Before Jonesboro-Hodge’s 44-20 opening round playoff victory over North Central High School, Tiger head coach Terrance Blankenship mused that the outcome of the contest would be determined by which Tiger team would show up.

Would it be the one that often lost its focus, leading to double-digit deficits many times during the regular season? Or would it be the team that played so cohesively that they completely dominated their opponent, which led to JHHS rallying for victories five times during the season?

It was both.

Fortunately for JHHS, there were many more resemblances to the latter, including a tremendous early second-half effort that turned a close game at the half into a one-sided victory.

With the victory in the Tigers’ 52nd all-time playoff appearance, which is the 11th most among LHSAA member schools, Jonesboro-Hodge improves to 8-3 on the season and moves to the second round of the LHSAA Division IV playoffs for the fourth time in Blankenship’s school record 13th year at the helm and first since 2021.

JHHS, seeded #9 in the Division IV 28-team bracket of “non-select” schools, will now make the long journey to southwest Louisiana to play #8 seed and District 4-2A champion Vinton, who, with a 9-2 record, advanced by beating DeQuincy 28-0, in a rematch of their regular season final contest against their fellow district opponent. 

As has been the case many times this season, the first half was one of “ebb and flow” as after spotting North Central and early 6-0 lead, the Tigers came roaring back to take what looked like a commanding 22-6 lead on the strength of a pair of Dakota Knox to Jaquan Qualls scorings strikes and a Knox short run. 

Then like having a light switch go off and plunge JHHS into total darkness, North Central scored twice in a matter of minutes on passes that Tiger defenders looked to have a bead on, only to go through their hands and to awaiting North Central receivers who sprinted to paydirt and end the half with JHHS leading by a slim 22-20 margin.

“I can’t explain it,” laughed Blankenship. “All year we have had moments during a game where we lose focus and give our opponents easy scores.”

As they have done all year as well, J-H came out with a vengence in the second half to regain control of he contest, scoring on their first two possessions in the third quarter on drives of 49 and 81 yards to head into the final quarter of play with a 36-20 lead. Another fourth quarter score gave the Tiger the final margin of victory.

“When we play like we did in the second half, with both our offense and defense clicking, we are a really good team,” said Blankenship.

It was a punishing ground game exhibited by the Tigers that proved to be the difference as JHHS rambled for over 300 yards rushing, led by Knox and Landon Boton both gaining over 100 yards on the night, collecting 169 and 114 yards respectively. Knox also passed for 85 yards and two scores, the lionshare going to Qualls, who led Tiger receivers with four catches for 82 yards and the two scores.  

As impressive as the offense was, it was the defense that once again stole the show, pitching a shut out in the second half for the fourth game in a row. Leading the charge was Dylan Hayes, who turned in his best “line” of the seaso bty making 6 solo tackles, assisting on four more, while also registering 2 sacks and 3 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Maurice Nichols, Cameron Jackson and Qualls also provided a big boost by recovering fumbles.