No. 1 Johnson County hammers Hancock Central to continue unbeaten run

WRIGHTSVILLE – Fifty-five points. Just 17 offensive plays.

That was all Johnson County needed Friday night as the undefeated Trojans overwhelmed Hancock Central 55-6 at Herschel Lovett Stadium, improving to 8-0 on the season.

The Trojans averaged an astonishing 22.9 yards per offensive play, piling up 390 yards while scoring touchdowns on runs, passes, a punt return and a fumble recovery. Johnson County rushed for 306 yards on just 13 carries, an average of 23.5 yards per attempt.

And the game got out of hand almost immediately.

Jeremiah Scott took Johnson County’s first offensive snap 65 yards for a touchdown. After the Trojan defense forced Hancock Central to punt, Scott returned the kick 32 yards for another score.

On Johnson County’s next possession, quarterback Chance Wombles connected with Glen Harris for 34 yards before finding Daezon Devero for a 15-yard touchdown.

Just like that, the Trojans led 21-0, having run only three offensive plays.

Wombles later connected with Zacorian Graddy on a 35-yard touchdown pass, giving Johnson County a 28-0 lead before the first quarter ended.

“We came out fast and furious,” head coach Don Norton said. “I’m real excited how we played. We didn’t get in very many plays tonight, but the ones we did were successful.”

The Trojans’ offensive efficiency was particularly remarkable considering that Hancock Central ran 45 offensive plays to Johnson County’s 17. The Bulldogs held the ball for more than 32 minutes, compared with just under 16 minutes for the Trojans.

But possession time meant little against a Johnson County team capable of scoring from virtually anywhere on the field.

The Trojans’ momentum was tempered by injuries to two important players during the second quarter.

Scott, the team’s leading scorer, suffered an ankle injury with 6:15 remaining in the first half and did not return. He finished with 101 rushing yards on just four carries, including his 65-yard touchdown run, and the punt return touchdown.

A short time later, lineman Derek Dixon suffered a knee injury and was carted from the field. Dixon returned to the sideline during the second half, where he and Scott sat together on the Trojan bench, icing their injuries.

The long-term severity of both injuries remains uncertain, and both players could see their playing time affected over the coming weeks. However, the Trojans have demonstrated considerable offensive firepower and depth throughout the season, giving them reason for optimism as they approach the final two games of the regular season.

Jeremiah Taylor has been among the team’s leading rushing contributors, entering Friday’s contest with 435 yards and four touchdowns through seven games. He added 17 yards against Hancock Central, bringing his season total to 452 yards.

Jacaden Webb, Kelsey Waters and Amari Murray have also demonstrated their ability to produce big plays, giving Johnson County multiple offensive weapons even with Scott sidelined.

That depth was evident Friday night.

Waters recovered a Hancock Central fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, then later scored on a 25-yard run following an interception by Kris Siren. The two scores pushed Johnson County’s halftime advantage to 42-0.

Norton acknowledged that his team briefly lost some of its focus during the second quarter.

“We kind of got out of doing what we do in the second quarter for a little bit. We took our foot off the gas, but we learned from that,” Norton said. “We’ll continue to get better and won’t make that mistake again.”

Senior center Matthew McCoy offered a similar assessment, acknowledging that the Trojans allowed Hancock Central’s physical play and verbal exchanges to affect their discipline.

“They tried to play dirty and trash talk,” McCoy said. “We lowered our standards a little bit, which we shouldn’t have, and we have to get better about doing that.”

McCoy said officials had spoken to the coaching staff about the verbal exchanges between players on the field, something he acknowledged was not consistent with the standards expected of the Trojans.

“That’s not what we do,” he said.

Still, McCoy was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

“Our run game was great. Pass game was pretty good,” he said, adding that the defense was “on point.”

The Trojans wasted little time adding to their lead in the second half.

After Jalen Daniels recovered a Hancock Central fumble, Webb broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown run on Johnson County’s first offensive play of the half.

Later in the third quarter, Murray raced 64 yards for another touchdown, pushing the score to 55-0.

Hancock Central finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass, preventing the Trojans from recording another shutout.

The Johnson County defense limited the Bulldogs to just 83 yards of total offense, including 38 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Hancock Central completed only three of 12 passes for 45 yards.

Siren intercepted two passes, while Daniels and Waters recovered fumbles. The Trojans finished with a plus-three turnover margin.

Offensively, Scott led the rushing attack with 101 yards, followed by Webb with 72 yards on two carries and Murray with 64 yards on his only attempt. Waters added 38 yards on two carries, while Taylor gained 17 yards on two attempts and Morgan Prosser contributed 17 yards on one carry.

Wombles completed three of four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Harris had a 34-yard reception, Graddy caught a 35-yard touchdown pass, and Devero added a 15-yard scoring reception.

Grayson Jackson was perfect on all seven of his extra-point kicks and handled the Trojans’ kickoff duties, kicking off nine times for 399 yards.

For sophomore lineman Ayden Hall, the performance was especially satisfying considering the injuries the team has endured.

“I think we did great with all the injuries and stuff,” Hall said. “I think we fought through it very well, and overall, I’d say that’s one of our best games we’ve had this season.”

Asked about the secret behind Johnson County’s success, Hall pointed to the work the players put in after regular practices.

“Every day after practice, we get out there, we run, we do extra stuff that other teams might not,” Hall said. “I think doing all of that every week has really gotten us to where we are now.”

Friday’s victory was also special because it came on Senior Night, giving the Trojans an opportunity to recognize the players who have helped build the program.

Norton was especially pleased that the comfortable lead allowed the coaching staff to give playing time to players throughout the roster.

“I’m real excited to be a Johnson County Trojan, and I’m happy for these kids, especially these seniors getting celebrated on Senior Night,” Norton said.

Now 8-0, Johnson County will turn its attention to Georgia Military College Prep School (GMC) this Friday as the Trojans look to keep their unbeaten season intact.