Jones County scores 42 unanswered points in the second half to advance to semifinals

Jones County looked to be reeling heading into halftime. The Greyhounds lost starting quarterback Hunter Costlow at the end of the first quarter and allowed 14 unanswered points to go into halftime down 14-7 to Griffin in the GHSA AAAAA playoffs.

The Greyhounds fans watched as their team looked to be on the brink of elimination. But a second-half scoring explosion aided by Costlow’s return would save the Greyhounds season as they topped Griffin 49-14.

Jones County coach Mike Chastain said the team didn’t panic at the half.

“There was no big halftime speech. Just go out and play four quarters,” Chastain said. “(Costlow) came back, and he played great in the second half. I am just proud of him.”

Jones County’s Maleek Wooten caught the second-half kickoff and broke left up the sideline. Wooten would use his speed to tie the score at 14.

Defensive back Jitavius Whipple would intercept Darshaveious Foster to set up the Greyhounds for a go-ahead score.

Costlow would find wide receiver Jontavis Robertson for the go-ahead score. Costlow said it was good to get back out on the field after the shoulder injury.

“I trusted the guys when I was out. They are going to do what they do. That’s how we got here in the first place. I don’t make the whole team,” Costlow said. “Once we got our tempo going, we knew they couldn’t keep up with us.”

The momentum shifted to the Greyhounds, and they took advantage by going with an onside kick.

Jones County went with a trick play to capitalize on the extra possession as Robertson found Costlow on a wide receiver pass. Chastain said that those two plays helped flip the game.

“Those were two big plays for us,” Chastain said. “The offensive staff, they do a great job man. They just dialed them up at the right time. I am proud of them.”

The Jones County defense would turn up the intensity as the game went on. It didn’t allow a single score in the second half and forced four interceptions, including one that was returned 70 yards for a touchdown by Dominic Bass.

Costlow said that the defense sometimes gets overshadowed by the offense, but it has been a key to the team’s success in the playoffs.

“I think it fuels them when people talk about them,” Costlow said. “They are that good of a defense. They keep us in games.”

Next up for Jones County is Buford. Buford knocked off Carrollton 24-21 to advance to the semifinals. Chastain said that the Greyhounds are taking each round one game at a time.

“Just be 1-0. That is all we are working on,” Chastain said. “Win each day and just go as hard as we can go.”

Chastain is in his first year as the coach of the Greyhounds and has them one win away from the title game. Chastain is coming off of back-to-back state-title game appearances as the head coach for Warner Robins.

“It is awesome. The guys are great,” Chastain said. “It is easy to coach good players like what we got.”