In a game that featured torrential rain, multiple lightning delays, and a back-and-forth battle, the Jones County Greyhounds came up just short Friday night, falling 20–16 to the Woodland-Stockbridge Wolfpack in their Region 2-AAAA opener.
Both teams entered the game 1–0, with Woodland quarterback Braden Rogers ranked No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns responsible for with seven. Rogers wasted no time showing why, capping the Wolfpack’s opening drive with a four-yard rushing score to put Woodland ahead 7–0 midway through the first quarter.
Weather struck shortly after. A lightning delay lasting over an hour halted play with 3:44 left in the first quarter, just after Jones County turned the ball over on downs at their own 41-yard line. When play resumed, momentum shifted in dramatic fashion.
Hunter Hardwick, Jones County’s standout linebacker, became the spark plug for the Greyhounds. After recovering a first-half fumble, Hardwick intercepted Rogers and returned it 55 yards for a pick-six, giving Jones County an 8–7 lead following a successful two-point conversion run by Jaden “Pretty Boy” Johnson.
But Woodland answered immediately. On the ensuing kickoff, Dallas Fishback raced 84 yards up the middle untouched to put the Wolfpack back in front, 14–8. Jones County responded with a quick drive of their own, as Travis Miller barreled into the end zone from three yards out. A two-point conversion pass from Cayson Taylor to Zaire Jones gave the Greyhounds a 16–14 edge heading into halftime.
The second half turned into a defensive struggle. After a series of punts by both teams, Woodland pieced together the game’s decisive drive – an 18-play, 80-yard march that chewed up nearly eight minutes of clock. Rogers finished it off with a two-yard touchdown run on fourth down, giving the Wolfpack a 20–16 lead with just six minutes remaining.
Jones County mounted one final push. Starting at their own 24-yard line, Taylor hit Caden Gilmore on a 51-yard strike down the right seam to set the Greyhounds up deep in Woodland territory. Facing fourth-and-three at the eight-yard line, the Greyhounds came up two yards short on a run off right tackle, turning the ball over with 2:33 left. Rogers sealed the win with a first-down scramble, allowing Woodland to run out the clock.
Defensive Player of the Game: Hunter Hardwick – fumble recovery, 55-yard pick-six, multiple tackles. Recognized as the Trico Go High Speed Player of the Game.
Offensive Player of the Game: Travis Miller – physical north-south runner, one rushing touchdown.
With the loss, Jones County falls to 1–1 overall and 0–1 in region play, while Woodland-Stockbridge improves to 2–0 and 1–0 in the region.
The Greyhounds will look to rebound next week when they travel to face the Hampton Tigers in their second region matchup of the season.
