By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
For the second straight week the Tioga Indians find themselves in a battle of undefeated teams.
Last week’s game at Marksville did not live up to the hype and was over at halftime before the Indians won 42-14.
This week the Indians welcome Jena to The Reservation for a game that should provide a much more competitive contest.
Tioga vs. Jena has developed into a good non-district rivalry for both teams. Jay Roark took over the Jena program in 2012. Three years later, Kevin Cook arrived at Tioga, and that was the year the two teams first played during this recent run of the rivalry.
The Indians and Giants have squared off six times over the past eight seasons – they didn’t play in 2017-18 – with each team going 3-3. The Giants have won the past two contests, however, winning 14-7 in 2021 and 22-6 last season.
“It’s a good measuring stick for both teams,” Roark said.
“We just haven’t won it, and I’m sick of it,” Cook said of the past two matchups. “I want to win it. I’m tired of losing to Jay.”
Cook said Jena presents “a bad matchup” for the Indians because of how big they are up front and how rugged they are in their running attack.
Senior Zerrick Jones leads the Giants with 755 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the season, and he’s averaging seven yards per carry. Cameron Koch (61-232) gets about 35 percent of the Giants’ rushes, but the bulk of the load is carried by Jones.
“He’s clearly the guy for us,” Roark said. “We try to be as equal as we can be between our backs, but when we need a play he’s the guy that we look to. He’s gotten a lot stronger and is breaking some tackles this year.”
The Giants don’t throw the ball often. Zach Barker has completed 12 of 34 passes for 279 yards and two TDs on the season, but when the Giants connect via the air, it usually ends in a big play. Jena is averaging over 23 yards per completion, and they have a couple of capable receivers in Zy Hunter (6-141-1) and Brayden Oakes (4-113-1).
“You’re not gonna trick ‘em,” Cook said. “They are super disciplined. Their kids play good technique. They do a great job of play-calling. They just do everything right. You’re dependent on catching some breaks.”
Tioga’s defense presents its own set of challenges for the Giants, however. The Indians’ secondary has picked off 12 passes on the season and returned seven of them for touchdowns, led by three each from senior free safety Ja’Corian Norris and senior cornerback Max Kadrmas.
The Indians have pitched two shutouts in four games and given up just 42 points on the season, with 14 of those coming against the backups last week after building a 42-0 lead over Marksville.
“We’re very aware of how good they are in the secondary,” Roark said. “They’ve got good corners and their safeties are really good, especially (Norris), obviously. We’re gonna have to be able to complete some passes. We know they’re gonna be keyed up on stopping Zerrick and the run game.”
Tioga’s offense hasn’t needed to be super productive because the defense has been so dominant. Junior Travis Adams has averaged nearly 110 rushing yards per game over the past three weeks after missing the first game due to illness, and sophomore Cace Malone has been steady in his first year as the starting quarterback.
The passing game features Norris and fellow seniors Josh Loyd and Bradley Riccardi, all of whom are capable of making big plays and waiting for their opportunities to do so offensively.
Cook said he expects this game to be a great battle, one that could be decided by which team makes a mistake or gets a lucky break.
“Jena has been doing the same thing the same way for a really long time, and it works for them every year,” Cook said.
“They’re a tough team, and we’re aware of that,” Roark said. “It’s not gonna make or break us, but it’s one we really want to win.”
Alexandria Senior High and Pineville are both holding Homecoming festivities this week as the Trojans (2-2) host Green Oaks (1-3) and the Rebels (1-3) welcome Jonesboro-Hodge (2-2).
Menard (2-2) is the only other parish team playing at home this week, as the Eagles welcome Opelousas Catholic (1-3) to The Nest.
Peabody (3-1), Buckeye (3-1), Bolton (0-4) and Northwood-Lena (0-4) all hit the road tonight. The Warhorses travel to Washington-Marion (1-3), the Panthers face Grant (2-2), the Bears play at Block (0-4) and the Gators will battle North Central (1-3).