School Spotlight: Jonesboro-Hodge

Jonesboro-Hodge High School is located deep in the pinny woods of north Louisiana. The towns of Jonesboro and Hodge are small logging towns with a papermill. Jonesboro-Hodge is a class 3A powerhouse program ran by one of the top high school coaches in the state, Terrance Blankenship. Coach Blank, has such compassion for this game, as well as to the success of his players. During the 2021 season, coach Blank led his team to an 11-3 record with this final loss in the LHSAA state semi-finals to the eventual state champions Amite Warriors. Even through the Tigers lost several Senior players to graduation, I look for a repeat with a deep run in the class 3A playoffs in 2022. Coach Blank has several star players returning and a plethora of young talent in the wings.

Class or 2024 LB Xavier Atkins is nothing short of amazing to watch. He is a sideline to sideline backer that has garnished the attention of Power 5 schools all over the country. He is currently one of the top Linebackers in the 2024 class. He is a hard hitting downhill player that every college coach wants to sign.

Class of 2023 DE Peyton Smith, like his teammate is a hard hitting, strong defensive lineman. At 6’4″ and 252 lbs, Payton is an unstoppable force. He overpowers linemen at the base of attack and makes stops. He punishes running backs for wanting to run to his side of the line. ” I’m a gritty, hard nosed player. I’ll never be out worked and always will have the largest motor on the field.”

Class of 2023 DT Catavious Waters, is not the biggest payer on the Tiger defense, but one of the hardest workers. I like his first step and his strength. He uses his height as his advantage against bigger defenders by using his technique and pad height. He is a strong tackle and has good handwork in the trenches.

Class of 2023 OL/DL Dominick Strickland, is a 6’4″ 235 LBS lineman that plays with a lot of passion. “I am a hard worker that will do whatever it takes to succeed. Ready for anything that the world will throw at me.” He plays a little high with his pad height, but overcomes that with his strength. This offseason, he is working on his starts and stances and will be polished with his pad height by the time season starts.

Class of 2023 WR/FS Zion Gray, is a 6’4″ 190 lbs play maker. I like him better as a receiver due to his ability go up high and snatch the ball. He is a duel sport athlete while playing basketball.

Class of 2023 ATH Cameron Leonard, is a 5’10” 183 lbs explosive athlete. Cameron plays multiple positions as WR, Safety, Corner, and Linebacker. His uses his size as an advantage like a young Tyrann Mathieu’s.

Class of 2024 CB/WR Symeon Malone, is a 6’3″ 184 LBS future star. Symeon showed up and showed out during our February camp in Pineville, La. He ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and a 4.42 Shuttle. During the one-on-ones, I had Symeon line up with an inside press and work on dominating the inside shoulder of the receiver. By doing this, it showed his ability to flip his hips and cover the deep ball vs a good QB. I look for Symeron to have a break out season in 2022 and show his skills he has learned this offseason.

Overall, the Tigers are poised for another deep run this season. They have a huge hole to fill at the QB position, but they have a very good backfield, and an extremally talented defense.

Sept 2nd		Away
Sept 9th		Home
Sept 16th		Away
Sept 23rd		Away
Sept 30th		Home
Oct 7th		Away
Oct 14th		Away
Oct 21st		Away
Oct 28th		Home
Nov 4th		Home