FOOTBALL: Johnson County tackles Twiggs in abbreviated season finale

JEFFERSONVILLE – The game ended with Johnson County having an eight-win season. It ended with the Trojans being three-time region champs. It ended with a Trojan win, but it ended early, and strangely. 

The Trojans beat Twiggs County 21-0.

In the first half, there were four personal fouls on the Cobras. Three Twiggs players were ejected and one Twiggs fan was ejected. The officials spent a great deal of time sorting out situations.

A Twiggs player slapped a Johnson County player for one foul.

The Trojans had one personal foul, and no ejections.

“We were glad to get out of there,” Johnson County head coach Don Norton said. “I’ve never experienced anything like I experienced in Twiggs County Friday night.” But he was pleased with the final.

“We’re glad to finish the season 8-2,” Norton said. “I’m very proud for the accomplishment, very proud for our seniors.”

The first scoring drive didn’t begin until the end of the first quarter, and all the game’s points were scored in the second quarter.

There was a six-play, 63 yard drive. Tashawn Norris had an 18-yard run. Jeremiah Scott ran for 32. Billy Turberville scored on a one-yard run with 9:51 left in the half. Will Peebles kicked and the score was 7-0. 

Twiggs received the kickoff, and on its next play, Scott had a 70-yard pick-six. The kick fell short, but the Trojans led 13-0 with 8:40 in the half.

The JoCo defense pinned the Cobras on their own 15, and they would punt to their 41. 

Scott scored on the next play with 6:04 remaining in the half, and ran for the conversion to make the score 21-0.

At halftime, Norton met with the Twiggs County High School principal, the officials and a captain from the Jeffersonville Police.

The officials stated there would be a running clock in the second half. The police stated that they would stop the game if there were any further unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.  

At 5:27 in the second quarter, Twiggs County had another unsportsmanlike penalty when a Cobra player pushed his blocker after the play.

True to word, the game ended.

Norton asked his players to back away from confrontations and hold their hands in the air. This was visible from the first unsportsmanlike penalty until the end.

“Our kids showed a lot of restraint when a lot of other people wouldn’t show restraint,” Norton said. “I am very proud of them for that.”

Norton has worked on this for much of the year, and uses a rat trap to teach the players to “never take the bait.” 

Johnson County had 21 rushes for 229 yards, and one pass for 12 yards. 

Scott led the Trojans in rushing with seven carries for 120 yards.

Jadarrian Carswell had the lone 12-yard reception.  

Trojan Damarion Sharber said his team’s offense got things together, but expressed disappointment in the shortened game. 

“It was a hard-fought game” he said. “We didn’t get to play a full game like we would have liked to, but it’s back to work next week to get ready for the playoff on Saturday.” 

Johnson County, in the postseason for the sixth consecutive season, will play Pelham at East Laurens High School. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m.