It was projected at the beginning of the football season that Haynesville High School had the best team in District 1-1A. What wasn’t known was that Jonesboro-Hodge High School had the best offensive player in the district. 

It is known now! 

That was made official on Monday, December 1st, when Dakota Knox was named as Offensive Most Valuable Player in District 1-1A. Additional First Team Offensive selections from JHHS were Lon’Trevious “Tre” Burns at wide receiver, and Kyron Atkins at Guard. Chosen to the Second Team on Offense were JaQuan Qualls at wide receiver and Dylan Hayes at Tackle. 

Knox earned MVP honors after leading JHHS to an impressive quarterfinal appearance in the Division IV playoffs among “non-select” schools, losing to #1-ranked and District 1-1A champion Haynesville, the only team to beat the Tigers in district competition this season. 

The stalwart senior was chosen to the All-District team as an Athlete, was like a “Swiss Army Knife” for the Tiger offense, where, as quarterback, he rushed for 1,176 yards in 13 games, while passing for 682 yards more. Added to that were the 152 yards in receiving, giving him a total of 2,010 yards in total offense for the year, and accounting for 30 touchdowns. 

The award for the Tigers’ senior stalwart was one of many earned during the season. On October 7th, Knox was named the Louisiana Offensive Player of the Week by Geaux Preps for his 242 yards passing and 142 yards rushing performance, where he accounted for 6 touchdowns in the week 5 victory over Arcadia. 

Knox was also named the Buddy Davis Memorial Athlete of the Week by the Ruston Daily Leader after throwing 2 touchdown passes, rushing for a touchdown, and returning an interception 75 yards for yet another score in the Tigers’ 30-0 regular season ending victory over Cedar Creek on November 8th.

Following his 169 yards rushing and 3 TDs (1 Rushing, 2 Passing) in the Tigers’ 44-20 first-round playoff game victory over North Central, just one week later, Knox was named the Bayou Jamb / Raising Cane’s Player of the week. 

“I can’t say enough about what Dakota Knox meant to our football team,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “He is not only a tremendous player but a great leader. If he were 6’2″ and 201 pounds instead of 5’11” and 175 pounds, every college in the nation would be at his doorstep. I have no doubt that someone will realize what a player he is, and whoever does get him will be getting a winner.” 

As a further testament to Knox’s all-around ability, he was also voted to the defensive first team as a defensive back, joining linebacker Marquis Baker on the elite “eleven.” Repeating their All-District second team selection, this time on defense was Dylan Hayes, defensive lineman, and JaQuan Qualls at defensive back, joining Cameron “Mighty Mite” Jackson as a defensive lineman and Malik Nichols at linebacker. 

District Champion Haynesville had the most selections with 20 players voted to the first team, including 11 selected on offense.  Cedar Creek placed six players on the first team, Arcadia had three, and Lincoln Prep had two selected.