The Golden Eagles saw their perfect 11-0 season come to an end last year, dropping a 42-14 contest to Covington Catholic to end their season at 11-1. Johnson Central will look to make a big run this year in the state tournament. Past two years Covington Catholic has ended JohnsonCentral's season. Will that be the case in 2014?

 

JohnsonCentral didn't take much of a hit, if any at all on the line losingQuade Ward (who had 22 total tackles with 18 of them assisted), BoSpriggs and Chris Niece. Johnson Central will return seniors Zac Salyer (Center) and Tristen Salyer (Tackle) and will have starters Blake Martin, Patrick Rice, Daniel Meade, Gunner Slone and Nathan King back on the line.Johnson Central will also return their top two receivers in Dalton Adkins(WR) and Truman Salyer (TE) who combined for 606 of Johnson Central's 800 receiving yards. Johnson Central lost 3 year starting QB ZachGround (who passed for 333 yards on 16/30 passing). Johnson Central does return senior QB Bryce Workman (who transferred in from Sheldon Clark last year). Workman threw for 419 yards on 17/19 passing and 4 TD's. When he wasn't at the QB position on offense, Bryce was one ofthe receivers, who caught 1 pass for 12 yards. On defense Bryce had 18 total tackles with 13 of them solo, also had 3 INT's. Johnson Central took a hit at the running back position when two of them Josh Dillion (rushed for 666 yards and 11 TD's) and Jordan Young (rushedfor 1,123 yards, 26 TD's). Johnson Central also lost returning running back Daymion Belcher (rushed for 1,377 yards, 18 TD's) who transferred back to Paintsville. We might see seniors Patrick Rice and Gunner Slone come over from the defense side to be the fullbacks.We should see juniors Bryce Skaggs and Connor Ratliff along with senior Dalton Adkins be the main running backs for this Golden Eagles team. Johnson Central also returns one, if not, the best kicker in the state in Tyler Pack. Johnson Central also has a strong incoming freshmen class that people should keep an eye on, Blake Gamble RB, LB & DB, Tyrese Allen RB, DE & LB, Curtis Dorton FB & DE, Steven Gound QB and DB, Braxton Kelly, E & DB, Dawson Stalker OL & DL, Jacob Burns C & LB, Ethan Bingham OL, Jordan Spence OL and Bowen Tackett OL & DL

 

 

CoachMatney and the Golden Eagles will yet again play another toughschedule. The Golden Eagles will open up the regular season on August 29^thhosting Fairland OH, Johnson Central will be home again on September 6^th hosting Mastery Charter North Pennsylvania. Johnson Central will then go on the road for three straight games, going to Perry County Central on September 12^th, Harlan County on September 19^th and Boyd County on September 26^th. Johnson Central will return home for two games hosting Warrensville Heights OH on October 2^nd and Greenup County on October 10^th. Johnson Central will travel to Rowan County on October 17^th and return home for the final two games of the season against Ashland on October 24^th and Belfry on October 31^st. All games will be at 7:30 PM.

 

 

My Predictions:

8/29 Fairland OH – Win

9/6 Mastery North PA – Loss

9/12 @ Perry County Central – Win

9/19 @ Harlan County – Win

9/26 @ Boyd County – Win

10/2 Warrensville Heights – Win

10/10 Greenup County – Win

10/17 @ Rowan County – Win

10/24 Ashland – Win

10/31 Belfry – Loss

The Johnson Central Ashland game should be a huge event for both teams. Last year Johnson Central had the advantage with their backfield, but I think Ashland will have the advantage this year. Should be a great game.

 

Leading rusher Damion Belcher transferring to Paintsville is a big hit to the Golden Eagles.

I'll go 10-2

I'll go 10-2

Who's the two? I see possible three and I would give them the benefit of doubt in winning one of the three: Ashland, Belfry and Harlan County.

I actually don't know much about Harlan County. I might revise and say 9-3 (8-2 regular season, win one in the playoffs then get thumped by Covington Catholic).

I don't know anything about the out of state teams on their schedule, but the rest of their schedule I only see a couple of possible losses, then again they are probably capable of running the table again in the regular season. I was thinking this may be the year Ashland gets a win against Matney in Painsville. But after hearing some comments made by one of the JC coaches, I would expect JC to be very tough to beat this year.

.....

 

I found this line interesting: "Coach Matney and the Golden Eagles will yet again play another tough schedule." Two questions come to mind: a) is that really a "tough schedule"; b) wasn't all of the talk last year that you can sharpen your teeth on oatmeal, and that their soft schedule had them ill-prepared for CovCath? If I remember that correctly, than the "...play another tough schedule" seems like an interesting choice of words.

 

I'm a fan of their program, have been since making the trip there several years ago, and I hope they have a great 2014.

JC should win all of their Out of State games. The team from Pennsylvania appears to traditionally be a solid team, but they are also a very small school. Think JC handles them like they would against a team like a Somerset, Hazard, or Pburg.

 

The Ohio team is a large school from a very competitive area...but they are also traditionally a doormat. Think JC rolls them. Fairland Ohio will be a running clock.. just a small Ohio school JC will overpower.

 

To me I see JC taking a bit of a step back. Losing your entire backfield is tough as it is, but also losing your top defensive players and some quality linemen will make it even a taller task. Matney has built the JC program to where the have interchangeable parts and JC will still be the team to beat out of their district and a Top 10 team in their class... but I see this as a bit of a bridge year before a sensational crop of younger players make headway.

I forgot to put OH beside Warrensville Heights.

JC should win all of their Out of State games. The team from Pennsylvania appears to traditionally be a solid team, but they are also a very small school. Think JC handles them like they would against a team like a Somerset, Hazard, or Pburg.

 

The Ohio team is a large school from a very competitive area...but they are also traditionally a doormat. Think JC rolls them. Fairland Ohio will be a running clock.. just a small Ohio school JC will overpower.

 

To me I see JC taking a bit of a step back. Losing your entire backfield is tough as it is, but also losing your top defensive players and some quality linemen will make it even a taller task. Matney has built the JC program to where the have interchangeable parts and JC will still be the team to beat out of their district and a Top 10 team in their class... but I see this as a bit of a bridge year before a sensational crop of younger players make headway.

 

I don't really see JC taking a step back, they have enough talent in that school and a coach that knows how to get the most out of his kids that they won't drop off much, if at all. That said I believe the dostrict will come down to them and Ashland, once again.

Anyone know if Tyler Pack is making the rounds of kicking camps? Seems to me like the young man should be looking into getting himself out there as much as possible to try to raise some serious D1 eyebrows.

Anyone know if Johnson Central is really playing Warrensville Heights(OH)?

 

On the official OHSAA website Warrensville Heights is playing Maple Heights that weekend. The Maple Heights schedule matches that.

Link for Schedules

Anyone know if Tyler Pack is making the rounds of kicking camps? Seems to me like the young man should be looking into getting himself out there as much as possible to try to raise some serious D1 eyebrows.

 

Is this the kid that kicked the 71 yd Field Goal last yr?

 

I know he is really good and have been wanting to see him first hand for some time but things just havent worked out on the matchup.

 

I did see something on Youtube or something about his FG...He must be really special:thumb:

Johnson Central schedule Ironton yet for 10/3?

10 game schedule yet?