Tigers trampled Thursday
Jonesboro-Hodge quarterback Symeon Malone (4) rolls out under pressure against St. Frederick Thursday afternoon at the Bayou Jamb in West Monroe. Photo by Josh McDaniel
WEST MONROE — Jonesboro-Hodge football will have to go back to the drawing board after its 22-0 loss to St. Frederick here Thursday in the 2023 Bayou Jamb.
Head coach Terrance Blankenship was displeased in his team’s performance and said finding an offensive leader before the season opener against General Trass this week is top priority.
“Horrible,” Blankenship said postgame when asked his initial thoughts on the game. “Horrible everywhere. I gotta find a quarterback, period.”
The Tigers’ offense didn’t complete a pass until midway through the second half, while punting the ball on all three of its offensive series in the opening period.
And with a lack of tailbacks to work with, Blankenship had to turn to a pair of sophomores, including regular quarterback Dakota Knox, on handoffs.
“I left three guys at home and all three of them are tailbacks, so we end up with a sophomore and a quarter-back at running back,” Blankenship said. “One of them isn’t coming back, and I’ll see about the other two. Gotta get that fixed.”
St. Frederick’s first drive took only five plays as running back MJ Dade and Michael Henderson led the way, capped off with a fiveyard touchdown from Henderson. St. Fred added on a two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
The Warriors’ next drive was in position to score again but was thwarted after quarterback Montrell Connor threw an interception to Knox in front of the endzone.
For as ineffective as the offense turned out for J-Hodge, the Tigers’ defense hung in the game for as long as they could. Despite starting at its own 48- and 47yard line, along with drives at the J-Hodge 38- and 45-yard lines, St. Fred managed one score in the first half.
“They were OK at the beginning, but when the offense can’t move the ball, that’s going to happen,” Blankenship said.
St. Fred’s Connor extended the Warriors’ lead on a 25-yard rushing touchdown late in the second half before defensive lineman Cole Parrino’s eight- yard fumble scoop and score put St. Fred up 22-0 with two minutes before the ballgame ended.
J-Hodge opens the regular season on Friday at home against General Trass at 7 p.m.
