Friday March 29th, 2024 8:10AM

Knights' showdown with Clarke Central moved to Thursday

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

OAKWOOD — Johnson will play its next-to-last regular season game a day early this week.

In an email from Hall County Athletics Director Gordon Higgins, the Knights will take on Clark Central in a Region 8-5A matchup in Athens on Thursday instead of Friday.

"Because of a shortage of football officials created in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael football game cancellations across the state, Clarke-Central asked Johnson to consider moving this week’s game to Thursday, October 25.  Johnson agreed last week during negotiations to move the game from Friday, October 26 to Thursday, October 25," Higgins' email stated.

Johnson is still alive for its first playoff berth since 2004 but would have to win its final two games and have Walnut Grove lose its final two games.

JOHNSON at CLARKE CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
-- WHERE: Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens
-- JOHNSON (4-4, 0-3 Region 8-5A): Bye last week; lost 45-20 to Cedar Shoals on Oct. 12
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-5A): Bye last week; defeated Walnut Grove 40-3 on Oct. 12
-- NOTABLE: Clarke Central leads series 18-1-1. The Gladiators won 42-14 in 2017 in Athens. The Gladiators have won 17 straight going back to 1975. The only Johnson win came in the very first meeting in 1972, 23-12 in Athens. ... The Knights have not made the playoffs since 2004 but are clinging to a slim playoff hope despite being winless in region play. If they can pull the upset over the Gladiators and beat Loganville next week, AND have Walnut Grove drop its final two games (Buford, Cedar Shoals) they can sneak into the fourth and final playoff spot. ... Clarke Central, however, has found its groove again after a midseason slump. The Gladiators have won two straight with the defense leading the way and allowing just 6 points on a pair of field goals. They have not yielded a touchdown since Sept. 28 in a loss to Cedar Shoals. ... After opening the season 4-1 and averaging 36.0 ppg, Johnson has found the going tough in region playing scoring just 34 total points and giving up an average of 43.0 ppg.

© Copyright 2024 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.