A brand new scoreboard, compliments of Jonesboro State Bank / Pledge 10, was in place at Caldwell-Peacock Stadium for the Jonesboro-Hodge Tigers home opener of the 2025 football season. 

The good news is that everything worked fine. The bad news was that it was visiting West Ouachita that lit it up in historic fashion as the Tigers fell by a 62-13 margin to drop to 0-2 on the season while West Ouachita improved to 1-1 for the year.

The point total scored by the visiting Class 4A team represents the fifth-most points that the Tigers have given up in their history and the most points that West Ouachita has ever scored. 

It was the first three minutes of each half that were eerily comparable which was the difference. West Ouachita opened the scoring by running for a 53-yard score on their second play from scrimmage. On the ensuing kickoff the Tigers fumbled and West Ouachita scooped it up for a 40 yard score. Then West Ouachita forced JHHS to punt, and the Chiefs scored again in three plays to go up 20-0. 

JHHS managed to make the game 28-7 at the start of the second quarter when King Campbell found JaMarlon Johnson for a touchdown pass and then as time ran out in the half hit Victor Johnson for a 25 yard score to make it 35-13 at the half. 

The second half began much like the first as West Ouachita rambled 52 yards for a score on their second play from scrimmage and then forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff that resulted in another quick score after a short five play drive. After a Tiger punt the Chiefs scored again in one play on their first pass of the game putting JH in a 55-13 hole. 

Despite the lopsided loss, JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship remained optimistic about the Tigers’ fortunes the rest of the way.

“Give credit to West Ouachita and Coach Mike Rainwater on what they are doing,” said Blankenship. “They really took it to us but we were our own worst enemy. I still believe that if we can get focused and shore up the missing assignments and quit making critical mental errors, we can be a good team. We are going to get back to work on Monday and get ready for next week.” 

The Tigers host Delhi Charter on Friday, September 13th, looking to regain their confidence against the team they beat in the season-opening Bayou Jamb. Kick off is set for 7:00 pm.

Tiger fans can purchase tickets to the contest by downloading the HudlFan App or for those not able to make it to the game, can stream the game at the same location. You can also listen to the game broadcast on radio at TheRoux102, found at 102.3 FM on your radio dial or by downloading the Roux102 App.