GREYHOUND FOOTBALL
In their final tune-up before region play begins, Jones County soaked in the sweet taste of victory on Friday against Peach County, excelling in multiple phases in a dominant 48-21 win against the Trojans.
Region play is next for the Greyhounds (2-2), who travel to Locust Grove on Friday.
“I’m really proud of our guys for playing hard and physical all night,” Greyhounds head coach Mike Chastain said. “It was probably one of the most physical performances from our defensive unit since I have been here.”
With three running backs gaining at least 55 yards to complement the passing game, quarterback Devin Edmonds was 11-of-21 for 221 yards and a touchdown.
The Greyhounds, who led 21-0 after a quarter, sent a strong early message on defense as well, forcing the Trojans to a three and out on three of their first four offensive drives. The defensive stars were aplenty for the Greyhounds, who only allowed one defensive score until the final few minutes when the game was well in hand.
Daniel Hawk, Jamarion Parker and Andrew Mullis were active on defense with Hawk having 10 tackles and the other two registering seven. But the impact of making plays behind the line of scrimmage was felt as well. Three Greyhounds – Zacarri Thomas, DJ Ingram and Omarion Tucker – had two sacks with Thomas and Ingram also having a pair of tackles for a loss.
“They played physical and fast. They played so fast. We still have several starters out, so it’s a blessing and curse,” defensive coordinator Will Conner said. “It’s good that we have depth that can help us later on, but we’re ready to have some guys back.”
As for the offense? It made an early statement with Edmonds finding Stewart, who got open deep downfield for a 48-yard touchdown on the Greyhounds opening drive to lead 7-0. It was the fourth touchdown in as many games this year for Stewart, who finished with four catches for 76 yards. After a 23-yard slant to Zion Ragins made it 14-0, it was the turn of Jones County’s ground game to light up the scoreboard.
Getting sprung by the Greyhounds offensive line, David Little scampered 30 yards for a 21-0 Jones County lead to wrap up the first quarter. Little led Jones County on the ground with eight carries for 98 yards, but he was able to stay fresh during the night with Bruno Hicks, Ragins, Kaiden Gibson and Jaylen Dekle combining to help the Greyhounds rush for 281 yards as a team.
“We take tremendous pride in the run. In this offense, if we can run the ball, we can do a lot,” Greyhounds offensive line coach Daniel Brinson said. “I thought they really strained hard and just executed the plan to perfection. They definitely practiced with a chip on their shoulder, and it showed.”
Ragins added a score on the ground early in the second quarter coming off of Cohen Barfield blocking a punt, and JCHS led 28-0. The Trojans rallied, getting on the board and were driving for another score late in the first half before Zach Hurt came up with an interception.
That’s not to say that Jones County wouldn’t be challenged. A punt return early in the third quarter by the Trojans cut the Greyhounds led to 28-14, but Jones County responded. After Edmonds scrambled to get Jones County out of long yardage, he found Jaivon Solomon from 53 yards away, making the JCHS lead 35-14.
The momentum continued on the defensive side with Tucker forcefully ending a Peach County drive with a sack.
“As unfortunate as last week (against Perry) was, during the whole fourth quarter, he wouldn’t come out,” Conner said of Tucker. “I just saw him grow up in that difficult time at Perry and he was a leader all week, he was a leader at practice and got the d-line going.”
That set up Dekle, who ran the ball in from 11 yards away, stretching into the end zone to move Jones County in front 41-14 with 4:30 left in the third.
Hicks made it 48-14, running it in from 50 yards away.
