Final

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/johnson-central-ashland-357525.html

JC went 3 and out on first drive leading to punt. Gave up scoop and score on 2nd drive then minus kneel outs scored TDs on every other drive. Ratliff was impressive for Ashland but JCs physical style and team strength was too much in the end.

Congrats on the big win JC!

Best team in 4A. Johnson Central will win state. Mark my words.

This game pretty much went how most thought it would, assuming JC held on to the football. After the early fumble return for a TD, it felt like a little Putnam magic was in the air. But, it was not meant to be, as JC tightened things up and punished Ashland's defense, drive after drive. The Tomcats just couldn't get JC's offense off the field.

Ashland played hard just could not get the stops on 3rd Downs to get off the field. Game was 35-27 Ashland forced a fumble but couldn’t recover before it went out of bounds and the D wore out after that. Congrats to Johnson Central.

Physicality, much like the first game, took over late in the game, and the score indicated the result. Ashland has more athletes and team speed but JC’s size and strength wore the Tomcats down. Not fumbling so much helps to.

 

The turnover battle was tied this go around, I would estimate JC had 500 to 600 yds on the ground.

Congrats Eagles, I'll be pulling for you all going forward. For my Tomcats, don't hang your head's after this one, both of these teams are two of the best in the class. I've told my friends all along that the winner of this game wins the State Championship and I still believe that. Go get that second title JC.

Best team in 4A. Johnson Central will win state. Mark my words.

 

Wayne Co. has no chance next week?

Tough loss for the Tomcats tonight. Ashland players ...you have nothing to hang your head over tonight, or anytime. I know it's still burning now but trust me, that will ease and you can look back on your season with pride.

 

Congrats to JCHS on the Win !

Wayne Co. has no chance next week?

 

Of course they have a chance. It's just my personal opinion that Johnson Central will take home the trophy in 4A.

It seemed to me this game was very similar to the last game except JC did not commit the unforced turnovers like they did in the first meeting. (Some of the fumbles the first game were result of Ashland’s play but some were just bad pitches and in the JC offense a bad pitch is a drive killer once you get behind the sticks).

 

Ashland has some good athletes but was not able to handle the physical brand of football JC played with.

 

If these two teams play 10 times I think this is the result 7 or 8 of those times. Ashland needed big plays to keep the game closer and got several but it just wasn’t their night.

Golden (second) opportunity: Johnson Central eliminates Ashland in rematch at Putnam | Sports | dailyindependent.com

 

Golden (second) opportunity: Johnson Central eliminates Ashland in rematch at Putnam

 

Rocky Stanley | The Daily Independent

 

This time, Johnson Central’s powerhouse running game would not be denied.

 

The defending Class 4A state champs rushed for 417 yards and eight touchdowns, pulling away from Ashland for a 54-27 victory in the Region 4 championship game Friday night at Putnam Stadium.

 

Four weeks earlier on the same field, the Golden Eagles lost the turnover battle 3-0 as Ashland knocked off the top-ranked team 21-18.

 

It looked like Johnson Central might be in trouble again midway through the first quarter. Ashland’s Junior Jones created a sack-fumble and teammate Vance Krueger scooped it up for a 34-yard touchdown to give the Tomcats an early lead.

 

However, the Golden Eagles never turned the ball over again on their way to a third consecutive region title.

 

“That was huge,” said Johnson Central coach Jim Matney, whose team proceeded to gobble up yardage in chunks in a rugged battle.

 

“There were some hits by both teams tonight that I haven’t seen in years,” Matney said. “One of the officials said it was the hardest-hitting game he’d ever seen.”

 

Continued in the link above...

Anybody check on Dickey this morning?