FOOTBALL: East Laurens ends long streak vs. Johnson Co., opens Hicks era with monumental win

The “Border War” drought finally ended for East Laurens Friday night. 

After 10 losses to Johnson County came a win that new Falcon head coach Jesse Hicks believes is a watershed moment. 

The nailbiter defied expectations with a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds.

Hicks celebrated with his jubilant team, who won after it looked like it was impossible. East Laurens defeated the Trojans 13-8 at the New Falcon Field. 

“It’s a new day on the Eastside,” Hicks said. “You cannot talk about these kids’ resiliency, their fight, these coaches and the fans for staying. At the end of the day, we’ve been doubted, we’ve been counted out, but tonight you’ve gotta pay attention. It’s a new day on the Eastside.”

In a scoreless first half, the Falcons had 164 yards total offense and seven first downs. The Trojans had 41 yards, and four. 

Johnson County had a big drive in the first quarter and threatened to score first when Ty Snead picked off a Trojan pass on the Falcon 2. 

With Snead at quarterback, the Falcons put together big drive of their own, with Norrion King and Jeremiah Rozier rushing for big yards. Kemario Mitchell was close to a 35-yard touchdown, but it was negated by a penalty.

The Trojan offense never found its rhythm in the first half, and much of the time, was playing within 30 yards of its own goal. 

With good field position, the Falcons threatened again, but the Trojan defense stopped them on the 4, only to go four-and-out. Later, the pattern repeated with JoCo stopping the Falcons eight yards out.

When the Trojans got possession on the first drive of the second half, Tashawn Norris ran for 27 yards, and later for 50. But the Trojans fumbled on a bad exchange three yards from the goal line. 

The Johnson County defense pinned the Falcons back, and forced a punt that yielded the first points of the game, on an inadvertent knee by East Laurens punter Carson Smith as he stooped to collect a low snap in the end zone. The safety gave the Trojans a 2-0 lead at 7:41 in the third. 

Later in the quarter, the Trojans began a 60-yard drive that they’d finish up early in the fourth. Cory King gained 39 yards in three carries. Xavier Wright had three yards rushing. Morris got six and Jadarrian Carswell had the one-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, but the Trojans were now up 8-0 with 10:43 in the game.

Zion Wesley recovered a fumble on the kickoff, and the Trojans had the ball, but fumbled on the very next play. 

East Laurens then drove 68 yards in nine plays to score the touchdown it had to have. 

Norrion King had 28 yards on the drive. Snead had five. The Trojans gave up more yards with penalties. Rozier caught a 12-yard pass from Snead, and then a three-yard touchdown pass to close the gap to 8-6 with 5:53 left in the game, though Cory King batted down Snead’s conversion pass in the backfield to preserve the two-point JoCo lead. 

Time was now of the essence. The Falcons held the Trojans to four plays, and a punt. But JoCo would also hold East Laurens to four plays, forcing a turnover on downs and getting the ball back for what really looked like the final possession of the game, and an inevitable 11th-straight “Border War” victory. 

Some fans trickled out. It was third down and six, and the Trojans were a first down shy of the victory formation, but at 1:07, the unexpected happened.

Raquis Stanley and Bryson Hazley forced a Johnson County fumble, and Hazley made a big recovery for the Black and Gold. 

With its hopes newly revived, East Laurens set to work from its own 37 with eyes on the win. 

Snead connected with Cayson Wadley for four yards, and Major Floyd for 16. Both got out of bounds to stop the clock. The Trojans gave up five with an offside penalty, then Snead scrambled for a first down at the JoCo 33. 

After a broken-up pass, he found a wide-open Mitchell for 23 yards, on a catch-and-run to the 10. 

The following play was an incomplete pass, leaving 15.1 seconds, and time for about one more play. The Falcons also committed a penalty, backing themselves up to the 15. 

On a do-or-die second and goal, Hicks placed the game in the hands of Norrion King, who made a run he’ll never forget.  

The senior, on a short swing pass from Snead, ran past four Trojans and crossed the goal line with 7.2 seconds to play. Smith put the cherry on top with an extra point to make it 13-8.

Time expired with a short kickoff return, and the teams’ long rivalry received a new spark.

Johnson County head coach Don Norton gave credit to East Laurens, and was pleased to see a good rivalry continue. He was proud of his seniors, and said his team was inspired coming in as underdogs.

“A young football team played their hearts out,” he said. “I don’t think people gave us much of a chance to win the game, but I’m really proud of our effort.” 

The Falcons had 293 yards total offense, to the Trojans’ 193. 

Norris led Johnson County in rushing with 16 carries for 114 yards. Cory King was second with eight for 57.

Norrion King ran for 15 times for 90 yards. Snead had 10 carries for 52. He was also nine-for-18 passing with 134 yards. 

JoCo’s Nathan Turberville had one completion from six attempts, and one interception.

Mitchell caught five passes for 91 yards. Floyd had two receptions for 27. 

The Trojans (0-1) will travel to Mount Vernon Friday to meet Montgomery County. 

East Laurens (1-0) will visit the Shamrock Bowl to face the Dublin Irish.