This week the Golden Eagles begin their pursuit of a fourth straight title game appearance and second state championship after playing a scrimmage against Beechwood last week. Johnson Central was pushed in a 31-20 decision a year ago against Capital, but took their second straight season opener against Capital. In fact, Johnson Central hasn't lost a season opener since falling to Boyle County in 2010. Does the streak continue?

Capital is pre-season #2 in West Virginia's largest classification.

 

Last year they were the only team to make eventual State Champion Martinsburg even break a sweat when they lost 49-28 in the Semi's.

 

Johnson Central beat Capital 31-20 to kick off the year, two years ago they won 23-6. Capital also went to the Semi-Finals that year as well.

 

Capital is always long on Athleticism and Skill, but not always the toughest team at the LOS. Always great size on the line, just not overly physical.

 

A fair comparison would be PRP on the high end and Henry Clay on the low end, or some of the better Fern Creek teams in recent years, as a Kentucky correlation. Capital always seems to have some very good LB play and their abundance of athleticism has always given them an edge in WV. With that said, Johnson Central is usually a tough matchup for them because what JC can do at the LOS is not easily replicated across the river.

 

Capital's best player is QB Kerry Martin who is committed to WVU. He is a rangy QB with an above average arm and elite playmaking ability with his feet.

 

He has two D-1 guys that are underclassmen to throw to in Kerion Martin and Chance Knox. Martin is a tall WR and Knox is an explosive slot guy.

 

They have a couple nice Defensive players as well. The Hoff kid at LBer may not be playing D-1 football, but he is a very good HS linebacker.

 

I like what JC has this year and Capital always seems to struggle with stupid mistakes in their first week.

 

I will say JC 26-14. Think Capital pops a couple big plays on early season mistakes, but JC controls the game.

Edited August 20, 20188 yr by ATLCat

It is also worth noting that Capital and Huntington WV scrimmaged this weekend and the report is Huntington kind of pushed them around. All the reports of the mixed scrimmage was that Huntington was the best team of the lot and Capital was probably the third best behind Spring Valley (who Ashland scrimmaged well)

 

JC also scrimmaged Huntington and equated themselves well, outscoring them 21-14. This will bode well for JC one would think.

So far Johnson Central sounds really good. I’d expect them to win this, but not a blow out maybe by 1-2 touchdowns.

This Capital team is really good and super athletic. This will be the best Capital team JC has faced over the past 3 years. Their QB is explosive with his legs and has a huge arm. JC will have to control the game in the trenches to win. Should be a great contest.

Love the well informed post. Good luck JC.