(Clay Williams – JPJ) After a thrilling 30-29 upset win over Glenbrook last week, Jonesboro-Hodge looked to build upon their momentum as they traveled to Cedar Creek for the regular season finale. Instead of falling victim to what many called a “trap game” against the 1-8 Cougars, the Tigers completely dominated from start to finish for a 28-0 victory.

J-Hodge kicked off to start the contest, and the Tiger defense immediately set the tone on the first drive. The defensive front led by Ken’Wuan and Kyron Atkins, Dylan Hayes, and Landon Boston helped force the Cougars to lose 13 yards on their first 3 plays, and making the Cougars quickly punt the ball away.

The Tiger offense took over on the Cougar 47-yard line and picked up right where they left off last week. Dakota Knox was in an empty backfield the entire drive, and he easily moved the ball 32 yards on just 4 runs to start things off for the Tigers. On the 5th play of the drive, Knox sailed his first pass of the game over the outstretched arms of his receiver, and into the Cedar Creek defender’s hands for an interception.

Luckily for J-H, this defense brought its A-Game, and they forced a pivotal 4th-and-1 on the Cedar Creek 29-yard line. The 4th down snap was bobbled, and as he has all year long, Ken’Wuan Atkins scooped up the football and set up the Tigers with great field position for the next offensive possession.

Three plays later, Dakota Knox dropped back and delivered a beautiful pass up the seam to Z’Mauryian Palmer for an easy 21-yards touchdown. Knox ran a QB keeper to the right side for the two-point conversion, and J-Hodge had an 8-0 lead late in the 1st quarter.

Cedar Creek had their best offensive drive of the night next… and it was only for 23 yards on 8 plays. The Tiger defense stepped up again on 4th down, and Marquise Baker helped bring down the Cougar ball carrier for a turnover on downs.

J-Hodge started driving down the field again using a mixture of Dakota Knox power runs, and quick passes to Christian McGuire. Before you knew it, the Tigers were knocking on the door again for another touchdown with a 1st and goal at the Cougar 4-yard line. After a couple of unsuccessful runs and a sack, the Tigers had a pivotal 4th and goal from the 14. Knox noticed the single coverage on Z’Mauryian Palmer and lofted one up in the end zone to where only his 6’2 frame could get it, and he out leaped the Cougar defender for his 2nd touchdown of the night.

The 3rd quarter was forgettable for both teams. J-H had a couple good drives deep into Cougar territory, but they both ended with interceptions. The Tiger defense continued to play outstanding football, as they swarmed to the ball every single play, and forced yet another turnover on downs by Cedar Creek.

Jonesboro-Hodge started their first offensive drive of the final quarter near midfield, and this time they started to look like themselves again. While trying to run the clock out and not be too aggressive, the Tigers quick-hitting offense was set up at the Cougar 27-yard line in just a few plays. Dakota Knox took the next snap and went straight up the gut for his first rushing touchdown of the night, leaving numerous Cougar defenders behind him lying on the ground. 

Landon Boston tacked on another touchdown with an 18-yard rush as the 4th quarter winded down, and Kyron Atkins ran it in as the fullback on the two-point try to put a cherry on top of this dominant effort by J-Hodge.

Knox would rush for 139 yards on the night and complete 10 of 14 passes for another 112 yards. Christian McGuire led all receivers with 7 receptions for 71 yards while Z’Mauryian Palmer corralled two aerials for 35 yards and two scores. 

The Tigers defense held Cedar Creek to just 96 yards on the night, by far their best performance of the season. Almost half of that was given up on the final Cougar possession of the game when JHHS had pulled all of their starters. 

J-Hodge finished the regular season with a 4-6 record, winning their last 3 games (one by forfeit) and concluded their district 1-1A slate with a 4-2 mark. The season started slow, but it couldn’t have ended any better for the Tigers.

It’s unsure of where or when the Tigers will play next in the postseason. One thing is for certain though and that is that J-Hodge is playing their best football of the year heading into the playoffs and are going to be a tough out for whoever they play next.

1st Quarter: JHHS – Knox 21 yard pass to Z. Palmer (Knox 2-point run)
2nd Quarter: JHHS – Knox 14 yard pass to Z. Palmer (2-point run no good)
4th Quarter: JHHS – Knox 27 yard run (2 point run no good)
4th Quater: JHHS – Boston 18 yard run (Kyron Atkins 2-point run)

JHHS OFFENSIVE STATS:
Passing: Knox – 10/14, 112 Yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: Knox – 21 / 139 Yards, TD; Boston – 1 Rush, 18 Yards, TD
Receiving: McGuire – 7 / 71 Yards; Z. Palmer – 2/35, 2 TD’s; D.J. Palmer 1/6