Story, photos, and video by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson

For Jonesboro’s “Hurricane Hits” Homecoming Week, the Golden Hurricane played Little Rock Catholic after a week of events.

With dress up days throughout the week, a parade on Wednesday followed by the seniors vs juniors and sophomores Powderpuff matchup, a pep rally on Friday afternoon and then a dance following the football matchup against Catholic, the Hurricane schedule was packed. 

Hurricane Homecoming  celebrated all things music: From hip hop to country to rock to headliners. Just in time for gameday, the Golden Hurricane ended the week off with a black and gold theme.

The parade, which took place on Wednesday instead of the usual Friday, blocked off Main Street in Jonesboro for the entirety of Jonesboro Public Schools.

The Jonesboro band led the parade with Cane the mascot not far behind. 

The Kindergarten Center brought their Taylor Swift “Showgirl” themed float, Visual and Performing Arts had a country themed float. The cheer and dance teams walked the route and the Jonesboro High theatre troupe entered the parade and promoted their upcoming play, “Peter and the Starcatcher.” 

The Homecoming Court wrapped up the parade, riding in style at the end of the route. 

Later that day, the senior class took home the victory against the underclassmen in the annual Powderpuff match.

The pep rally would headline the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen after presenting the Homecoming Court for the second time that week and performances from the Jonesboro band and spirit squads. 

Homecoming Day came on Friday with a parking lot full and Hurricane alumni packing the stands, hoping to see a win from their alma mater.

And a win is what the Jonesboro fans got.

Getting their first back-to-back win since October of 2023, the Golden Hurricane played like they had something to prove.

“It’s Homecoming Week. There’s a lot going on. But I thought our kids did a good job of staying focused for the most part. It was a good week of practice and I thought they were ready to come out and perform,” Jonesboro head coach Tyler George said. “We really challenged them. You have people coming back from almost every decade. You have to perform and put a show on for them and they did that tonight.”

After a defensive first quarter where a field goal by Jonesboro kicker Alex Glomski, offense showed more in the second, Catholic scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the quarter off a quarterback keeper.

Jonesboro would score with three minutes to go in the half after running back K’Den Hawkins ran fifteen yards and proceeded to run it in for a touchdown on the next play, giving Jonesboro the lead back going into half.

The Golden Hurricane decided to go for it on fourth and seven on Catholic’s 36 yard line, too far to kick a field goal and too close to feel the need to punt.

It worked out for the Golden Hurricane, however, after wide receiver Jaylen Heard gave them a first down and running back TJ Brown would break free at the five yard line to give Jonesboro another touchdown. 

Catholic would have a turnover on downs on their next drive, trying and failing to repeat what Jonesboro had just done. 

Jonesboro was given the ball at their 44 yard line but wouldn’t be there for long as on the first play of the drive, Brown would complete a 56 yard run, breaking multiple tackles from defenders, to give Jonesboro his second touchdown of the quarter. 

It would go back to defense for both teams for the last four minutes of the quarter. A hard hitting block by Catholic cornerback Walt Menefee against Jonesboro wide receiver Kamari Fisher would give them the ball back. 

However, an interception by Jonesboro defensive back Clarence Mucherson, his third interception of the year, at the Golden Hurricane 8 yard line would bring in the final quarter of Homecoming Night. 

Catholic would score their second touchdown of the night after multiple quarterback keepers by Phillips Blair on their first drive of the fourth would get them to the goal line before Blair would throw to middle linebacker Brock Hatchett for the score. 

“We didn’t want the quarterback to beat us,” George said. “He’s a phenomenal player. Can really beat you with his legs and his arm. We lost contain on him but for the most part of the night, I thought we did a really good job at keeping him contained and not letting him beat us with his legs.”

After having the lead be cut to only 14, Jonesboro would run down the clock while getting enough first downs to get downfield and score after a five minute drive. Brown would get his third touchdown of the night on a fourth and three at the goal line.

“I wanted to kick the field. The kids wanted to go for it. Really challenged them. I put my trust in them and they got it. And then they let me know about it after,” George said. “Sometimes you gotta let the kids play, and that’s what we did right there. And it paid off for us big.”

A kickoff return that hit Catholic receivers in the helmet would be recovered by Jonesboro at Catholic’s 21 yard line. However, Jonesboro quarterback Asa Myers would take a knee to end the game, securing a 31-14 victory for the Golden Hurricane.

The Golden Hurricane would improve to 3-3 and 2-1 in conference on Homecoming Night. 

Jonesboro moves on to play at Marion on Oct 17 while 2-4 Catholic plays Sheridan at home.