Conventional wisdom says that, for an offense to be successful, a sound plan would be run a play on the opposite side of the field from an athletic impact player of a defense.
That could prove difficult for teams going against the Greyhounds this season.
At one outside linebacker position for Jones County stands Zacarri Thomas. Measuring six-foot-two, he battled last season to register more than 50 tackles. He saved some of his best performances for highstakes games, having seven tackles in key region wins against Ola and Dutchtown.
All of that was enough to attract the interest of multiple power-four schools before Thomas settled on Boston College, where he verbally committed to in the offseason.
There’s no ease for opposing offenses on the other side of the Jones County defense, where DJ Ingram, who doubles as a running back, is also lined up. He has received offers so far from teams including Air Force and Southeastern Missouri. He is coming off a season with more than 50 tackles as well.
Both give Greyhounds defensive coordinator Will Conner a luxury that he is happy to have.
“We’re definitely blessed to have great linebackers,’ Conner said. “With me being here in my second year, it really helps with those two playing opposite of each other. If they’re running away from one, they have to run away from the other.”
