Written By: JMF
The Eagles of Johnson Central welcomed the undefeated Tomcats of Ashland Blazer to Johnson County. It was a matchup of two undefeated district titans. Ashland was undefeated and had looked like a well-oiled machine that was destroying everything in their path. However, on this night, the Eagles would run through and over the Tomcats on their way to a 36-33 victory. The Eagles have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the 2 district rivals.
It was a close game throughout. Johnson Central would strike first on a 29-yard touchdown run by Carter Conley. After the successful PAT, the Eagles were up 7-0. The Tomcats would respond and tie the game at 7 after a 24-yard Braxton Jennings run.
The Eagles would retake the lead in the 2nd quarter on a 2-yard Logan Morrow touchdown run. With the Eagles now leading 14-7, the Tomcats would look to score. Maverick Ashby would get the Tomcats to within 1 point on a 14-yard touchdown run. That would be the halftime score, 14-13 in favor of the Eagles.
The Eagles would come out and start the 3rd quarter with some trickery. The Eagles would run an onside kick to start the 2nd half and would successfully recover the kick. The Eagles would immediately go back to work on offense. The drive would end with the Eagles finding the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run by Morrow. The Eagles would lead 20-13 after the 2-point conversion failed.
Ashland wasn’t going to go away easily. Ashland would score at the 4:36 mark on an 8-yard touchdown run by Braxton Jennings. The Tomcats would go for the 2-point conversion and it would fail, leaving the score at 20-19 in favor of the Eagles.
The 4th quarter would prove much of the same back-and-forth action. The Eagles would score on a Logan Music 1-yard touchdown run and would successfully convert the 2-point conversion to push their lead to 28-19.
Ashland would waste little time to find the end zone again. In less than 45 seconds the Tomcats would find pay dirt on a 55-yard touchdown pass from LaBryant Strader to Sam Lyon. The Tomcats would get the 2-point conversion to bring the score to 28-27.
The Eagles would strike again with 2:26 remaining. This time, Music would break a 23-yard touchdown run. After the successful 2-point conversion, the Eagles would lead 36-27.
Once again, the Tomcats would go to the air attack. This time, Strader would connect with Jennings for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion would fail.
With the Eagles leading 36-33, they would run out the clock and win the game and the Class 4A, District 6 championship.
LaBryant Strader would finish the game completing 10 of 17 passes for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Tomcats. Braxton Jennings had 6 carries for 47 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. Maverick Ashby finished with 3 carries for 13 yards and a rushing touchdown.
In addition to the rushing yards, Jennings also had 3 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown reception. Sam Lyons had 1 catch for 55 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles only attempted 1 pass in the game. Carter Conley ran the ball 19 times for 106 yards and 1 touchdown. Logan Morrow carried the ball 24 times for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns. Christian Barnes had 16 carries for 80 yards. Logan Music carried the ball 9 times for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns. In total the Eagles had 350 yards rushing and 5 rushing TDs.
Ashland (8-1) will look to bounce back this coming Friday as they host Simon Kenton (5-3). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Johnson Central has a bye week and now turns their attention to the playoffs.
