Hurricanes Earn Season’s First Win

The Jasper County-Monticello High School Hurricanes have faced their share of adversity in 2020.

Coach Rydell Jackson, however, has stressed to his players the importance of not giving up and to keep working each day in practice. That approach paid dividends last week as the Canes went on the road and recorded a 30-6 victory against the Greene County High School Tigers.

The Hurricanes (1-3 overall) had its best offensive showing their the season and were able to get on track after tough outings in previous weeks.

“The win meant a lot,” Jackson said. “The players really needed it. They have continued to fight hard even after three losses. Getting the win was a much-needed confidence builder.”

Both teams were in a similar position for the season leading into last week’s contest.

“Both teams really needed a win but I am glad we got it,” Jackson said. “My hat goes off to our players and coaching staff. They really hung in there and kept battling.”

It was a strong defensive effort for the Hurricanes as they limited the Tigers to just four first downs.

“Our outside linebackers and defensive ends have played pretty well this season,” Jackson said. “It was just an overall team effort. Our defensive was strong and our offense picked up the pace. We had a chance for even more points and we will need to makes sure we take advantage of all of our scoring opportunities moving forward.”

Shamarian Greene rushed for 150 yards on 29 carries against Greene County with three touchdowns. He now has 306 yards for the season with four scores.

Mac Barton passed for 95 yards and a touchdown in the win. Jacarion Grier had five catches for 63 yards and a score last week.

Grier is also the team’s leading tackler with 23 solo stops and 10 assists. In the Greene County game, Grier has six solo tackles and an assist.

Cedrion Stone had four solo tackles last week and now has 27 total for the first four games. Brandon Ridley recorded three solo stops and two assists in Friday’s win and has 10 solo and 14 assists for the season.

The Hurricanes are now set to begin play in Region 3-AA. It is a new region with new opponents this fall for JC-MHS.

Jackson’s team opens region competition against Southwest High School on the road this Friday. The Patriots are 1-1 overall posting a non-region win against Randolph-Clay (39-6) before falling to Class AAAA Westside-Macon (35-6.)

In addition to Jasper County-Monticello and Southwest, Region 3-AA features Bleckley County, Dodge County, Lamar County. Northeast and Washington County.

The games with Bleckley, Lamar, and Washington counties are home contests for the Canes with the other region contests on the road.

“Southwest is very athletic,” Jackson said. “They have a very good quarterback who operates their spread offense. They will throw the football some but really like to run power and counter plays. We have seen enough of that this season that we should be prepared for it. They have good receivers as well. We will have to pressure their quarterback and force him to make bad throws.”

Injuries have taken a toll on the Hurricanes in 2020. Jackson said multiple players have been lost for the season although he hopes one injured player can return in the region opener.

“Without having a preseason, I feel like we have worked out some kinks now,” the coach said. “We have some people playing in different spots but if they continue to do what they have been then I think things will go well this Friday as we begin region play.”

Kickoff against the Patriots will be Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Macon. See related story of entry guidelines.