FOOTBALL: Johnson County shuts out Twiggs County to go to 7-0

WRIGHTSVILLE – Seven unanswered touchdowns sealed Johnson County’s seventh win in a shutout.

With 415 yards, the Trojans blanked the Twiggs County Cobras 42-0 Friday night at Herschel Walker Field. 

It pleased Coach Don Norton that the game capped off a great homecoming week, and everyone on the team played. But above all, he was most excited about the play of defensive coach Devin Cannon’s squad. 

“Always good to win a football game,” Norton said. “First shutout of the year. I believe the kids are very excited about that, so hats off to our defense.”

Johnson County started a 7-play, 64-yard drive with 3:17 in the first quarter. 

Tayshawn Norris had a 24-yard run, then Jeremiah Scott had a 21-yard touchdown. The kick failed, but the Trojans led 6-0 with 27 seconds in the first quarter. 

Twiggs responded with 17-play, 63-yard counter, but it ended at the Trojan 11. 

JoCo turned it around and drove the other direction, scoring in nine plays. Cory King had the 11-yard touchdown. Norris ran in the conversion at 1:19 in the half, and the Trojans went into the locker room leading 14-0.

After two quarters, JoCo had nine first downs against six for the Cobras. The Trojans had 167 total yards to 86. 

Even though Johnson County had the lead, the team wasn’t playing up to his potential in the first half, and the coaches and players knew it. 

Lineman Derek Dixon saw his team make improvements.

“We started off slow in the first half,” he said. “The coaches told us what we need to do. We came out, second half, and executed.”

To start the third quarter, the Trojans got a quick touchdown on a three-play, 56-yard drive. King had a 39-yard run. Norris had the 7-yard touchdown. The kick failed, but it was 20-0 with 11:22 in the third.

Scott ran for a 43-yard touchdown on the next Trojan possession for 26-0 lead with 8:36 in the third.  

Norris rushed for a 53-yard touchdown with 5:22, increasing the lead to 32-0. 

At 1:33 in the third, Jacaden Webb added a 55-yard touchdown run.  Preston Kilpatrick kicked the point-after, putting the Trojans up 39-0.

Will Peeples kicked JoCo’s first field-goal of the year, nailing a 21-yarder with 8:21 in the game for a 42-0 final.

Jeremiah Taylor led tackling for the Trojans with four solos and six assists. Jalen Daniels had three solo tackles and six assists. 

Norris rushed 10 times for 152 yards. King had six for 82. Scott ran four times for 80.

Sophomore Cedric Bridges sees a bright future for his team.

“If we continue to be disciplined, we can make it a long way,” said Bridges.

The Trojans (7-0, 2-0 region 5-Low A) will be at home against Wilkinson County next week.