​MONROE — The Jena Giants pulled off one of their biggest victories, ever.They faced two-time defending champion Sterlington on Dell Ashley Field on Friday, Sept. 11, a rematch of last year’s Division III nonselect finals. The Panthers bested Jena in that contest, as well as in the 2024 semifinals.But the third time was the charm for Jena against Sterlington. After trailing by two scores at the half, the Giants ripped off 20 unanswered points to defeat the Panthers 34-28.LHSAA football: Every Week 2 score involving the Monroe areaJena’s students and community rallied around their team all evening long, cheering as the clock hit triple zeroes. Down went Sterlington for the first time in program history.”It’s unmatched,” Jena coach Jay Roark said regarding the community support. “Wherever we go, we’re going to fill the visitor’s stands. When we’re home, it’s an unbelievable atmosphere. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate them. They really came through for us in the fourth quarter when we needed them.”The game’s turning point was sophomore Jonathan Willis’ fumble recovery in the final minutes. Jena (2-0) later scored the go-ahead touchdown with senior Daniel Hatcher’s third score of the contest.”When that happened, everybody got hyped, and we came back with our heads on straight,” Hatcher said on Willis’ big play. “We forgot about the last drive and just moved on to the next one.””It woke us up for sure,” Roark said. “He’s a young kid just learning how to play football a little bit at a time. He’s going to be a heck of a football player for us if he continues to improve.”Sterlington (1-1) wasn’t going away quietly. It scored on its first offensive play of the game for the second consecutive week as senior Shermarion Dismuke broke free for a long touchdown. Jena countered with Hatcher’s first touchdown of the game and took its first lead with junior Kaeden Kittlin’s house call on third-and-15.Kittlin also scored on fourth-and-goal to start the fourth quarter to shave Sterlington’s lead to one possession. But the Panthers regained momentum in the second after blocking a punt and recovering the ball in the endzone. Senior JRob Breen then found junior Landon Washington to extend Sterlington’s lead to two scores.Roark didn’t have to say a whole lot to his team at halftime. All the Giants had to do was clean up their mistakes and focus on their jobs.”We’ve been working since the offseason. We kept saying 365 days,” Kittlin said. “When we work hard, this is what happens when we get on the field.”Junior Jonas Jenkins continues to flourish under center for Jena, from making the big-time throws to extending plays with his legs. He played quarterback his freshman year before excelling as Jena’s top defensive back last fall. Jenkins also enjoys having Hatcher and Kittlin help take the weight off his shoulders in the offense.”It’s great,” Jenkins said. “We know if we give them the ball on any play, we know they’re going to score. They give out good blocks.”