Knights finally get to strut after win over Spartans

OAKWOOD - It's been nearly four days since Johnson fans rushed the field after the Knights beat West Hall for the first time in nine years.

But most of the players, coaches and fans are still hovering somewhere over I-985 today as school comes back for the first day since the big win.

"It was a great weekend," coach Blair Armstrong said Tuesday morning. "Some of the players have never beaten West Hall, whether it was middle school, high school or whatever, and for the first time they were able to walk around town and not have to hear about losing again. I just feel great for these kids."

How long had it been for the Knights?

Bill Clinton had not even considered running for re-election yet. Ray Goff was still coaching the Georgia Bulldogs and Nirvana was the No. 1 rock band in the world.

"It was a huge confidence boost," said Armstrong, who said last week they needed a win over the arch-rivals to prove they were ready to take the next step. The Knights advanced to the pplayoffs last year for the first time in a decade but were knocked out in the opening round.

"I think this shows the kids they can play. But we didn't play that well on offense - but West Hall's defense was outstanding - so when they see the film they'll realize they are still a ways from where they are capable of getting too," he said.

The Knights are off this week before back-to-back home games against Pickens Sept. 12 and Chestatee on Sept. 19.

"This puts us in a great position, but there's still a lot of football left. The hard part, at least for the next week, will be getting the guys to come back down," Armstrong said.