Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “maul” as the rough handling, beating, and/or bruising of someone or something. That is exactly what Jonesboro-Hodge High School did to Montgomery High School this past Friday night in a key District 3-1A battle that saw the Tigers roll to a convincing 36-6 victory, scoring 22 unanswered points in the third quarter to blow open a close 14-6 game at the half.
The Tiger defense wreaked havoc on their Grant Parish foe, who entered the contest averaging 38.86 points per game and a whopping 447.3 all-purpose yards. With a swarming attack that applied ferocious pressure all night, JHHS limited Montgomery to just 8 first downs and 159 total yards. This included allowing no conversions on 8 third-down conversion attempts and forcing three turnovers, including a fumble forced by Cameron Jackson and returned by Dylan Hayes for 23 yards and a touchdown, his second defensive touchdown of the year and the Tiger defense’s 4th overall.
Offensively, the Tigers were just as dominant, especially in the third quarter where they scored on three straight possessions. For the night, JHHS powered their way to 273 yards in total offense in just 35 plays for an impressive 7.8 yards-per-play average, paced by 175 yards on the ground, led by 122 yards and 3 touchdowns from running back Lon’Trevious “Tre” Burns, who also added 45 yards receiving and another score via a 33-yard strike from quarterback King Campbell.
Good to be back! After missing the previous week due to illness, Campbell played very effectively, completing 7 of 11 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, and completing a 2-point conversion pass. That was to JaQuan Qualls, who led the Tiger receiving corps with a pair of catches for 46 yards, including a highlight-reel grab that went for 35 yards, where, with his left arm pinned against his body, he reached high in the air and plucked the ball out of the sky with one hand.
“There is no doubt that we are a better team with King running the offense,” said Blankenship. “He has really come along this year, especially in his decision-making, and seems to improve game by game.”
The contest against Montgomery was a great example of what Blankenship meant, as Campbell repeatedly made smart decisions not to force a pass and instead keep the ball, gaining 50 yards in just 5 carries.
Needed Win! The contest was important to the Tigers’ fortunes with respect to earning a possible tie for the district title, as a loss would put them out of contention, while a win would keep JHHS only one game behind district leader Logansport, whom J-H will play in two weeks in the regular season’s final game.
“If we were going to have any hope of claiming a part of the district title, it was important that we took care of business against Montgomery,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “I am pleased with the way our guys responded, as it keeps our hopes alive.”
Special Night! Blankenship had more than just the outcome of the game to be pleased about, as the victory tied him for most wins by a coach in JHHS history, giving him 73 career wins, matching his former coach Joey Pender.
“It is kind of hard to believe that I have been here long enough and have had the opportunity to coach so many great players to win this many games,” said Blankenship, now in his school-record 14th year as the JHHS head football coach. “To be tied with Coach Pender, who coached me in high school and had a lot to do with me wanting to be a coach, is something that means a lot.”
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Jonesboro-Hodge (6-2, 2-1) | 14 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 36 |
| Montgomery (4-4, 2-1) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
JHHS – Burns 2 yd run
JHHS – Hayes 23 yard fumble return (Campbell to Qualls 2-pt conversion pass)
Second Quarter Scoring:
MHS – Bullock 20 yd pass from Small
Third Quarter Scoring:
JHHS – Burns 9 yd run (Campbell 2-pt conversion run)
JHHS – Burns 25 yd run
JHHS – Burns 33 yd pass from Campbell (Campbell to Johnson 2-pt pass)
Game Yardstick
| JHHS | MHS | |
| First Downs | 11 | 8 |
| Rushing Yards | 175 | 110 |
| Passing Yards | 98 | 49 |
| Total Yards | 273 | 159 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 2/5 | 0/8 |
| 4th Down Efficiency | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Penalties/Yards | 3/14 | 7/69 |
JHHS Individual Statistics
Passing: Campbell (7/11-98, 1 TD)
Rushing: Burns (13-122, 3 TD’s, Campbell (5/50), Bryant (3/4), Qualls (1/-1)
Receiving: Qualls (2/46, 2pt), Burns (2/45, TD), Gray Jr. (1/6), Martin (1/4), Johnson (1/-3)
Defense: Hayes (5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 fumble return for TD), Burns (4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss), Jackson (3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble), Campbell (2 tackles, 2 assists), Hemphill (1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 tackle for loss), Tyson Burks (1 tackle), Atkins (1 tackle), Johnson (1 int)