On a very cold Friday night in late October, Johnson Central made the trip to Ashland to take on Ashland Blazer for the district crown and to see who would have the top seed heading into the playoffs. Past few years have seen these two teams battle it out with one team winning by a small margin, this however was not a small margin as Johnson Central would rout Ashland 42-7 and claim the team’s second straight district title and claim the one seed in the playoffs.

 

Johnson Central would be the first to draw blood as they score on a 15 yard touchdown run by Jordan Young. Johnson Central’s extra point kick would fail. Going into the second quarter Johnson Central lead 6-0. Johnson Central’s defense would stand tall as they would force Ashland to punt from their own 26. Johnson Central would take over at midfield. Doesn’t take Johnson Central long to score again, this time on a 38 yard touchdown pass from Zach Gound to Dalton Adkins. Zach Gound’s two point conversion pass to Truman Salyer would be successful and with 11:24 left to go in the second quarter, Johnson Central lead 14-0. Ashland would hold the ball for the rest of the 11:24 and come up with nothing even tho they had 1^st & goal from the Johnson Central 9. Golden Eagles take a 14-0 lead into halftime.

 

Johnson Central would get the ball to start the second half. Johnson Central returns the kickoff to their own 22 and go to 2 & 9 then the pass gets intercepted by Ashland’s Miles McGranahan and returned to Johnson Central’s 41, Johnson Central would get called for a personal foul, 15 more yards added on to the interception, Ashland’s ball at Johnson Central’s 26. Wouldn’t take long for Ashland to score as they score on a 30 yard touchdown run by Quentin Baker, Robert Welsey’s extra point kick would be successful cutting the Johnson Central lead to 14-7. Johnson Central, however, would answer on the kickoff as Bryce Workman would return it 77 yards to the house for the Johnson Central touchdown, Tyler Pack would make the extra point kick, making it 21-7 Golden Eagles with 10:20 left in the 3^rd. Johnson Central’s defense would stand tall forcing Ashland to punt from their own 39. After the fair catch was called, Johnson Central would take over at their own 28. Jordan Young would score from 7 yards out, Young would get the handoff and into the endzone for the two point conversion, making it 29-7 Johnson Central with 4:50 left in the 3^rd. Johnson Central would add another score as time expires in the 3^rd as Jordan Young would score from 34 yards out. Johnson Central’s two point conversion was stopped short and at the end of 3, Johnson Central lead 35-7.

 

Johnson Central’s Dalton Adkins would score from 13 yards out, Johnson Central’s extra point kick was blocked, making it what would be the final score 42-7 Johnson Central.

 

Johnson Central’s offense was clicking on all cylinders as the Golden Eagles rushed for 323 yards on 32 carries. Damion Belcher had 7 carries for 104 yards, Jordan Young had 10 carries and 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jordan scored from 15, 7, 38 yards. Josh Dillion had 9 carries for 76 yards. Johnson Central had one turnover and that was an interception thrown by Zach Gound.

 

Johnson Central improves to 9-0 and claims the one seed for the playoffs and the second straight district crown. Johnson Central will now get ready for the show down next week as they travel to Pond Creek to face undefeated (9-0) Belfry. This is coach Matney's 7th district title since he's been at Johnson Central. Coach Matney started at Johnson Central back in 2004.

 

Ashland falls to 7-3 and claim the 2 seed in the playoffs. Ashland will now prepare for the playoffs as they will be hosting the 3 seed from District 7, Holmes on November 8^th.

No field goal attempts? What a shocker...

No field goal attempts? What a shocker...

 

We are saving them for the play off's.

Does Johnson Central have a stronger passing game than in years past? Are they still a 90% run 10% pass type of team?

 

While I some times question Coach Matney's special play decisions, you can't help but admire the program he has put together at JC.

Does Johnson Central have a stronger passing game than in years past? Are they still a 90% run 10% pass type of team?

 

While I some times question Coach Matney's special play decisions, you can't help but admire the program he has put together at JC.

 

JC has much better pieces in their passing game compared to year's past and either a 3 or 4 year starter at QB in Gound. They are about 85/15 run/pass.

Our running game has never been a problem against other teams when it comes to scoring alot of points.But our pass defence has allowed to much. This years group seems to be very athletic toward defending the pass. The pressure put on the QB will be the key to beating passing teams and to control the tempo and clock.