OAKWOOD — Johnson football is off to a 2-1 start in its 2018 campaign after defeating Cherokee Bluff, 34-13, on Friday.
The two non-region opponents battled it out for the first time ever in Oakwood on Friday night, and it the Knights’ run game proved the determining factor.
Johnson bounced back from a tough, 41-8 loss last week against rival West Hall with a statement win on their home turf. Senior quarterback Sam Corbett, despite not completing a single pass, led the way for the Knights with 144 yards on 16 carries and added three touchdowns in the 21-point victory.
“Coach Roquemore said Monday, ‘it’s all about redemption,’” Corbett said. “We went out and lost pretty bad to a Hall County team, but we came out tonight and were on the opposite end of the scoreboard. Even though it’s not a region game, a win in a Hall County game means a lot.”
Corbett had plenty of help in the backfield, as two other Johnson players finished with over 100 yards on the ground. Senior running back Garry Daies added 106 yards on eight carries and one touchdown, while junior running back Jacob Cadle had 135 yards on 16 carries for the Knights.
“We have four guys in the backfield that can get it done,” Corbett said. “If I’m shut down, the three other guys can go. And the offensive line played a great game tonight.”
The Bears looked to be in sync early, and even took a 7-6 lead with 2:30 remaining in the first half courtesy of a 10-yard run by junior running back Zach Merced, marking the Bluff’s first touchdown and points scored in school history.
Merced and senior quarterback Connor Boyd had trouble getting past a stifling Knights’ defensive front that only allowed 147 total yards of offense, however. Merced finished night with six rushing yards on eight carries and one touchdown, while Boyd rushed for 33 yards and one touchdown. Boyd also completed 12 of 35 passes for 91 yards.
Johnson appeared set to pull away, taking a 19-7 lead in the middle of the third quarter, but the Bears clawed their way back to make it 19-13 in the beginning part of the fourth quarter.
The Knights responded with 15 unanswered points, however, to put the game out of reach. Ethan Bruce added the final exclamation point for Johnson, punching in a one-yard touchdown run, to make the score 34-13 with 2:40 left in the game. Bruce finished the day 42 rushing yards on six carries.
The Knights (2-1) look to keep rolling next week as they travel to face Riverside Military Academy (1-1) in Gainesville.
Cherokee Bluff (0-3) hopes to bounce back and get their first win in program history next week when they travel to Athens and play Athens Academy (2-0).
SCORE SUMMARY:
CHEROKEE BLUFF....0.......7....0......6 -- 13
JOHNSON HIGH.........0.....12....7....15 -- 34
Second Quarter
JHS -- Garry Daies 17-yard run (2-point attempt failed) 6-0, 10:32
CB -- Zach Merced 10-yard run (Gill kick) 7-6, 2:30
JHS -- Sam Corbett one-yard run (2-point attempt failed) 12-7, 0:11
Third Quarter
JHS -- Sam Corbett two-yard run (Barkley kick) 19-7, 5:51
Fourth Quarter
CB -- Connor Boyd two-yard run (Gill kick blocked) 19-13, 10:17
JHS -- Sam Corbett two-yard run (Daies run) 27-13, 7:09
JHS -- Ethan Bruce one-yard run (Barkley kick) 34-13, 2:4
