night to take on Haynesville where not things went their way in the 46-0 loss. Still there still was plenty of hopeful signs for the future as a number of underclassmen got extended playing time for the first time this season showing their potential.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 1-5 on the year and 1-2 in district 1-1A play while Haynesville, ranked 7th in the LHSAA Division IV power rankings, stayed on top of the district standings at 3-0 and improved to 6-0 this season. 

J-Hodge elected to receive the opening kickoff, and on the first play from scrimmage Tiger fans could notice something was off. That’s because the Tigers, who normally only have 28 players that dress out, did not have Z’Mauryian Palmer, DJ Palmer, or Dylan Hayes on the field in their normal starting roles. Down three starters on the road against a storied program like Haynesville was going to make the tough task of victory that much tougher.

“We knew going in that Haynesville had a very good team and we had a strong challenge ahead of us,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “Being without three guys who play important roles for us made it an even harder task.”

After a 3-and-out, Dakota Knox punted to the Golden Tornadoes, and a few seconds later Isaiah Washington was in the end zone for a 45-yard return for a touchdown. The extra point by Eli Bray, Haynesville’s all-state caliber kicker, made it a quick 7-0 hole for the Tigers.

Jonesboro-Hodge tried to get the run game going on the next drive with Landon Boston and Cameron Jackson, but after little success the Tigers had to punt again. In true Haynesville fashion, the 17-time state champions marched down the field with their power running game and made the J-H deficit 13-0. Dakota Knox blocked the point after attempt, but the game felt all but over after only seven minutes of play.

That is when there was a momentum shift for the young Tigers. Backed up to their own four yard line after a perfectly placed coffin corner punt, Dakota Knox connected with Christian McGuire on two big passes for a combined 73 yards to push the Tigers into Haynesville territory for the first time in the contest. A middle screen to Maurice Baker put the ball on the Golden Tornado 10 yard line but a penalty negated the gain and J-H didn’t come away with any points on their big drive.

After a punt that pinned Haynesville on their own 10 yard line, the JHHS defensive front made their presence felt with a pair of sacks, the first resulting in a 9 yard loss and the second for what like a safety. The Tigers looked prime to get the ball in great field position with Haynesville being forced to punt from their own seven yard line but an offside infraction by the defense kept the drive alive and killed all momentum gained. Haynesville took advantage of the break and scored with time winding down in the 1st half on a 20-yard touchdown pass that gave the Golden Tornado a 20-0 lead into the locker rooms at the break.

After the Jonesboro-Hodge “Tropical Thunder” band performed an awesome halftime show, the Tigers got swept away by the Golden Tornado who scored 26 points in the frame and limited the Tigers to minus 6 yards of total offense.

Despite the one-sided loss, the opportunity to compete against a very strong team provided for a nice learning experience for several young Tiger players who were seeing action for the first time this season.

“We were pleased with what we saw from our younger guys who got their chance to show what they could do,” reflected Blankenship. “They proved that they can play and that is  something we can build on the rest of the season.”

Next week the Tigers face another strong challenge as they step out of district play to face #6 ranked DeQuincy in the first of three consecutive home games. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Friday night at Caldwell-Peacock Stadium.