The margin for error was slim for the Greyhounds’ postseason chances on Friday against region-leading Locust Grove to begin with.
Despite a gritty defensive effort that kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard in the second half, Locust Grove was able to apply enough pressure up front against a Jones County offensive line down two starters to knock off the Greyhounds 19-3, keeping them out of the postseason.
The Greyhounds end their season with a record of 6-4 and 5-4 in the region, tying them for fifth place with Eagles Landing. Jones County found itself with its back to the wall on Friday just one week removed from having a shot at a share of a region title.
But previous region losses to Woodland, Ola, and Eagles Landing by a combined 11 points ended up looming large for the Greyhounds, who were 2-2 this season against postseason teams from the region, beating Hampton 27-0 and Stockbridge 46-42.
In the end, the growth of a team that entered the season with only six returning starters from the season before showed tremendous strides but came up just short of the postseason as a result of Friday’s loss to Locust Grove.
As they have most of the season, the Greyhounds showed plenty of fight on Friday, even in defeat. Trailing 6-0 early, the Greyhounds’ Hunter Hardwick generated some early momentum with an interception, only to have it go away one play later on a trick play, resulting in a turnover.
It wouldn’t be the first time of the night that the Jones County defense dug in, as late in the first quarter Junior Holloway came up with an interception on fourth down in the end zone. Jones County failed to capitalize, turning the ball over during a first quarter that also saw a pair offensive three and outs.
Down 12-0 in the second quarter, the Greyhounds got into scoring position when JR Clark pulled down a jump ball inside the five-yard line, setting up a Jacob Watts field goal to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 12-3. Jones County followed that by forcing a punt and driving downfield before a fourth-down sack inside the opposing 35 ended the scoring chance. It would be enough time for the Wildcats to strike, however, as a 22-yard pass on fourth down to end the half extended the lead to 19-3 at the break.
Down by two possessions, Jones County was able to limit Locust Grove defensively in the second half, keeping the Wildcats out of the end zone. The Greyhounds had a chance to get within a score in the fourth quarter following a forced turnover and fourth-down pass from Cason Taylor to Drew Williams inside the five, but a combined four run plays failed to gain, turning the ball back over with 3:24 to play, allowing Locust Grove to wind the clock down and celebrate their first region title in school history.
Taylor, in addition to Clark, who had 65 yards receiving on Friday, is among the losses for Jones County looking toward next year, as JCHS will have to replace a bulk of its starters at the receiver, defensive back, and quarterback positions along with at least two starters for most of the year on the offensive line.
