OAKWOOD — Johnson held Madison County to just 19 yards rushing while pounding out 240 yards on the ground of its own in taking an impressive 17-0 victory over the Red Raiders in both teams’ season openers at Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium.
The defense preserved the shutout late in the game with a goalline stand.
Freshman Sam Corbett, making his first-ever varsity start for the Knights, helped engineer several solid drives in their triple-option attack, including a team-high 70 yards of his own.
"The way Sam played tonight was good for him. He’s gotten better each week," Johnson coach Jason Roquemore said. "I’m excited about what the future holds for him."
Cody Long gave Johnson (1-0) a 7-0 lead late in the second quarter. Corbett later connected with Orion Pittman for a 28-yard touchdown pass and Jose Morales booted a 26-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
"I thought we were able to dominate up front and that was what we want to do," Roquemore said. "We still have plenty of things to work on though."
For the Knights, who are playing a non-region schedule outside of Region 8-AAAA, it was their first victory over a region opponent since beating Oconee County in 2010 while in Region 8-AAA. Johnson plays in Region 8-AAAA in all other sports.
"We talked about that afterwards," Roquemore said. "If we were playing a region schedule we would be in first place right now. This is part of the process but its big for us."
The victory also sets the stage for what should be a rejuvenated “Battle of Oakwood” next week at West Hall.
"That will be a special one. We’ll have our work cut out for us," Roquemore said.
