Hurricane warning

Hurricane warning

First- place Jonesboro at Hamilton- Shultz on Friday

WM School District Jonesboro brings its offensive juggernaut into Hamilton-Shultz Field Friday night, and the results may be dizzying.

For not only do the Hurricane average a whopping 56 points per game after six weeks, but it also gives up a bunch, too.

Jonesboro opponents average 34.3 points per game against the Hurricane defense.

Kickoff for the tilt is set for 7 p.m.

'No question they're explosive,' West Memphis head coach Billy Elmore said of Jonesboro (6-0 overall, 3-0 in the 6A-East Conference). 'Offensively, we haven't seen anybody like them yet. They run well and they've got some big offensive linemen. And the quarterback does a good job of delivering the ball.'

And when the ball is delivered it usually goes to wide receiver Jonathan Adams Jr., who already has already accumulated 761 receiving yards.

Adams, the son of former Osceola star running back by the same name, has a hard verbal commitment to Arkansas State.

'Everybody talks about Adams, but they've got another player who's just as fast and that's (Jakaylen Brown),' Elmore added.

'It'll be a big challenge for our defense.'

With all the offensive accolades, however, come some shoddy defensive work by the Hurricane.

The Blue Devils (4-2, 2-1) bring an offense that's geared toward a grind-itout mentality with big running back Devonte Dean leading the way.

Not built for the big play, the Blue Devils hope to replicate some of the success Pine Bluff had against Jonesboro in last week's 41-34 loss by the Zebras.

'Pine Bluff had some long drives against (Jonesboro),' said Elmore.

'But I think Pine Bluff feels like it left some points out on the field after that one.'

At times the Jonesboro offense's quick-strike tendencies put its defense at risk.

'They are on the field quite a bit by the end of a game,' Elmore said of the Hurricane defense.

The Blue Devils won't necessarily try and shorten the game by grinding it out more than usual on offense.

'I think you just have to do what you do best,' said Elmore. 'You have to work at the pace your kids are used to working at. We don't huddle, but we're not really a hurry-up, no-huddle team. I will say, though, that we're not a quick-scoring offense, so that might work to our advantage.'

The Blue Devils scored quick and often against an out-manned Little Rock Hall team last week in a 51-0 shellacking.

Junior quarterback Amaurius Stinnett appears to be more at ease and confident behind center and the offense's efficiency has born that out.

'Our offense is playing better,' said 'Elmore. 'We still make a few mistakes as far as penalties go and each week that's important.

It'll be important again this week to stay away from the unforced penalties.'

By Billy Woods