Hurricanes Return to Action Friday Hosting Lamar for Homecoming

After a much-needed bye week, the Jasper County-Monticello High School football team returns to the field this Friday as the Hurricanes host region foe Lamar County.

“We were able to rest and heal some,” said coach Rydell Jackson of the bye week. “We also had a chance to work on getting better. That was something we needed to focus on.”

Jasper County-Monticello has been preparing for Lamar County this week as players and coaches know it will be an important region contest.

“They are a balanced offensive team,” Jackson said. “They like to throw the football as well as run it. They are going to try to get you in situations on defense where they can take advantage of it. We’ll have to stop the zone read, counter trey and counter trap. It will be important on defensive for us to be patient and read our keys.”

On the other side of the football the Trojans are also a “sound” team, Jackson said.

“They are going to get after us,” the coach said. “We have to be ready for a very tough game.”

Injuries have played a major role for Jasper County-Monticello (2-5 overall, 1-2 in Region 3-AA) this fall with several front-line players missing games. Some have already had their season come to an end.

Jackson is not using that as an excuse, however.

Statistically for the Hurricanes, Shamarian Greene has rushed for 612 yards and six touchdowns on 164 carries. Greene also has eight receptions for 100 yards and a score.

Mac Barton has thrown for 397 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 175 yards.

Jacarion Grier is the team’s leading receiver with 146 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns.

Cedrion Stone is the team’s leading tackler with 42 solo stops and 15 assists along with five backfield stops. Grier has recorded 32 solo tackles with 16 assists and 10 tackles for loss.

The Lamar County High School Trojans (3-5 overall, 1-3 in Region 3-AA) were defeated by Dodge County 38-0 last week. The team started the season with two wins before falling in overtime to Jackson High School.

Lamar County then lost to non-region foe Thomas County Central before falling to Washington County in its 2020 region opener. A lopsided victory against Southwest-Macon was followed by losses to region foes Bleckley County and Dodge County.

The Trojans have been led offensively by CJ Allen (50 carries for 424 yards and eight touchdowns), Devin Bateman (76 attempts for 487 yards with five scores) and Ty Jones (44 rushes for 218 yards and one score).

Bateman has also passed for 612 yards and five touchdowns. J Zellner is the team’s top receiver with 16 catches for 359 yards and four scores.

“We still have a lot to play for,” Jackson said. “We are just going one week at a game. Getting a win this Friday would be really big for us. We are not out of the playoff chase yet.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Hurricane Field.