Next man up: Elite depth on display as Johnson County gets ninth win vs. GMC

There was a bit of everything at the Blue Monster on Friday night. But mostly, there were a lot of points and a whole lot of defense.

The undefeated Johnson County Trojans rolled past Georgia Military College 48-3, piling up 424 yards of offense while holding the Bulldogs to just 86 yards. 

More importantly, the Trojans demonstrated their depth, continuing their offensive dominance despite playing without two important contributors, including offensive leader Jeremiah Scott. 

With Halloween just a day away, the Trojan marching band added to the festivities by dressing in costumes. It was also Helmet Night, with mothers and mother figures invited onto the field to place helmets on their players before the game.

The evening also included a heartfelt tribute to Coach Shawn Linder and his daughter Bella, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident seven years and one day earlier. The Trojans took the field holding balloons, as fans released more from the stands in memory of the father and daughter.

But when the festivities ended and the football began, the Trojans had something else to celebrate: the depth of a team that has remained undefeated despite losing two important players to injury.

Scott, who has spearheaded the Johnson County attack throughout the season, and offensive lineman Derek Dixon were both sidelined with injuries suffered the previous week against Hancock Central. Both are recovering, and expected to be out of action for several weeks.

The Trojans didn’t abandon their offense or make wholesale changes. They simply turned to other players to carry the football.

And carry it they did.

Johnson County rushed for 368 yards on just 26 attempts, an impressive average of 14.2 yards per carry. Six different Trojans scored the team’s seven rushing touchdowns, and JoCo reached the end zone on every one of its seven offensive possessions.

Kelsey Waters, stepping into Scott’s wingback position, made the most of his opportunity. He carried the ball just four times, but gained 107 yards and scored twice, including a 61-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

“We had a couple of players out from injuries last game,” Waters said. “Jeremiah Scott was our wingback, and I stepped up and took his spot. I think we had a pretty good game as a team.”

Waters wasn’t alone in taking advantage of additional opportunities.

Zacorian Graddy broke loose for a 71-yard touchdown run on his only carry. Jamir Wadley gained 68 yards on two attempts, including a 56-yard scoring run. Jacaden Webb rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, while Jeremiah Taylor added 43 yards and a score on seven attempts.

Morgan Prosser accounted for the Trojans’ final touchdown with an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Chance Wombles completed four of seven passes for 56 yards, with Daezon Devero hauling in three receptions for 42 yards.

Coach Don Norton was particularly encouraged by the contributions from his younger players and the competition that has developed throughout the Trojan roster.

“There were some really, really bright spots from some of our younger guys,” Norton said. “The great thing about Johnson County is we have kids, and we’re competing all around. Every single day, every kid has an opportunity to get better and take a spot and run with it.”

That competition was on display throughout the evening.

The Trojans wasted little time establishing control. Waters capped a seven-play, 65-yard opening drive with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Webb added the two-point conversion.

Webb scored again on a three-yard run later in the first quarter, giving Johnson County a 14–0 advantage.

Waters’ 61-yard touchdown run extended the lead to 20–0 early in the second quarter, and Graddy’s 71-yard burst pushed the margin to 27–0.

GMC managed its only points on a field goal as the first half expired, sending the teams to the dressing rooms with Johnson County leading 27–3.

The Trojans picked up where they left off after halftime.

Taylor scored from two yards out in the third quarter, and Wadley’s 56-yard run stretched the advantage to 41–3 before Prosser closed out the scoring in the fourth.

Grayson Jackson converted four of five extra-point attempts and handled eight kickoffs. 

The defense was equally impressive statistically, holding GMC to just 79 rushing yards on 38 attempts and seven passing yards. The Bulldogs managed only nine first downs and converted just two of 10 third-down opportunities.

But despite the overwhelming numbers, Norton wasn’t entirely satisfied.

“We’ve got some things to clean up,” Norton said. “Hats off to GMC. I thought they came out and played hard. I think we could have played a little harder than we did. We played hard, but in some spots, we’ve got some things to clean up.”

His players agreed.

Waters said the halftime discussion centered on improving the Trojans’ effort and physical play.

“We talked about hustle,” Waters said. “We played a little soft, a little handsy. We had to get physical, especially on the line. We were playing slow. We had to read our keys.”

Jackson also believed the defense took some time to find its rhythm.

“I think we played pretty hard,” Jackson said. “Our defense was lacking a little bit in the first half, but we made up for it in the second half. We just showed up kind of late.”

Those assessments may seem surprising after a 45-point victory in which the opponent managed only 86 yards of offense. But they also suggest a team that understands the challenges will become greater as postseason competition approaches.

Perhaps the most encouraging development for Johnson County was that the offense continued producing without one of its most important weapons, and an anchor of the offensive line. 

Rather than depending on one player to shoulder the load, the Trojans demonstrated that they have a collection of capable runners ready to contribute when called upon.

That depth could prove especially valuable in the weeks ahead.

Johnson County will travel to Millen next Friday to face Jenkins County in the final game of the regular season, looking to complete an undefeated campaign before turning its attention to the state playoffs.

Scott and Dixon will be with their teammates on the sidelines as they continue recovering.

Jackson believes the Trojans have plenty of football left to play.

“I think the rest of the year is going to mirror the first half of the year,” he said. “I think it’s going to keep going good, and I think we’re going to have a good run in the playoffs.”

For a team that has spent the season piling up victories, Friday night’s performance may have provided something just as valuable as another win.

It proved that when one Trojan goes down, another is ready to step up.