1948 Season

1948 Season Summary

The 1948 season was an early chapter in the history of Jena High School football and reflected a program still finding its footing against more established opponents. The Giants completed the season with a 5–4 record, showing periods of competitiveness along with clear limitations typical of a young program.

Jena opened the season with a 37–6 win over Farmerville, followed by a 25–7 victory over Sicily Island. Early offensive production came primarily from the running game, with Lamar Poole, Bubba Bailey, and Junior Hailey frequently mentioned in contemporary accounts. Donnie Sheppard handled quarterback duties, while linemen such as Doyle Carter, Conrad Girlinghouse, James Price, Kem Gryder, and Junior Smith were regularly cited for their roles up front.

The Giants’ first loss came on the road against Delhi, a more experienced team that defeated Jena 28–7. Jena responded the following week with a 26–0 shutout of Olla-Standard, the team’s most lopsided win of the season. Touchdowns by Poole and Bailey and extra points by Rex Andrews highlighted a game in which Jena controlled play throughout.

Jena and Sicily Island met again later in the season. According to the 1948 Jena High School yearbook, the Giants won the rematch 32–6, completing a season sweep of the Tigers. No detailed newspaper recap of the game has been located.

Midseason games against Block High School of Jonesville and Rayville resulted in narrow losses. Jena fell to Block 19–13 in a heavily attended home game and lost to Rayville 12–7 the following week. Injuries, including the temporary loss of Andrews, forced lineup adjustments, with players such as Vance Cupples, James Stone, Johnny Hill, T. W. Terral, and Gerald Davis taking on expanded responsibilities. In the Rayville game, Jena led in first downs but was unable to overcome early mistakes.

The Giants closed the season with an 18–13 road win at Newellton, one of the more complete performances of the year. Touchdowns by James Stone and Rex Andrews, along with key contributions from Poole and Sheppard, helped Jena secure the victory. Defensively, Carter, Girlinghouse, Smith, and Andrews were noted for their play.

The final game of the season doubled as Jena’s first homecoming, played against rival Winnfield. The Giants were defeated 27–7 by a Winnfield team that finished the season 9–2. Despite the loss, the game marked a milestone for the school, drawing a large crowd and formalizing football’s growing presence in the Jena community.

Over nine games, Jena scored 166 points and allowed 89. The season included wins and losses typical of a developing program, with competitive efforts against established opponents and uneven results week to week. The 1948 team laid an early foundation for Jena High School football, contributing names, records, and documented results that remain part of the program’s historical record.