FOOTBALL: Johnson County stays composed, consistent in Warren County win

WARRENTON – A win at Warren County last Friday made Johnson County 3-0, as the Trojans surpassed the Screamin’ Devils, 40-14. 

Close for only a quarter, JoCo had 285 yards to Warren’s 170, and the self-destructive Screamin’ Devils had 20 penalties for 166 yards. They gained only 29 yards rushing, while the Trojans had 214.

“3-0 is pretty nice heading into Labor Day,” said Johnson County head coach Don Norton. “I’m really proud of our kids and how they did it.”

On Warren’s opening drive, JoCo forced a punt on the Devils’ 19. The punt went negative 10 yards and ended up on the Warren County 1. 

The next drive: One play, one yard; five seconds.

Jeremiah Taylor had the touchdown with 9:05. The kick failed but it was 6-0.

Warren’s Cedarius Johnson threatened the Trojans all night, even though the JoCo defense mostly kept him in check.

On the next series, LaChance Burnett connected with him for a 67-yard touchdown pass with 7:03 in the first. Cedarius Johnson also ran for the conversion. The Devils led 8-6. 

The Trojans responded in six plays with 78 yards.

Tayshawn Norris ran for 26. Cory King, Nathan Turberville and Kelsey Waters contributed yards. Norris had the 8-yard touchdown. Turberville hit Daezon Devero for the conversion. The Trojans led 14-8 with 3:58 in the first. 

The JoCo defense, aided by penalties, pinned the Devils deep, and a 10-yard punt gave the Trojans the ball on the Warren 22. 

After six plays, Jeremiah Taylor scored a 4-yard touchdown at 10:20. The kick failed, but the Trojans were up 20-8. 

On the next Warren drive, Jalen Daniels caused a Devil fumble from the 22-yard line, then as others went for the ball, he scooped and scored. Will Peeples kicked the point-after to make the score 27-8 with 4:02 left in the half.

Scott had a 41-yard touchdown run with 2:26 to go, and Peeples kicked to make the score 34-8.

King capped an eight-play, 47-yard drive with 4:08 in the third. His 4-yard touchdown made the score 40-8.

Cedarius Johnson caught a 34-yard Burnett pass for a touchdown late in the third to make the score 40-14.

Will Peeples led the Trojans in receiving with one catch for 39 yards. 

Norris led the tackling for JoCo with five. Dewayne Abrams and Cory King each had four.

Abrams said his team played unselfishly. 

“We played team ball,” he said. “We had good blocks on the line and in the backfield.”

Cedric Bridges thinks his team did well not to fall into a trap that might cause penalties.

“They tried to fight with us,” he said. “We kept our composure.”

Next week, the Trojans will be at home against Butler.