FOOTBALL: Johnson County schools McIntosh County Academy to continue unbeaten streak

WRIGHTSVILLE – The Johnson County Trojans beat the Buccaneers to maintain a perfect season as they moved by McIntosh County Academy Friday, and into the second round of the state playoffs. 

The Trojans, in another defensive demonstration, won 34-7. 

JoCo outgained the Buccaneers 331 yards to 105, and had 10 first downs, while holding their opponent to five. 

Head coach Don Norton thought his team had a good week of practice leading up to the game and did what coaches asked. 

“I’m really proud,” he said. “I thought it was a great team effort. I thought our offensive line played well. They were bigger than us, and some people thought they were faster than us, but our kids really executed well.”

The first Buccaneer possession lasted four plays, ending with a punt. 

Beginning at 10:40, the first Trojan drive lasted three plays and 63 yards.

Tayshawn Norris ran 28 yards. Jeremiah Scott ran 25 yards, then in on a carry of 10 with 9:54 in the first. The kick failed, but Trojans led 6-0.

A JoCo stop, combined with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, gave the Trojans the ball on the McIntosh 25.

Six plays later, Scott had a 16-yard touchdown run with 5:09. The conversion run attempt failed, but the Trojans were up 12-0.

On the opening drive of the second half, Johnson County drove eight plays and 68 yards. Cory King had a 23-yard run. Nathan Turberville threw 17 yards to Norris with 8:48 in the third for a touchdown. He connected with Daezon Devero for the conversion to make it 20-0.

The Buccaneers responded with a six-play, 62-yard drive. They scored on a 34-yard pass with 8:52 to go in the third quarter. With the kick, the score was 20-7.

Beginning at 2:25 in the third, the Trojans drove 66 yards in six plays. Turberville had a 12-yard run. Jeremiah Taylor ran for 23 and the Buccaneers got a 15-yard penalty. King ran for seven and Scott ran for the 12-yard touchdown with 10:29 left in the game. Turberville threw to King for the conversion to make it 28-7. 

On the next McIntosh drive, King scooped a fumble and scored with 7:46 to play. The conversion failed, leaving the score 34-7

“I thought we played really well,” said JoCo senior Will Peeples. “Our defense executed, they stopped them when we needed big stops, and our offense drove the ball really well.”

Jeremiah Scott led the Trojans in rushing with eight carries for 101 yards, as well as in receiving (one catch for 31) and scoring. 

Jeremiah Taylor had five for 60. 

Turberville was 4-for-8 passing.

Peeples punted twice for 68 yards. 

Ziion Wesley led JoCo’s tackling with eight solo and three assists. Kelsey Waters had five and one.

Scott is optimistic about the team’s future.

“I feel like we’re doing good,” he said. “We’re ready for any team. We’re going all the way this year.”

Johnson County (11-0) will host Brooks County (6-5) in the second round Friday at 7 p.m.