Wombles wows, Johnson County hangs 57 on Wilcox County to continue perfect streak

The defense dominated, and the offense demonstrated its diversity as Johnson County pounded Wilcox County 57-0 Friday night.

Chance Wombles completed 11 of 12 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns as the Trojans improved to 4-0 heading into Region 5 play.

“I was real proud of how we came out and played,” JoCo head coach Don Norton said. “I never would have expected a 57-to-nothing game. Our kids really got after it tonight. They played hard, and man, how about our defense?”

Johnson County entered the week averaging more than 350 yards per game on the ground, while throwing for just 146 yards in its first three games combined.

That changed in a hurry. 

Wombles connected with Jacaden Webb for a 66-yard touchdown to open the scoring, with Grayson Jackson adding the extra point. 

Wombles then scored on a five-yard run and Jackson converted again before Wombles found Jeremiah Scott for a 73-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Johnson County with a 20-0 first-quarter lead.

“And we threw it a little bit tonight, so that was fun,” Norton said. “I think everyone played, everyone had fun. A lot of different guys touched the ball, and I was very proud that we were able to come out and open up some things, work on a few things and have a little success.”

Scott and Wombles struck again in the second quarter, this time for a 68-yard touchdown. Scott later scored on a four-yard run, the defense added a safety and Kelsey Waters scored from 10 yards out as the Trojans carried a 43-0 lead into halftime. 

Jackson converted all three of his second-quarter extra-point attempts.

Wombles finished with three touchdown passes of 66, 73 and 68 yards. Scott caught five passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns while adding 23 yards and another touchdown on four carries.

“My line up front — I couldn’t do it without them,” Wombles said. “I’ve got some dogs in the back I can get the ball to, and great coaches that get me in the spot.”

Webb caught two passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Daezon Devero had three receptions for 52 yards. 

Johnson County finished with 335 yards through the air and 169 on the ground for 504 yards of total offense.

Matthew McCoy said the Trojans’ willingness to go to the air helped catch Wilcox off guard.

“Tonight we passed more than we ran it, and that took them by surprise,” McCoy said.

‘Man, how about our defense?’…

While the passing game provided the big plays, the Johnson County defense provided almost nothing for Wilcox.

The Patriots were held to just 41 yards of total offense, gaining 18 yards on 23 rushing attempts. Wilcox completed three of eight passes for 23 yards and threw an interception.

“Wow, what a performance by our defense,” Wombles said. “Our defense had a great night tonight. A shutout.”

Johnson County had done most of its work by halftime. 

Jeremiah Taylor scored on a four-yard run in the third quarter, and Kris Siren added a two-yard touchdown in the fourth to complete the scoring. Jackson converted both extra points and finished the night 7-for-8 on PATs.

Johnson County spread the work around as the lead grew. 

Taylor led the Trojans on the ground with 69 yards, while Zacarion Graddy added 33, Scott 23, Jamir Wadley 21 and Waters 18. Siren rushed for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Morgan Prosser added six yards. 

Through the air, Glen Jenkins added a 12-yard catch to the receiving totals posted by Scott, Webb and Devero.

The performance continued Scott’s impressive start to the season. He entered Friday with 12 touchdowns through the first three games. His three scores against Wilcox give him 15 touchdowns through four games, along with 403 rushing yards and 247 receiving yards.

Johnson County has now scored 172 points while permitting just 33 during its 4-0 start.

“We came in ready to play, and we executed,” McCoy said. “It’s related to our practice and how much we work at practice, and how much we’re going to keep on doing it to take it as far as we can go.”

The Trojans now turn their attention to Glascock County and their first Region 5 game of the season.

“I think we have a chance to go pretty far,” McCoy said. “If we keep on practicing like we play and play like we practice, we can end up making it all the way.”