After looking a little more closely, I don't think Johnson Central has played anyone this season. Their best win might be over Henry Clay (4-5).

 

I might argue that they were exposed by a good Ashland team and will likely get dismantled at Belfry.

Ashland forced them, but Johnson Central had no trouble running the ball at all. If they play again I would still have Johnson at least a 14 point favorite even at Putnam.

 

If they meet again, Ashland will probably have to win the turnover battle by a big margin once more to get the win. As good as Ashland's defense has been this year, it's hard to stand up to JC's running game for four quarters. Gotta hand it to the Tomcats, though, they capitalized on that last turnover to get the go-ahead score.

There's a lot of option related ball handling in Johnson Central's offense. Could have been some unforced errors on JC's part.

 

Not sure, though. Maybe @JC Alumni 76 can clarify?

 

The 2 late fumbles were strips by Ashland from what I could tell. JC was sloppy with the ball all night though. The first drive of the game the QB missed 2 pitches to the RB that JC was lucky to recover. I think all in total JC had 6 fumbles and lost 4.

 

Ashland appeared to want it more. Can’t take that away from them. I still think JC is a better team, but you can’t prove it by the scoreboard.

The 2 late fumbles were strips by Ashland from what I could tell. JC was sloppy with the ball all night though. The first drive of the game the QB missed 2 pitches to the RB that JC was lucky to recover. I think all in total JC had 6 fumbles and lost 4.

 

Ashland appeared to want it more. Can’t take that away from them. I still think JC is a better team, but you can’t prove it by the scoreboard.

 

I'll never, ever buy into the "they wanted it more" argument. I would find it really hard to believe JC was less interested in winning district, and guaranteeing at least two home playoff games than Ashland. Sometimes you just get outplayed.

 

Can't wait for playoff time.

I'll never, ever buy into the "they wanted it more" argument. I would find it really hard to believe JC was less interested in winning district, and guaranteeing at least two home playoff games than Ashland. Sometimes you just get outplayed.

Can't wait for playoff time.

 

Poor choice of wording. This is what I was eluding to.

The 2 late fumbles were strips by Ashland from what I could tell. JC was sloppy with the ball all night though. The first drive of the game the QB missed 2 pitches to the RB that JC was lucky to recover. I think all in total JC had 6 fumbles and lost 4.

 

Ashland appeared to want it more. Can’t take that away from them. I still think JC is a better team, but you can’t prove it by the scoreboard.

 

4 and 2, although it should have been 4 and 3. The officials blew one of the fumbles.

4 and 2, although it should have been 4 and 3. The officials blew one of the fumbles.

 

I'm almost certain JC lost one in the first half. I know the play in which you are referring to, I didn't have a good view of it.

I'll never, ever buy into the "they wanted it more" argument. I would find it really hard to believe JC was less interested in winning district, and guaranteeing at least two home playoff games than Ashland. Sometimes you just get outplayed.

 

Can't wait for playoff time.

 

Poor choice of wording. This is what I was eluding to.

 

With the exception of the game two years ago, Johnson Central has bullied Ashland in recent years. I think their pride has been dealt a blow and their ego has been bruised a little. And by "their", I mean the players, coaches, fans, Dicky Martin, and community in general. I definitely think it's possible that Ashland dug a little deeper at the end and found something extra to put them over the top on Friday night. Maybe Ashland was motivated by something more powerful than the promise of a district title and home field advantage in the post-season.

 

Regardless of what you believe happened on Friday, one thing's for sure... this win for Ashland has added a nice, thick layer of intrigue to the playoffs that most of us thought wouldn't be there. As an outsider to this rivalry, I'm way more interested in a potential playoff rematch than I would have otherwise been.

With the exception of the game two years ago, Johnson Central has bullied Ashland in recent years. I think their pride has been dealt a blow and their ego has been bruised a little. And by "their", I mean the players, coaches, fans, Dicky Martin, and community in general. I definitely think it's possible that Ashland dug a little deeper at the end and found something extra to put them over the top on Friday night. Maybe Ashland was motivated by something more powerful than the promise of a district title and home field advantage in the post-season.

