FOOTBALL: Hancock County good as home for JoCo in second-straight win

SPARTA – Hurricane Helene hit Herschel Walker Field and Lovett Stadium hard, and damage from the storm forced Johnson County to play Friday’s home game on the road in Hancock County. 

Coming into the matchup, Hancock Central was the second-highest scoring team in the Low A classification, and averaged 41.7 points per game. The Trojans needed to beat the Bulldogs in the region contest to retain their spot in first place, and won 28-6. 

Johnson County head coach Don Norton praised his defense.

“We talk about defense in Johnson County. We practice defense, and you know our coaches have done a great job,” he said. “You know dirty-blue has been playing lights-out, and I’m real proud that that our kids love to play defense in Johnson County.” 

Other than defense and solid offense, big plays made things work against the Bulldogs.

The first big play came on the opening kickoff. Tashawn Norris ran 86 yards for a touchdown. On the point-after try, Will Peebles picked up a fumble and ran it in for a conversion. Just like that, the Trojans led 8-0 with 11:46 still to go. 

After Hancock stopped the Trojans and took possession, its big play came with a 47-yard rushing touchdown by Karter Harper. The conversion failed, but the Trojans were up 8-6.

Another big Trojan play came at 1:14 in the first,  when Norris ran for a 64-yard touchdown.  Peebles kicked the PAT, and the Trojans led 15-6.

At the half, Johnson County had four first downs and 114 yards.

Hancock Central had eight first downs and 146 yards. 

“We just kind of weren’t playing real hard the first half, and had some conversations and adjustments at halftime, and most of it is mental,” Norton said. 

In the third quarter, Dwayne Abrams seized a fumble to give the Trojans possession on their own 24.

After 12 plays on the ground, including a 25-yard Cory King run, Norris scored on a two-yard touchdown. Peebles had the point-after to make it 22-6 with 3:24 left in the third quarter. 

On the next drive, Xavier Wright had a beautiful, 40-yard pick-six. Wright caught the low ball perfecty at the midpoint between passer and receiver, and was near the end zone before Hancock knew what was happening. The point-after attempt was no good, but at 3:00 in the third, the score was 28-6.

Norris led Johnson County in rushing with seven carries for 81yards, with two touchdowns.

He said he believes the offensive line needs a lot of credit.

“Them boys did their job,” Norris said. 

Cory King had nine rushes for 63 yards

Billy Turberville completed one of three passes with no interceptions. 

Will Peebles punted twice for an average of 31 yards.

Jeremiah Scott led the tackling with six. Jadarrian Carswell  had five and two assists. Cory King had four.

The Trojans (6-2 overall) now seem a favorite to win region 5 for a third-straight year. They will travel to play Glascock County (2-5) on Friday.