Scott scores four more TDs as Johnson County shuts out Warren County in Thursday-nighter

The Johnson County defense delivered the Screaming Devils a defeat Thursday night, shutting out Warren County 35-0 in the Trojans’ home opener at the Blue Monster.

While the defense forced four turnovers and kept Warren County off the scoreboard, Jeremiah Scott supplied plenty of offense, scoring four touchdowns in a second-straight game as Johnson County improved to 2-0 on the season.

The victory on Herschel Walker Field at Herschel Lovett Stadium followed the Trojans’ 32-15 season-opening win over East Laurens in the Border War.

Johnson County wasted little time taking control.

After the JoCo defense stopped Warren County on fourth down, the Trojans went 56 yards in five plays on their opening possession. Scott broke loose for 16 yards early in the drive and finished it with a 31-yard touchdown run. Grayson Jackson added the first of his five successful extra points to give Johnson County a 7-0 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter.

The defense quickly permitted the offense another opportunity by forcing a three-and-out.

This time Johnson County needed six plays to cover 40 yards. Kelsey Waters contributed runs of four, seven and seven yards before Jacaden Webb scored from 10 yards out, extending the lead to 14-0 with 2:07 left in the opening quarter.

The Trojans struck again on their next possession with their most explosive drive of the first half.

Jeremiah Taylor opened the four-play, 76-yard march with a 21-yard run. Quarterback Chance Wombles then connected with Dae’zon Devero for 19 yards before Taylor ripped off another 25-yard run. Wombles finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Scott, making it 21-0 with 11:21 remaining in the half.

Scott found the end zone again less than six minutes later.

Johnson County used eight plays to cover 50 yards, getting contributions on the ground from Waters, Zacorian Graddy and Webb before Scott scored on an 11-yard run. Jackson’s extra point made it 28-0 with 6:09 remaining before halftime.

The Trojans nearly added another score late in the second quarter. Facing third-and-15, Wombles found Devero for 29 yards to the Warren County 17, but the drive eventually ended on downs.

Warren County then put together one of its best offensive stretches of the night, breaking runs of 29 and 28 yards before the half. But once again the JoCo defense kept the Screaming Devils out of the end zone, sending the Trojans to the locker room with a 28-0 advantage.

Johnson County head coach Don Norton was particularly pleased with the defensive performance.

“Always glad in getting the win, but we were proud of our defense,” Norton said. “Getting a goal-line stand for the third week in a row, and everyone got to play. You know, always good to get a Thursday night win versus Warren County.”

The three-week stretch Norton referenced dates back to Johnson County’s second and final preseason scrimmage, and has continued through the regular-season victories over East Laurens and Warren County.

Any thought of a Warren County comeback disappeared almost immediately after halftime.

Scott fielded the opening kickoff and raced 75 yards to the Warren County 11. Four plays later, on fourth-and-goal from the 5, he scored his fourth touchdown of the night. Jackson’s fifth PAT pushed the lead to 35-0 and completed the scoring.

Scott finished with 77 yards on seven carries and three rushing touchdowns while adding an 11-yard touchdown reception. He produced 88 yards from scrimmage on only nine offensive touches, in addition to a 75-yard kickoff return and 16 yards on three punt returns.

The Trojans did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 244 yards on 35 attempts — an average of 7.0 yards per carry.

Taylor gained 46 yards on only two carries, Waters added 41 yards on five attempts and Webb finished with 36 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Norton also praised the big guys up front who do much of their work without showing up in the statistics.

“Our offensive line played well,” Norton said. “I was proud for them.”

Wombles accounted for Johnson County’s 59 passing yards and threw the touchdown to Scott. Devero caught two passes for 48 yards, including the 29-yard reception late in the first half.

As productive as the offense was, the defense repeatedly prevented Warren County from turning its yardage into points.

The Screaming Devils finished with 228 yards of total offense, including 227 on the ground, but turned the ball over four times. Webb intercepted two passes, while Taylor recovered two fumbles.

Warren County converted only two of 14 third-down opportunities. Johnson County also kept the Screaming Devils off the scoreboard despite Warren converting three of four fourth-down attempts and finishing with 12 first downs.

The Trojans finished with 303 yards of total offense and 18 first downs. Johnson County converted four of 11 third downs and one of two fourth downs while playing turnover-free football. The Trojans were penalized nine times for 81 yards.

Norton said the effort and pursuit of his defense stood out.

“We hustled to the ball very well,” Norton said. “I was extremely proud of that, and came out and had some good hits. You know, I was very proud and saw some good leadership out there.”

The victory did come with a significant loss for the Trojans. Backup quarterback Gus Ragan suffered a season-ending injury during the first half, but his attention afterward remained on what his teammates could accomplish.

“I think we have a chance to go a long way,” Ragan said. “Everybody wants to put in the work. There’s nobody that likes to take days off. It’s well-led by seniors, and even though I can’t play anymore, I’m excited to see what they can do.”

Johnson County will now have an open week before returning to action on the road against the Wheeler County Bulldogs.