It took a little longer than normal but finally the LHSAA has released the brackets for the 2024 postseason and Jonesboro-Hodge High School has learned who they will face in the first round of the Division IV “non-select” playoffs.
By virtue of their #20 seeding, the Tigers will travel to #13 Grand Lake High School, located roughly 20 miles below Lake Charles. JHHS, which finished in a tie for third place in district 1-1A, will bring a 4-6 overall record into the contest while Grand Lake, which finished in second place in district 4-1A has a 6-3 record.
“We were holding a hope that we might get a first round home game,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “It was a long shot at best as several things had to go our way in order for that to happen, but regardless we are excited about the opportunity ahead of us.”
Tigers feel optimistic! Despite the low seeding, Jonesboro-Hodge is very optimistic about their chances in the first round contest. And with good reason too. The Tigers enter the postseason playing their best ball of the year. After starting the season with a 1-6 record, JHHS is now riding a season best three game winning streak.
“There is no doubt we are entering the postseason playing our best ball right now,” confirmed Blankenship. “I say this not because we have won the last three games but from what we see on the film. On both offense and defense we are playing better as a unit and we are seeing several guys who weren’t making much contributions early on in the season stepping up and making their presence felt.”
Another reason for their optimism is the tough schedule that the Tigers have faced this year. If it seemed that early in the season that virtually every team that J-H faced had a winning record, it was because it was true. The LHSAA power rating formula that takes into consideration the strength of schedule confirms that. JHHS has a strength of schedule rating of 7.100. That is the four highest among Division IV schools. In the six games that JHHS has lost this season, the opponents overall record is 45-15.
“There is no doubt that our guys have played against some really good teams this year,” said Blankenship. “West Ouachita and Lincoln Prep are having their best year ever. Haynesville and DeQuincy are #1 and #4 in our division and both Glenbrook and Delhi Charter have had really good years. I feel this works to our advantage as playing against teams of this caliber prepares us for this kind of postseason environment.”
Common opponent! The matchup will mark the first time the two will have played each other but while the two schools are on opposite ends of the state, they do share a common opponent this year. Each have played against #4 ranked Dequincy with Grand Lake dropping a 10-7 contest in week five and JHHS falling by a 38-20 margin in week seven. While the point differential favors Grand Lake the 18 difference the Tigers had is somewhat misleading as JHHS was behind only 24-20 at the end of the third quarter. Another factor to consider is the Tigers were playing the contest shorthanded, with three starters out.
“I look at the DeQuincy game as the turning point of our season,” stated Blankenship. “Haynesville had really handed it to us the week before and then we were facing another top five team in DeQuincy with the prospect of having some key guys out. Then we fell behind by two touchdowns after the first couple of minutes of the game. To the coaching staff and players credit though, we fought back to be within four heading into the fourth quarter and since we seem to be playing with a renewed energy.”
New Look Offense! In week two against West Ouachita, the Tigers had a minus three yards in passing. Against Haynesville in week six, JHHS managed only 12 yards on the ground and gained only 35 the following week against DeQuincy. Sure you can chalk that up to playing against very good teams but in reality their offensive scheme that was being used simply wasn’t being very effective. Enter week 8 against Glenbrook.
The Tiger coaching staff made a radical change that has completely turned the offensive production around. JHHS is now incorporating an empty backfield look with only quarterback Dakota Knox taking the snap from the shotgun formation and spreading the field with sometimes five receivers out wide.
“All year, the only yards we were gaining rushing the ball was on quarterback runs by Dakota so we decided to make the decision to feature that by him being the only one in the backfield,” said Blankenship. “We saw a positive effect from that immediately. It also allowed us to flood the passing lanes more with our best playmakers.”
Directions to Grand Lake:
According to Google Maps the distance from Jonesboro to Grand Lake is 184 miles and takes an average of 3 hours and 26 minutes to get there providing normal traffic conditions.
From Jonesboro take HWY 167 South to Alexandria
From Alexandria take HWY 165 South to 1-10
Take 1-10 West to Lake Charles
Take exit 36 South onto HWY 397
Grand Lake High School is at 1039 HWY 384
Radio Broadcast info!
For those not able to make the trip, you can hear the game on the Roux102 radio station, found at 102.3 FM on your radio dial. You can also streamline the game online at http://www.KWXNFM.com or by downloading the Roux102 app. The Tiger pre-game show will begin at 6:30 pm with game coverage slated to begin at 7:00 pm.