Just as the final second ticked off the clock to signify the end of Jonesboro-Hodge’s 39-33 Division IV second-round playoff victory over Vinton, lightning swept across the skyline to the north.

It was appropo.

For four hours, electricity had been abound, not only in the sky but on the field as well.

Early on, it was flashes of itremendous individual effort that took center stage as both  #9 Jonesboro-Hodge and #8 Vinton moved up and down the field at will. to light up the scoreboard in the first quarter.

Then, with both squads coming back onto the field for the start of the second quarter, a streak of celestial brightness brought everything to a standstill as the referees called for a stoppage of play for a required 30 minutes, as ruled in the case of lighting being recorded within 8 miles of the stadium. Near the end of the mandatory delay of the game, the sky light up again, causing a reset of the watch clock and keeping both teams in the locker room while the fans sat patiently in the stands. 

Then the rain came, bringing another indication as to what was to come, as when the two teams finally got a chance to play again, both poured on a torrent of scoring plays over the final three quarters of the competitive contest, powered by ground games that combined for 729 yards during the four-hour affair. 

With the victory, JHHS improves to 9-3 on the year and advances to the Division IV quarterfinals among “non-select” schools, where they will face #1 seed Haynesville, next Friday for the second time this season, in an all District 1-1A matchup. Vinton, the District 6-2A champion, ends their best season since 2006 with a 9-3 record. 

“It was every bit as good a battle as we expected it to be,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship, who has now led a team to the quarterfinals for the third time in his 13-year tenure and first since 2021. “We knew they had some really explosive players and could put points on the board, which they did but our guys did what they have all year and took control in the second half.”

Blankenship knew the Tiger defense would have its hands full attempting to stop Vinton tailback Jaiden Briggs, who entered the contest with over 2000 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns on the year. Briggs proved to be as good as advertised, accounting for 254 yards rushing and four TDs. 

“That young man is a special back and gave us lots of problems all game,” complimented Blankenship. “Got to give our guys credit, though, they really did a good job of keeping him in check in the second half, which allowed us to gain the advantage. 

First quarter flurry! It was JHHS that had the early advantage as after receiving the opening kickoff, the Tigers pounded their way down the field for 78 yards in just six plays to take a 7-0 lead when Dakota Knox plowed in from four yards out and Sadaar Stevens made the extra point. Vinton quickly knotted the score at 7-7 when Briggs burst past Tiger defenders for a 51-yard touchdown, setting up a second first-quarter score by JHHS when Landon Boston blasted through the line to score from 18 yards out to give the Tigers a 13-7 lead at the end of the first period. 

Second quarter swoon! After the long delay, Vinton picked up where it left off when Briggs scored again, this time on a 32-yard jaunt that put the finishing touches on an 11-play 75-yard drive. Getting the ball back on their own 38-yard line, the Lions then mounted a 13-play 62-yard drive, climaxed by Briggs’ third touchdown of the first half, leading to the teams heading into the break with Vinton holding a 20-13 lead.

“Whatever it was, either the delay or the field now being wet, when we came back out, we didn’t execute very well on offense or defense,” said Blankenship. 

Tigers take control! Where the second quarter was all Vinton, the third period belonged to the Tigers. As they have all season, JHHS came out of the break with a renewed intensity as the Tigers dominated Vinton on both sides of the ball. Three times JHHS got the ball and three times marched down the field for a touchdown, highlighted by a 75-yard sprint down the sidelines by Dakota Knox for the rushing touchdown of the season. Kyron Atkins would also score on a three-yard plunge, and Landon Boston would tally for the second time in the contest as well as the Tigers. Just as impressive was the effort by the Tiger defens,e which didn’t allow a first down in the quarter and limited Vinton to only 10 plays on three offensive possessions.

“The way the defense shut them down in the third quarter was the difference in the game,” said Blankenship. “They really stepped up when we needed it.”

The final frame was much like the first as both offenses had their way. Vinton was the first to put up points when quarterback Michael Lange ran for a 51-yard score, only to see JHHS come right back when Knox blasted in from four yards out to cap off a 5-play 40-yard drive. The Tigers got the opportunity to make the short drive when Vinton attempted an onside kick that slid off the side of the kicker’s foot, rolled forward for two yards, and then sliced back to the line of scrimmage before being downed. 

Vinton responded again, as Briggs sprinted 36 yards for his fourth score of the game, leaving JHHS with a 39-33 lead. With 7:11 now remaining in the game, JHHS took possession at its own 30-yard line and methodically moved 68 yards down the field, seemingly ready to put the final nail in the coffin. Then potential disaster struck when JHHS fumbled at the 2-yard line, giving Vinton one final shot with 2:39 remaining in the game. 

“I got a lump in my throat,” laughed Blankenship after the game. “I knew their guy could break it at any time, as he had done all game, so the last thing I wanted to happen was give him another chance.”

Fortunately, the Tiger defense stepped up again, as Tyson Burks intercepted a pass at the Vinton 30-yard line with 1:42 left in the game. JHHS then ran three “victory” formation plays, with Knox taking the snap and kneeling down to run out the clock. 

JHHS ran for a season-best 409 yards on 44 carries as both Knox and Boston neared 200 yards in rushing. Knox ended the night with  193 yards and 3 TDs on 22 totes while Boston amassed 188 yards and 2 scores on just 14 carries before exiting the game with a gimpy ankle midway through the fourth quarter.

“As they have all year, both guys came through when we needed them,” said Blankenship. “But you can’t have that many yards on the ground without the line doing a great job, so got to give them props too.” 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
#9 JHHS (9-3)	13	0	20	6	39
#8 Vinton (9-3)	7	13	0	13	33

JHHS Individual Offensive Stats
Passing: Knox – 4/10/27 yards
Rushing: Knox – 22/193/3 TD’s; Boston 14/188/2 TD’s; Baker 2/11, Atkins 3/8/1 TD
Receiving: Burns 1/22, Boston 3/5

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