Jonesboro-Hodge avoided an Arcadia ambush attempt by scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lift the Tigers to a thrilling 49-44 Homecoming contest victory. With the win, JHHS surges to the top of the District 1-1A standings with a 2-0 record and improved to 3-2 overall on the season. Arcadia fell to 1-4 on the year and 1-1 in district play.

Game recap! For the first time this season, JHHS scored on its first possession when Dakota Knox scored on a 29-yard run only to see upstart Arcadia shock the Tigers by scoring three straight times on a 66-yard halfback pass, and runs of 27 and 38 yards to take a 20-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Momentum seemed to be swinging in the Tigers’ favor when Knox hit Jamarlon Johnson for a 42-yard touchdown pass to narrow the margin to 20-13, but Arcadia immediately established a second two-score lead by returning the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a score that left the large Homecoming crowd stunned at the sudden turn of events.

JHHS would respond. With only 2:17 left in the first half, the Tigers went into the break with renewed enthusiasm when Knox hit LaTreyvious “Trey” Burns on a short slant pass across the middle that saw the speedster break a tackle and take 85 yards to paydirt to bring JHHS closer at 26-21.

(Click here to see the 5th longest touchdown pass in JHHS history) – Courtesy of K104 Downs Law Friday Night Scoreboard Show

“That was huge for us,” reflected Blankenship. “We felt that we could score on Arcadia if we would just start executing and closing the gap to just five points at the half gave the guys a lot of confidence that they could rally in the second half.”

The Tigers opened the second half much like they started the game by scoring on their first drive of the third quarter on a 17-yard run by Knox to give JHHS the lead again at 27-26 heading into the final frame. To their credit, Arcadia regained the lead at 32-27, but once again JHHS rallied when Maurice Baker plunged 2 yards to paydirt to put the Tigers on top again at 33-32. The lead increased to 41-32 when Know scampered for a 22-yard score and Kyron Atkins bulled his way in for the 2-point conversion.

Just when it looked like the Tigers had finally beaten back Arcadia from possibly ruining the Homecoming festivities, the Hornets stung JHHS again by driving 80 yards on 7 plays to narrow the margin to 41-38 with just 2:21 remaining in the game. In a last-gasp effort, Arcadia attempted an onside kick, but the ball didn’t travel the necessary 10 yards, giving the Tigers possession at the Hornets 45 45-yard line, setting up another touchdown run by Knox and another Atkins 2-point run that gave JHHS a 49-38 lead with only 1:37 left to play. Arcadia would then score on a 62-yard pass play for the final margin as the two squads accounted for 40 total fourth-quarter points

Identity Crisis! One hope of a coach is that in the early part of the schedule, his team establishes an identity, meaning they become consistent in exhibiting things that the coach can rely on or learns the areas where improvement is needed as the season progresses in order to have a successful year.

At the halfway point of the season, the Tigers seem to have a “split personality.” One being Tiger head coach Terrance Blankenship hopes continues, and another that he would just as soon see stop from happening each week.

“We have got to find a way to stop falling behind early in the games,” laughed Blankenship after the Tigers spotted Arcadia a two-touchdown first-half advantage, marking the fifth consecutive game that JHHS has trailed at the half. “I am very pleased that over the last three weeks we have proven the ability to come back and win, but when you dig a hole for yourself against strong competition, you are not always going to be able to come out of it.”

Fort Knox! Just like the Army facility that protects the United States bullion depository, JHHS senior quarterback/running back, Dakota Knox, provided security against attempts by Arcadia to keep the Tigers from winning. Turning in a herculean effort, Knox accounted for a total of six touchdowns, four on the ground and two more through the air, highlighted by rushing for 253 yards on 23 attempts for an 11 yards per carry average (unofficial stats). In the second half alone, Knox had 205 yards rushing, including one stretch where Knox ran for 10 yards or more on seven of nine consecutive rushes and accounted for all of the 87 yards the Tigers gained on the two touchdown drives that lifted JHHS from a 33-32 lead to an insurmountable 49-32 advantage. Added to the memorable effort was another 146 yards through the air on 6 completions in 9 attempts that included an 85-yard scoring strike that ranks as the fifth longest in JHHS history.

(Click here to see one of four touchdown runs by Dakota Knox) – Courtesy of K104 Downs Law Friday Night Scoreboard Show)

“I can’t say enough about what Dakota means to our team. He has put us on his shoulders for three weeks in a row,” said Blankenship. “It is not only what he does on the field, but also the leadership and inspiration he provides in the locker room. He is one of the better team leaders I have had the privilege of coaching.”

“He refuses to be denied and gives as good an effort as anyone you would ever want to see,” continued Blankenship. “What is most impressive is that he is hardly ever brought down by just one man, which is amazing, especially as this is coming from a guy who is only 5’11” tall and weighs 175 pounds. If he were taller or weighed more, he would be on the radar of every college coach in the nation, and I hope that someone recognizes the incredible player that he is and gives him a chance. They will be getting a winner for sure.”

NEXT UP! The lead in District 1-1A will be up for grabs when Jonesboro-Hodge plays host to the top-ranked team in Class A in Haynesville, who will bring an impressive 5-0 overall record and 2-0 mark in district play for a Thursday, October 9th, contest at Caldwell-Peacock Stadium. Kick off is slated for 7:00 pm.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
JHHS (3-2, 2-0)	7	14	6	22	49
Arcadia (1-4, 1-1)	14	12	0	18	44

Scoring summary:

1st Quarter:
JHHS: Knox 29-yard run (Stevens XP kick)
AHS: 66-yard halfback pass (2 pt attempt no good)
AHS: 27-yard run (2 pt run)
2nd Quarter:
AHS: 55-yard run (2 pt attempt no good)
JHHS: Knox 42-yard pass to Johnson (2 pt attempt no good)
AHS: 65-yard kickoff return (2 pt attempt no good)
JHHS: Knox 85-yard pass to Burns (2 pt pass)
3rd Quarter:
JHHS: Knox 17-yard run (2 pt attempt no good)
4th Quarter:
AHS: 13-yard run ((2 pt attempt no good)
JHHS: Baker 2-yard run (2 pt attempt no good)
JHHS: Knox 22-yard run (Atkins 2 pt run)
AHS: 11-yard pass (2 pt attempt no good)
JHHS: Knox 20-yard run (Atkins 2 pt run)
AHS: 62 yard pass (Atkins 2 pt run)

JHHS Individual Offensive Statistics

Rushing: Knox (23-253, 4 TD’s); Paggett (3-16); Gray (1-5); Campbell (1 – minus 14)
Passing: Knox (6-9, 146 yards, 2 TD, 2 Int); Campbell (6-7, 41 yards)
Receiving: Burns (4-111 yards, 1 TD); Johnson (3-72, 1 TD); Gray (1-8); Knox (2 – minus 7)