1980 Season

Head Coach:  Frank Brocato

Assistant Coaches: Chuck Boyles, Tom O’Kelly, Ted McKee

Overall Record:  4 – 6

1980 Season Summary

Jena completed the 1980 season with a 4–6 overall record and a 3–3 finish in District 3-AAA.

The Giants opened the season with losses at Block and at home against Vidalia. In the third game, Jena earned a 21–0 win over Buckeye, claiming their first win of the season. Maurice Worthington accounted for the offense on the ground, and the shutout marked Jena’s first win since the 1978 season.

A week later, Jena followed with a 19–6 district win at Pineville, moving above .500 for the first time that year. Worthington again carried much of the rushing load, while quarterback Deshon Jenkins directed the offense as Jena built an early lead and controlled the game.

Jena then dropped a 20–18 district decision to Peabody, a game defined by turnovers late in the fourth quarter. Alex Rhodes scored on a fumble return, and Dennis Breland added a punt return touchdown, but Peabody capitalized on late possessions to pull out the win.

The Giants rebounded with a 22–8 road victory at Ferriday, overcoming an 8–0 halftime deficit. Worthington rushed for over 100 yards, Jenkins scored twice on the ground, and Johnny Addison sealed the outcome with a fourth-quarter interception return touchdown. The win moved Jena to 2–1 in district play.

Jena returned home the following week and lost 7–6 to Winnsboro in a weather-shortened game. Maurice Worthington set up the Giants’ lone score with a long run on the opening possession, but a missed conversion proved decisive after Winnsboro scored in the third quarter.

District play continued with a 19–0 loss to Marksville, which limited Jena to nine first downs. Linebacker Teal Dick was credited with a high tackle total and an interception, but Marksville scored in each of the final three quarters to take control.

Jena’s playoff hopes ended the next week with a 14–7 loss at Tioga. Worthington scored Jena’s only touchdown in the third quarter to tie the game, but Tioga answered on the ensuing possession and held the lead the rest of the way.

The season concluded with a 13–7 overtime win over Menard, evening Jena’s district record at 3–3. Worthington opened the scoring in the first quarter and surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season. After Menard tied the game in the fourth quarter, Steve Nash scored on a five-yard bootleg in overtime to secure the victory.

Jena finished the year with four wins, including three district victories, and several games decided by one possession, as documented in local newspaper coverage.

# - Homecoming

(D) - District Game

Previous Season          1980s          Next Season