jhshyphen

Red Devils travel to Kokomo to compete tonight

The offensive line snaps the ball to junior Benji Rice for an attempt at a touchdown against the Seymour Owls. The Red Devils won 20-6, picking up the first win of the season. They lost to Bedford-North Lawrence last week, and head to Kokomo to compete tonight. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by Austin Bainbridge

Jeff came out of Bedford North Lawrence with a loss but is still looking forward to tonight against Kokomo to redeem themselves and get back to .500.

“I’m excited to see what their defense has to offer against us, and I’m ready to get another win,” said fullback Jaxx Long.

Kokomo had five turnovers last week, resulting in a 22-15 loss to Monrovia, and Jeff is going try to find a way to exploit that.

“Fine-tuning our defensive scheme, make sure everybody’s in the same place they need to be and knowing who exactly their supposed to cover in zone coverage and just trying to get some of those picks is crucial,” said head coach Joe Washington.

Against BNL Jeff had some defensive trouble, allowing 48 points, and Kokomo has the players to put up a similar performance.

“Kokomo has a receiver, number four (Baris Moore) — he’s pretty dynamic. He’s a good go-ball receiver and double move guy. He’s just bigger, faster and stronger than our other opponents,” said Washington.

Despite the defensive struggle, the Red Devils had a solid offensive game that they look to build on.

“As coaches we ran the ball effectively. Our RPO’s looked good, but the main thing was even though the score might have not indicated it we didn’t give up,” said Washington.

Coming out with the loss to BNL, Jeff is trying to to analyze what could have gone differently.

“I think the offense was very inconsistent. We had big drives, but then couldn’t do anything the next (drive). That then puts the defense in a bad place where they couldn’t do anything either,” said Long.

Despite what both teams’ records suggest, this is still a competitive matchup to measure where both teams can go with the rest of the season.

“If you combine both records it’s 1-5, so that’s not good, but there’s something to be said when a team schedules you as their homecoming, so that’s them saying they think they can beat us, but were ready to show them who we are,” said Washington

12 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Seniors decorate parking lot spaces to reveal interests and personalities

All photos by Kaleb Baker. Interviews by Abbigail Hollins.

Senior Litzy Rubio: “I’ve always had the idea of minions making it to my parking spot because I think they’re cute and wanted to incorporate them.” Photo by Kaleb Baker.

12 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Performing arts prepare for year of performances and events

by Abbigail Hollins and Aurora Grisham

From voices to instruments to improv, the JHS arts has much to offer those who are musically inclined. While the performances highlight the many talents of the students here, the process of joining each class begins much before the performances do.

To begin a musical journey into choir, music education and choral teacher Kyle Broady said students should talk with a counselor about joining. The requirements are simple for joining chorus class.

The choir practices for Gospelfest on August 11. Gospelfest will be performed next Thursday, Sept. 18. Photos by Aurora Grisham.

“For regular chorus, no skills are needed, although a past (with music) is helpful. Upper chorus, you have to qualify,” said Broady.

Students are required to be engaged during class. There are also times that students are required to stay after school to practice. However, with the chamber choir, the expectations are a bit higher because they are more experienced.

On Thursday, Sept. 18 Broady said the annual Gospelfest will be performed in the JHS auditorium. Additionally, On Dec. 9 and 11, there will be a Winter Fantasy performance with solo and ensemble musicians. In choir, students will be required to wear uniforms for performances, which consist of formal, black attire.

Continuing the journey into theater, theater arts teacher Derrick Ledbetter said to get into his class that students must audition. Ledbetter said the biggest skill to have in the theater experience is an open mind.

Ledbetter encourages students to rehearse and prepare for the JHS theatrical performances. In late October, theater students will perform “Once Upon a Mattress” and later in the year, they will perform “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

Finally, ending this journey going into band, music education and band teacher Sidney McDonald said most students participate in band during middle school and sign up when they choose classes for high school.

Band director Sidney McDonald shows her fourth-period band class how to keep tempo. Photo by Kaleb Baker.

“We’ve started a beginning band as well, for those who have never done band before,” said McDonald.

The teachers also offer extra help so that they can guide students.

“We have an open band room, which is after school on Wednesdays, so students can come work on any music they are struggling with,” she said.

10 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Cross country teams benefit from new course

Athletic director A.J. Moye with the Jeff High cross country team at Tuesday’s meet at Scottsburg. The boys’ placed seventh and the girls’ placed third. Photo by Sam Mull.

by Isabella Stewart

This year’s cross country season has started with a lot of teamwork, running, and introducing new team members who are running their hearts out on the cross country courses.

First, with the arrival of new athletic director A.J. Moye has helped support the team. He has helped build and support Jeff’s own cross country course.

