With another dominant win over another district opponent last Friday night against Buckeye, the Jena Giants secured their second #1 ranking entering the playoffs in three years. They received a bye for the first round and will play the winner of #16 Avoyelles and #17 St. Helena College & Career Academy on Friday, November 21.
Their number one ranking
secures homefield advantage through the entire playoffs, until the state championship game set for Friday, December 12, at 3:30 p.m., at Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Giants finished up their regular season schedule this past Friday night as they traveled to Deville to take on the Buckeye Panthers. There would be a lot at stake for these two teams.
With a win for Buckeye they would be in the playoffs, but a loss would mean their season was over. For Jena the #1 seed would be on the line as they would look to have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a win.
The captains for the Giants would be seniors Sedrick Wilson, Cale Parker, Luke Smith, and Bubba Stevens. Buckeye would win the toss and would elect to receive the opening kickoff.
The Jena Giants defense has been playing very well lately and came into this game after a great performance against Caldwell where they only gave up 6 points in the game. Once again, they would get off to a great start as they would force a punt on three drives in the first half. They would also get an interception from middle linebacker Kayson Dean.
The Jena Giants offense has been unstoppable all year and it would be more of the same on this night. The Giants would score touchdowns on their first 7 drives of the game. The Giants would score quick on this night as their longest drive of the game was only 6 plays.
The Giants would get touchdown passes from Deuce McPherson to Zadrien Cooper and Adrian Sharp in the first quarter. They would also get two 60yard touchdown runs from Daniel Hatcher to put the Giants up 32-0 in the first quarter. In the second quarter the Giants would get another touchdown pass from McPherson to Cooper and a 64-yard touchdown run from Sedrick Wilson to take a 46-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half both teams agreed to shorten the time of the quarters to eight minutes. The Giants would add a 43-yard touchdown run by Kaeden Kittlin and would go on to win 52-0.
With the win the Giants finish the regular season with a 9-1 record and 5-0 in district play. The Giants would be district champions for the 13th time in school history and the 8th time under head coach Jay Roark.
In the game for the Giants, Deuce McPherson finished 4-4 for 129 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Daniel Hatcher finished with 2 carries for 128 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. Sedrick Wilson finished with 7 carries for 100 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. Zadrien Cooper had 2 receptions for 49 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Cale Parker also had a reception for 55 yards.
Leading the Giants defense was Cash Richerson and Parker Durham who both had 4 tackles in the game. Richerson also had 2 tackles for loss and Durham had a tackle for loss and a sack.
The Giants are now the #1 seed in the playoffs and will receive a bye in the first round. The Giants will play the winner of #17 St. Helena at #16 Avoyelles. The winner of that game will have to travel to Jena in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
It is the best time of the year as it is playoff time so everyone get ready because as long as the Giants continue to win then their will be games at Guy Campbell Memorial Stadium.
So, clear your schedule on Fridays and plan on being there to cheer on the Giants as they start their playoff run.
