The United States doesn’t have a king, but Jonesboro-Hodge High School does, and just like the definition of his surname implies, this past Friday night in the 42-20 enthusiasm-building victory over Lincoln Prep, quarterback King Campbell was a tremendous leader.
In the victory that improved JHHS to 3-1 on the season for the first time since 2021, Campbell turned in one of the all-time better passing efforts, completing 11 of 15 attempts for 178 yards and, more importantly, 4 touchdowns and a pair of 2-point conversions, while also running for 47 yards in just 7 carries.
While the touchdown passing total goes down as a tie for second-best in JHHS all-time annals, it was his decision-making and leadership that caught the eye of 14-year JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship.
“King played the kind of game that we knew he was capable of, and we have been waiting on to emerge,” said Blankenship. “It wasn’t so much the number of touchdowns he threw for, but his decision-making that made the difference in this game, and if he continues to play like this, we have the chance to be a very good football team.”
If you aren’t excited about the possibilities of this Tiger team, you either haven’t seen them yet or you need your pulse checked. It is just pure fun to watch this team play, as JHHS is loaded with “game breakers”, including a deep receiving corps that is rare among “small schools.”As an example of how effective the pass catchers for the Tigers are, five different players – Jamarlon Johnson, Tysen Burks, Channing Gray Jr., Kodan Atkins, and Tre Burns scored touchdowns, including four of the receivers.
“We knew coming in that our depth at receiver was one of our biggest advantages,” continued Blankenship. “They all have done a very good job to date, and I am happy that I don’t have to prepare for them. They all are similar in that they catch the ball and block well. Along with Tre Burns developing into a very good running back, it gives up a lot of options and forces a defensive coordinator to pick his poison.”
Shootout Start! The first quarter was an offensive-minded fan’s delight as both JHHS and Lincoln Prep put up 14 points and scored on each of their possessions. JHHS got things started by going 56 yards in just six plays, scoring a touchdown when Campbell found Johnson for a 4-yard TD strike. Lincoln Prep came right back to tie the score, going 50 yards in six plays. Starting this time from the Panthers’ 44-yard line, JH regained the lead when Tre Burns, who ran for 114 yards on 16 carries, found paydirt from one yard out on a second consecutive 4th-down conversion. Campbell then hit Kodan Atkins for the two-point conversion to put JHHS up 14-6. Back again came Prep, scoring on an impressive 83-yard drive that took only six plays. The two-point conversion made it 14-14 heading into the second quarter.
Scary Scenario! Lincoln Prep has a good quarterback too. Jabari Livingston is a tremendous athlete, verified by the fact that earlier this year, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Class A state basketball championship game, playing a huge role in L-Prep winning the state championship. Livingston had already thrown for two scores in the opening half and led the Panthers to paydirt with his third TD of the contest on L-Preps opening second-half drive to put Lincoln Prep up 20-14.
Second Half Surge! The concern of the Tiger coaching staff quickly turned into confidence as JHHS suddenly began to dominate the game on both sides of the ball. After falling behind for the first time in the contest, JHHS quickly tied the game when Campbell found Atkins for a three-yard score, capping off a 7-play, 56-yard drive.
Getting Defensive! On Lincoln Prep’s next two possessions, JHHS forced punt attempts, neither of which was executed by the Panthers. The first time, Dylan Hayes ran down the punter after the snap was low and mishandled, leading to a King-to-Channing Gray Jr. touchdown pass and a King-to-Johnson 2-point conversion that put JH up 28-20. On L-Prep’s next possession, the Tiger special team struck again. Deep in their own territory, the Panther punter mishandled the snap. Tysen Burks made them pay by hitting the punter as he attempted to kick the ball, causing the ball to come loose and give JH possession on the Lincoln Prep 17-yard line. JHHS would fumble to give the ball right back at the Panther 7-yard line, but the defense forced a fumble of its own, and starting from the 44-yard line for the 4th time in the game, JHHS scored its 4th touchdown when Campbell found Burks across the middle for a 21-yard score and a now commanding 34-20 lead.
Safety! A good kickoff by Campbell put Lincoln Prep at their own 7-yard line, leading to the Tiger defense recording their second safety of the year, when Jamarcus Dozier ran down the Panther QB on a beautifully timed blitz from his cornerback position.
“After we didn’t stop Winnfield a single time last week or Lincoln Prep in the first quarter, it was good to see the defense step up and not only shut down their offense but score as well,” said Blankenship. “We challenged the group at halftime, and I am happy with the way they responded.”
Burns Blast! In every game prior, Tre Burns had broken off at least one long run. It took 3 1/2 quarters to do so, but he did it again on the Tigers’ next possession as he sprinted down the left sideline for a 46-yard score to put JH up by 22 points, with time nearly gone.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Jonesboro-Hodge (3-1) | 14 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 42 |
| Lincoln Prep (2-2) | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
y
Yard Stick
| JHHS | LPHS | |
| First Downs | 15 | 10 |
| Rushing Yards | 161 | 142 |
| Passing Yards | 176 | 121 |
| Total Yards | 337 | 263 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 2-6 (33%) | 4-9 (44%) |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 2-2 (100%) | 2-3 (67%) |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties – Yards | 6-34 | 15 – 78 |
JHHS Individual Statistics
Passing: King Campbell 11/15, 176 yards, 4 TDs, 2 two-point conversions
Rushing: Tre Burns 16-114, 1 TD, 1 two-point conversion, King Campbell 7-47
Receiving: Jamarlon Johnson 4-69, 1 TD, 1 two-point conversion, Tysen Burks 2-43, 1 TD, Channing Gray Jr. 2-43, 1 TD, Juquan Qualls 1-11, Tre Burns 1-5, Kodan Atkins 1-5, 1 TD, 1 two- point conversion
Tackles: Tre Burns – 7 tackles, 2 assists, Dylan Hayes – 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, Reginald Hemphill – 3 tackles, 1 assist, Tysen Burks – 3 tackles, Jamarcus Dozier – 2 tackles, 1 assist, 1 Safety, Cameron Jackson – 2 tackles, 1 assist, 1 tackle for a loss, Kodan Atkins 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 fumble recovery, Michael Malone – 1 tackle, Channing Gray Jr. – 1 tackle, Jason McNeil – 4 assists, Noah Murphy – 3 assists, Jamarlon Johnson – 1 assist