Jonesboro 31, Catholic 14

Jonesboro 31, Catholic 14

JONESBORO — Jonesboro leaned on tempo and a bruising ground game to turn a tight first half into a 31-14 win over Catholic on Friday. Senior tailback T.J. Brown ripped off a 50-yard bolt and added two short plunges, while junior back K’Den Hawkins powered in from the 1 as the Hurricane seized control out of halftime. Quarterback Asa Myers directed the no‑huddle efficiently, mixing quick perimeter throws with inside zone to keep the Rockets on their heels.

Catholic answered early behind junior quarterback Phillips Blair, who muscled in a fourth‑and‑goal keeper and later zipped a 14‑yard strike to junior receiver C.J. Obert to pull within 24‑14 with 6:47 left. The Rockets protected well for stretches, springing Blair on designed keepers and freeing receivers Elliot Lovell, Hunter Markham and Guy Webb on underneath concepts and boundary shots. Senior defensive back Hayden Roaf flipped field position with a weaving kickoff return in the second quarter, and punter Markham repeatedly angled kicks to the sideline to pin Jonesboro deep.

Jonesboro’s front, anchored by junior end/tight end Will Marlin and tackle Jahvon Hare, generated a key third‑quarter sack and steady interior push. Defensive back Jaques Jordan and the secondary limited explosives, and the Hurricane special teams tilted the field with pooch kickoffs. For Catholic, linebacker Brock Hatchett helped spearhead an early fourth‑down stop and senior Mason Emmerling broke up multiple throws. Both teams entered 2‑3; Jonesboro’s defense made the lasting adjustments after halftime, while Catholic found rhythm but ran short on possessions.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Jonesboro – 24-yard FG, JHS 3-0.

2nd Quarter
Catholic – Phillips Blair 1 run (Linkoln Perez kick), CHS 7-3.
Jonesboro – K’Den Hawkins 1 run (kick good), JHS 10-7.

3rd Quarter
Jonesboro – T.J. Brown 5 run (kick good), JHS 17-7.
Jonesboro – T.J. Brown 50 run (kick good), JHS 24-7.

4th Quarter
Catholic – C.J. Obert 14 pass from Phillips Blair (Linkoln Perez kick), JHS 24-14
Jonesboro – T.J. Brown 1 run (kick good), JHS 31-14.

Players Who Stood Out

• T.J. Brown (RB, Jonesboro) — three rushing TDs.

• Asa Myers (QB, Jonesboro) — poised in no‑huddle, chain-mover.

• Will Marlin (TE/DE, Jonesboro) — sack, steady edge presence.

• Phillips Blair (QB, Catholic) — rushing TD and TD pass.

• Mason Emmerling (CB/OLB, Catholic) — multiple breakups, active in coverage.