The 2026 Homecoming game between Jonesboro-Hodge and undefeated Ringgold, the District 3-1A opener for both teams, was expected to be a tightly contested football game. It was not! JHHS ran roughshod over their upstart foe, 50-0, the largest margin of victory since a 51-0 win over Bunkie in 2021 and 4th largest in the new millennium.

With the victory, JHHS improved to 5-1 for the first time in head coach Terrance Blankenship’s school-record 14-year tenure and only the second time since 1993, the other being in 2009, and also moved into 9th place in the power ratings. Ringgold, who had won their first four games of the year for the first time in what is believed to be the first time in over 40 years, fell to 4-1 on the year.

JHHS coach Blankenship was pleased that his team not only played well on Friday but also praised the coaching staff for keeping the guys focused on the game, despite the distractions Homecoming always brings.

“I thought our coaching staff did a great job in keeping the team focused during the week, and I was pleased with the way our guys played to our potential during the game,” said Blankenship. “This Ringgold team is not like many of their teams in the past. They have some really good athletes and have the capability to cause lots of problems.”

Record-Setting Performances: While the 36 points scored in the first half and 50 points scored in total did not crack the all-time top ten in either category, an individual single-game performance matched an all-time best, and a team defense mark entered the all-time top ten. With three interceptions, Tysen Burks tied the single-game all-time best, joining Charles Harrell (1977), Stevie Anderson (1987), and Michael Burk (2010). The Tigers’ defense also joined the all-time annals by allowing only 7 passing yards, moving into 6th place for single-game passing yards allowed.

Coaching move paying off! To fill the void left by graduation in the backfield, coach Blankenship moved the team’s leading receiver from a year ago, Lontrevious “Tre” Burns, to running back this year. This has become one of the things Blankenship is best known for over the years, with great success moving tremendous players like Tayvion Tate, Reggie Shallowhorn, and Dakota Knox to new positions. Once again, the Blankenship “move magic” is paying great dividends. With new career highs of 142 yards on just 9 carries and 3 rushing touchdowns, Burns is providing JHHS with a tremendous ground game. In four of the five games played, Burns has rushed for more than 100 yards and has 533 rushing yards, including 9 touchdowns on the ground.

Quick Strikes! Coming on the heels of scoring twice on back-to-back offensive possessions in the second half the week before against Arcadia, the Tiger offense took things to another level on Friday by scoring 6 touchdowns in four plays or less, including 4 scores in just two-play drives. The defense also scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery and return by JaQuan Qualls.

District 3-1A Standings

TEAM	DISTRICT	OVERALL	POINTS	AGAINST
Jonesboro-Hodge	1-0	5-1	222	100
Logansport	1-0	5-1	269	111
Montgomery	1-0	3-3	208	176
St. Mary	0-1	5-1	174	111
Ringgold	0-1	4-1	168	94
Lakeview	0-1	2-4	114	215

JHHS vs Ringgold Game Totals

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Jonesboro-Hodge (5-1, 1-0)	16	20	8	6	50
Ringgold (4-1, 0-1)	0	0	0	0	0

Yardstick

	Jonesboro-Hodge	Ringgold
Total Plays	29	57
Total Yards	218	168
Yards Passing	52	7
Yards Rushing	166	161
First Downs	12	10
Third Down Efficiency	1-2	1-10
Fourth Down Efficiency	0-0	0-3
Turnovers	1	4
Penalties-Yards	7-29	10-60

JHHS Individual Offensive Statistics

Passing: King Campbell 4/6-52 yards, 1 TD, 3 2pt conversions
Rushing: Tre Burns 9-142, 3 TD’s, King Cambell 8-28, 2 TD’s, Kingston Bryant 2-12
Receiving: JaMarlon Johnson 1-28, JaQuan Qualls 1-12, 1 TD, Kodan Atkins 1-11, Mason Campbell 1 – (-3)

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