Backfield goes berserk, Devero picks two passes as Johnson County wins third-straight at Wheeler County

ALAMO – Three rushers each ran for more than 100 yards as Johnson County defeated Wheeler County 48-18 Friday night for the Trojans’ third win of the season, and the 400th victory in program history.

Light rain fell before kickoff, but by game time had stopped, and Johnson County’s ground game was ready to go.

Jeremiah Scott led the way with 175 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries. Jeremiah Taylor added 107 yards on 10 carries. Kelsey Waters rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts.

“I was very, very impressed with our blocking up front, with our line and our backs and wingbacks and wide receivers,” head coach Don Norton said. “That allowed us to run the ball effectively tonight.”

The Trojans showed that ability from the opening possession, driving from their own 35 to the Wheeler 5 before a fumble ended the threat. Scott broke a 30-yard run during the drive, but the Bulldogs recovered the fumble and kept Johnson County off the scoreboard.

The JoCo defense answered by forcing a Wheeler punt, and the Trojans went 64 yards on their next possession for the game’s first touchdown. Taylor broke a 17-yard run and Waters ripped off a 28-yard gain before Scott scored from eight yards out. Grayson Jackson added the extra point for a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Johnson County threatened again early in the second quarter, driving to the Wheeler 1 before Scott was stopped on fourth down.

The Bulldogs took over deep in their own territory, but the JoCo defense allowed them only three yards before forcing a punt. A 17-yard punt gave the Trojans the ball at the Wheeler 21, and Scott needed only one play to reach the end zone. Jackson’s kick made it 14-0.

After Wheeler turned the ball over on downs at the Johnson County 41, the Trojans struck again. Jacaden Webb broke a 23-yard run during the drive, and Waters followed with runs of 15 and 29 yards, with the latter putting Johnson County in the end zone. Jackson’s extra point stretched the lead to 21-0.

Wheeler answered when John Miller broke loose for a 52-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, cutting the lead to 21-6.

Johnson County needed little time to respond. After a holding penalty backed the Trojans up, Taylor gained 11 yards and Waters added seven before Scott broke free for a 55-yard touchdown. Jackson’s extra point sent Johnson County into halftime leading 28-6.

“I knew this was going to be a tough place to play, and it was,” Norton said. “We had a couple of uncharacteristic penalties, but we turned it on and made a couple of adjustments.”

Wheeler threatened early in the third quarter, but Daezon Devero intercepted a fourth-down pass at the Johnson County 20.

The Trojans then went 80 yards in six plays, all on the ground. Scott started the drive with a 14-yard gain, Taylor had runs of nine and 16 yards, Waters added nine and Webb broke a 19-yard run before Scott finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown. Jackson’s kick pushed the lead to 35-6.

Wheeler took advantage of a Johnson County fumble later in the quarter, with Malik Madison scoring from 20 yards out to make it 35-12.

Johnson County answered again when Jamir Wadley broke a 35-yard touchdown run, and the Trojans weren’t finished.

Devero intercepted Wheeler for the second time and returned this one 35 yards for a touchdown. Jackson’s extra point gave Johnson County a 48-12 advantage.

Wheeler added a late touchdown on Miller’s 10-yard run to produce the 48-18 final.

Johnson County finished with 486 rushing yards on 39 carries, averaging more than 12 yards per attempt. In addition to the three 100-yard rushers, Wadley finished with 55 yards and a touchdown on three carries, while Webb added 47 yards on three attempts. The Trojans attempted just one pass and did not complete it.

The performance wasn’t without mistakes. Johnson County was penalized 12 times for 108 yards and lost two fumbles, something Taylor acknowledged afterward.

“It was a good game. It was about playing as a team and not as individuals,” he said. “We could have done some things better on defense, filling holes and making stops, but we did pretty good. Our O-line blocked pretty well. We made some plays, and it was a good team win.”

The victory improved the Trojans to 3-0 and marked the 400th win in Johnson County football history. The Trojans have increased their scoring output in each game this season, scoring 32 points against East Laurens, 35 against Warren County and 48 against Wheeler County.

Through three games, Johnson County has outscored its opponents 115-33.

“We’re going to be great if we keep working together, coming together, bonding together,” Scott said. “We can go to the championship back-to-back.”

Johnson County will return home Friday to face the Wilcox County Patriots (0-3).