Jena Giant Zerrick Jones (7) rushes for a touchdown while fellow Giant Zykerrik Hunter (1) clears the path during the game against Mangham on Friday in Mangham.
Jena Giant Zykerrik Hunter (1) makes a flying reception in the endzone to score for the Giants during the game against Mangham on Friday in Mangham.
Jena Giant Sedrick Wilson (5) takes down a Mangham Dragon to prevent a touchdown during the game against Mangham on Friday in Mangham.By Austin Whatley
The Jena Giants opened the 2022 season with a tough road trip this past Friday night as they traveled to Mangham, to take on the Dragons. These two teams met ten years ago in Mangham with the Dragons getting the win. That season, Mangham made it all the way to the class 1A state championship game and finished as state runner-ups. These days the Dragons are in class 2A and are still making long playoff runs. The Giants are a different program than the one ten years ago as they themselves are winning playoff games and district championships now. It would be a great test for both teams to see how they measure up. The captains for the Giants were Adarian Richardson, Trace Franklin, Noah Parker, and Brandon Williams. Mangham would win the toss and would defer to the second half.
The Giants would do an excellent job on their first drive as they would drive 35 yards in 14 plays to gain control of time of possession. The drive would end with a turnover on downs though.
Mangham would then march the ball deep into Jena territory before Jena linebacker Tristen Mc-Clendon would force a fumble that would go out of bounds out of the end zone giving the Giants the ball at the 20-yard line. The Giants would be unable to capitalize off of the turnover as they would turn the ball over on downs. Mangham would get the first score of the night as Jalen Williams would score from nine yards out to give Mangham an 8-0 lead.
The Giants would answer though on their next drive as Zerrick Jones would score on a 56-yard touchdown run. Zach Barker would then find Zy Hunter in the end zone for the two-point conversion to tie the game at eight.
Mangham would come right back with another Jalen Williams touchdown as this one was on a seven- yard run to give the Dragons a 14-8 lead. The Giants would then put together a clutch drive as Zach Barker would make some big time throws to get the Giants to the goal line.
With time counting down on fourth down, Barker would find Demariyon Hammock for a 13-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14 going into halftime.
In the second half it would be all Mangham as their defense would shutout the Giants in the second half. Williams would add another touchdown and the Dragons would score three times in the second half to go on to win 36-14. It was a hard-fought game for the Giants and a good early test to see where they matchup with a very good north Louisiana team. Zach Barker finished the game with 128 passing yards and one passing touchdown.
Zerrick Jones would lead the Giants on the ground with 93 rushing yards and one touchdown. Jones also had a catch for 36 yards. Demariyon Hammock led the Giants with four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Hammock also had six tackles in the ballgame. This week the Giants will have their home opener as the Leesville Wampus Cats come to town. It should be another great matchup this Friday night so everyone come out and show the boys from Leesville the great Jena atmosphere.
Kickoff will be at 7:00 pm. If you can’t make it to the game, then you can tune in to 102.7 KJNA to hear all the live action starting at 6:00 with the pregame show. If you are not in the listening area then you can tune in on the MIXLR app by searching for KJNAFM or go online at www.mixlr. com/kjnafm