 

Regardless of what you believe happened on Friday, one thing's for sure... this win for Ashland has added a nice, thick layer of intrigue to the playoffs that most of us thought wouldn't be there. As an outsider to this rivalry, I'm way more interested in a potential playoff rematch than I would have otherwise been.

 

Great post!

 

And Amen to this!

With the exception of the game two years ago, Johnson Central has bullied Ashland in recent years. I think their pride has been dealt a blow and their ego has been bruised a little. And by "their", I mean the players, coaches, fans, Dicky Martin, and community in general. I definitely think it's possible that Ashland dug a little deeper at the end and found something extra to put them over the top on Friday night. Maybe Ashland was motivated by something more powerful than the promise of a district title and home field advantage in the post-season.

 

Regardless of what you believe happened on Friday, one thing's for sure... this win for Ashland has added a nice, thick layer of intrigue to the playoffs that most of us thought wouldn't be there. As an outsider to this rivalry, I'm way more interested in a potential playoff rematch than I would have otherwise been.

 

Bad thing for Ashland is that you know Matney probably took the loss harder than anyone. After this week's game with Belfry that rematch with Ashland will be all he prepares for. I guarantee ball security will also be high on the list. Johnson Central is still the team to beat in 4A until someone knocks them out.

Bad thing for Ashland is that you know Matney probably took the loss harder than anyone. After this week's game with Belfry that rematch with Ashland will be all he prepares for. I guarantee ball security will also be high on the list. Johnson Central is still the team to beat in 4A until someone knocks them out.

 

I was literally just thinking the same thing before I read your post. If JC doesn't put the ball on the ground, we're probably not having any of these conversations.

I was literally just thinking the same thing before I read your post. If JC doesn't put the ball on the ground, we're probably not having any of these conversations.

 

Im so sick of the “if JC doesnt do this or doesnt do that they win by 2 scores”. Well fellas, thats why they play the games. Give credit where credit is due. If its a forced fumble or not its all part of the game. Ashland played winning football, JC did not.

 

Who says that JC doesnt have 6 turnovers if they meet again? If you werent there you didnt see each team going hit for hit with the other. For my money Ashland was more physical and played with far more emotion. Not to mention Matney was out-coached....especially in the 4th quarter. They had success running the ball all night but for some reason threw like 3 straight incomplete deep passes, with over a minute left with a time out.

 

Shout out to Isaac Caines, Blake Hester, and Aroq for their play in the secondary. Also, Aroq DID intercept the pass on the next to last play of the game. Ive seen the vid, but luckily didnt matter.

Also, gotta love Matney saying “we were a little short-handed” “but I dont wanna take away from Ashland or Coach Love”

JC is the still the team to beat and I think is the better team but it's close. Ashland played hard and left it on the field Friday night. JC knows that have to bring their A game to win and Ashland has and can win so a rematch at Putnam would be an unbelievable atmosphere and a GREAT game.

Im so sick of the “if JC doesnt do this or doesnt do that they win by 2 scores”. Well fellas, thats why they play the games. Give credit where credit is due. If its a forced fumble or not its all part of the game. Ashland played winning football, JC did not.

 

Who says that JC doesnt have 6 turnovers if they meet again? If you werent there you didnt see each team going hit for hit with the other. For my money Ashland was more physical and played with far more emotion. Not to mention Matney was out-coached....especially in the 4th quarter. They had success running the ball all night but for some reason threw like 3 straight incomplete deep passes, with over a minute left with a time out.

 

Shout out to Isaac Caines, Blake Hester, and Aroq for their play in the secondary. Also, Aroq DID intercept the pass on the next to last play of the game. Ive seen the vid, but luckily didnt matter.

 

At the end of the day, Ashland got it done, Johnson Central didn't. But, there's a story to be told with every game. Those fumbles were a big part of the story of this one. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging that. Ashland deserves all the credit for forcing those turnovers, but it doesn't appear that they could get JC off the field without them.

 

If JC makes ball security an increased priority and their ball carriers keep it high and tight, can Ashland get stops any other way? It's a conversation worth having, only because there's a strong likelihood that these two could rematch in a few weeks.