Moye has driven through the course, making sure it’s safe for others, and has also just put a lot of time into making the course everything it needs to be.

Moye has shown up to regionals with the track team and has attended cross country practices, showing his love and support for this year’s cross country team.

Moye said he believes the most important part of his job is ¨to believe in the titles and the important roles that everyone plays¨ on their respective teams. He said pours himself into the kids and coaches lives and makes sure they know their value.

Two years ago, the cross country team only had one female athlete; last year, there were four, and that shows how much the cross country team has grown over the past year.

Senior runner Keira Jackson has made many friends and as she´s finishing her senior year one of the biggest things she wants people to know is “no matter how deep you’re in, there’s always an escape.”

Senior Keira Jackson runs to the finish line at the cross country meet in Scottsburg on Tuesday, Sept. 9. She placed 25th. Photo by Marcus Baker.

Jackson is currently striving to a 20-minute PR time.

Jackson really speaks highly about how coach Sam Mull has supported the team every step of the way, just as Moye has talked about.

Mull said he wants to “help improve each and every athlete on the team in their own ways.”

The cross country team recently had a fundraiser, and they raised over $2,035 dollars for their whole team.

Sophomore runner Marcus Baker talked about how he went to 6-7 different neighborhoods going door to door to help out with the fundraiser as much as he could.

The team has their first home meet Sept. 30 at their brand new cross country course.

This upcoming Thursday is XC Night at Bubba’s, in which a portion of purchases provides food, transportation, uniforms, awards, and gear for this year’s season.

Baker said,”We hope to see you there and Iḿ wishing this cross country season the best.”

10 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Marching band places third in their division at Columbus North, heads to Paoli this weekend

All photos by Kyra Gibson.

The flute section of marching band prepares for their performance at this weekend’s contest at Columbus North High School. Photo by Kyra Gibson.

9 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS travels to Bedford-North Lawrence tonight looking for season’s second victory

5 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils defeat Seymour 20-6 on Friday

JHS will face Bedford-North Lawrence this Friday

All photos by Magdalene Conrad.

Junior Nation Roe-McBroom holds back the Seymour defense to score a touchdown for the Red Devils. JHS defeated the Owls 20-6 and will face Bedford North-Lawrence this Friday. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

3 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Juice Box Heroes bring music to Jeffersonville Riverstage

Musicians brought their talent to the stage on August 15

All photos by Sophia Goforth.

Guitarist Kyle Reagan strums his guitar during sound check. Photo by Sophia Goforth.

3 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils look for season’s first win against Seymour tonight

by Austin Bainbridge

Seymour and Jeff are hunting for their first wins of the season, and everyone’s ready for the Friday Night Lights tonight.

“I’m super excited man counting the days down until Friday and just mentally preparing myself for Friday,” said head football coach Joe Washington.

Seymour showed some Week 1 slopiness last Friday in a 38-8 loss against Greenwood, throwing two interceptions.

Seniors Bryce Grant and Tyes McCondichie celebrate after a successful Red Devil play during the opening scrimmage two weeks ago. Tonight the Red Devils go for their first win of the season against Seymour. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

“I’m hoping that we’ll be able to get a lot of turnovers this week. If they throw the ball up I think we have the guys in the secondary to make plays and hopefully turn some of those picks into touchdowns,” said Washington.

Jeff is also out to a slow start after a 37-0 loss to Cincinnati Taft, and lost their starting quarterback Cordell Thomas. Sophomore Brayden Bachman will fill in.

“It’s Bachman’s first start, so you kind of expect there to be some jitters. We’re going to help him out with short passes and running the ball effectively,” said Washington.

Jeff has confidence in this game even after the loss to Taft.

“I expect a good game from Seymour, but we are the better team,” said sophomore tackle Jaxx Long.

Jeff is trying to find a silver lining in the loss from Taft.

“I would like the loss to influence us in a positive way. Even though there’s a lot of negativity around it, if they put it into perspective Taft is probably going to be the best team we’ll play until sectionals,” said Washington.

Seymour has several impact players that could turn the tide in their favor.

“Their running back number three (Traysean Hawkins) is a real shifty guy; he runs the ball hard, and they have an offensive linemen that has worked really hard. He’s lost 50 pounds this offseason, he’s a really big kid,” said Washington.

The team has been putting in work at practice all week and feel prepared for tonight.

“We have prepared a good defense and ran scout team all week so I’m confident for this game,” said Long.

Washington had been suspended for both the Madison scrimmage and Week one against Taft. Tonight is his first opportunity to be back on the field and he’s ready.

“I’m excited. It’s like having my boys around. I’m sick of not having my guys around, and it’s my happy place, you know,” said Washington.