In a game that had everything from trick plays and turnovers to overtime heroics, the Jones County Greyhounds spoiled McDonough’s 2025 homecoming with a 27–24 victory Friday night.
McDonough struck early after Jones County’s gamble on a fake punt failed on the game’s opening drive. Taking over near midfield, the Warhawks needed just three plays before AJ Tillman Jr. broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run to make it 7–0. Moments later, linebacker Dante Moore Jr. intercepted a slant pass at the Greyhounds’ 24-yard line. On the very next play, Tillman added a second rushing touchdown, putting McDonough up 14–0 with 7:19 still left in the first quarter.
Jones County answered with an 80-yard drive capped by a six-yard scoring run from Bruno Hicks. The Greyhounds’ two-point try failed, cutting the deficit to 14–6. Their defense then flipped the momentum when a botched McDonough snap led to a 20-yard loss and turnover on downs. Capitalizing, quarterback Casen Taylor found J.R. Clark for a four-yard touchdown, and the PAT made it 14–13 midway through the second quarter.
The defenses held firm the rest of the half, sending McDonough to the locker room with a slim one-point lead.
The Warhawks extended that edge early in the third quarter when quarterback Xavier Sinkfield connected with Aryious McKnight for a six-yard touchdown, making it 21–13. But Jones County’s Junior Holloway electrified the visiting crowd with a 98-yard kickoff return down the left sideline for a touchdown. Taylor then hit Drew Williams for a two-point conversion to even the score at 21–21 with 7:35 left in the third.
From there, the game tightened into a defensive struggle. Both teams traded turnovers on downs and punts, with neither offense able to deliver the knockout blow. Late in regulation, Jones County’s defense came up big again when Zaire Jones intercepted a pass with under a minute left, setting up a potential game-winning 48-yard field goal. But the kick sailed wide left, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, McDonough settled for a 31-yard field goal to take a 24–21 lead. But the Greyhounds would not be denied. On second down from the seven, running back Kaden Canty powered straight up the middle for the walk-off touchdown, sealing a 27–24 victory. Jones County improves to 5-2, 4-2.
Greyhound Game Honors
• Tri-Co-Go Hi-Speed Play of the Game:
Junior Holloway’s 98-yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter.
• Offensive Player of the Game:
J.R. Clarke — hauled in key third-down conversions and a touchdown to fuel the Greyhound comeback.
• Defensive Player of the Game:
Zaire Jones — delivered a critical interception late in regulation to set up a potential game-winner.
Next Week
The Greyhounds return home to host Eagles Landing Christian Academy (2–3, 2–4), awaiting the outcome of ELCA’s matchup with Eagles Landing High School. McDonough will look to regroup in region play as the race tightens heading into October.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
• 7:36 — McDonough: AJ Tillman Jr. 38-yard TD run (PAT good), McDonough 7–0
• 7:19 — McDonough: AJ Tillman Jr. 24-yard TD run (PAT good), McDonough 14–0
• 2:39 — Jones Co.: Bruno Hicks 6-yard TD run (2-pt try failed), McDonough 14–6
2nd Quarter
• 8:18 — Jones Co.: Casen Taylor 4-yard TD pass to J.R. Clark-Watson (PAT good), McDonough 14–13
3rd Quarter
• 7:49 — McDonough: Xavier Sinkfield 6-yard TD pass to Aryious McKnight (PAT good), McDonough 21–13
• 7:35 — Jones Co.: Junior Holloway 98-yard kickoff return TD (Taylor pass to Drew Williams for 2-pt conversion), Tied 21–21
4th Quarter
• No scoring (Zaire Jones interception set up missed 48-yard FG attempt by Jones Co.)
Overtime
• McDonough: 31-yard FG, McDonough 24–21
• Jones Co.: Kaden Canty 7-yard TD run, Jones Co. wins 27–24
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