GAINESVILLE — Johnson football is off to its best start since 2003 -- and Knights coach Jason Roquemore says it is all down to his players.
Johnson took a 30-14 road win against Riverside Military Academy at Maginnis Field on Friday -- and Roquemore, in his best ever start with the program he's led for six-plus seasons -- basked in the joy it is giving his players.
“We’ve had some high times in my tenure, and we’ve had some low times,” Roquemore said. “You always have to keep things in perspective. This is a tribute to our kids. They continue to trust, continue to believe and continue to endure and persevere. Hats off to them. The game’s about the players.”
Senior quarterback Sam Corbett and junior running back Jacob Cadle led the way for Johnson, as they tallied up 304 rushing yards and scored all four Knights’ touchdowns. Corbett rolled up 138 yards on the ground with 27 carries and two touchdowns, while Cadle earned 166 rushing yards on 30 touches and the other two Johnson touchdowns.
The Knights’ defense stifled the Eagles’ offense early, forcing two safeties in the opening quarter. Johnson finally got their vicious ground game going in the second quarter, as Cadle ran for a touchdown from 16 yards out before Corbett punched in a one-yard run to give the Knights an 18-0 advantage going into the half.
Johnson’s defense was able to keep the high-powered Riverside offense scoreless for more than three quarter before the Eagles were able to get on the board.
Johnson had a 24-0 advantage in the final quarter thanks to Corbett’s second touchdown run of the day, before the Eagles finally ended the shutout.
Riverside scored on 61-yard run by sophomore wide receiver Jashod Dabney via double reverse to cut the Knights’ lead to 16 after a successful two-point conversion.
Dabney finished the night with three carries for 74 yards and one touchdown on the ground, and three receptions on five targets for 23 yards.
Then, after Cadle’s second touchdown to give Johnson a 22-point lead, the Eagles struck pay dirt again. Senior quarterback Isaac Teasley ran it in from one yard out to make the score 30-14.
Teasley finished the game with 11 carries for 35 yards and one rushing touchdown, and threw 7-14 for 108 yards and one interception.
Johnson now has confidence and momentum, and a little bit of swagger, on their side heading into region play in two weeks.
“Hopefully the confidence and momentum continues to build for our kids,” Coach Roquemore said. “Couldn’t be more happy for our kids, for the way that they played and finished.”
The Knights (3-1) will look to secure their third victory in a row next week when they host non-region opponent Cross Keys (0-4) in Oakwood next Friday.
Riverside (1-2) will have a bye this week before they host a tough Prince Avenue Christian team (4-0) in the Eagles’ region 8-A opener at Maginnis field in Gainesville on Sep. 21.
SCORING SUMMARY
JOHNSON......4....14....0....12 -- 30
RIVERSIDE....0......0....0....14 -- 14
First Quarter
JHS - Safety, 2-0, 5:58
JHS - Safety, 4-0, 1:54
Second Quarter
JHS - Jacob Cadle 16-yard run (Barkley kick) 11-0, 10:13
JHS - Sam Corbett one-yard run (Barkley kick) 18-0, 4:14
Fourth Quarter
JHS - Sam Corbett seven-yard run (kick blocked) 24-0, 9:20
RMA - Jashod Dabney 61-yard run (Teasley run) 24-8, 7:55
JHS - Jacob Cadle 25-yard run (2-point conversion failed) 30-8, 3:56
RMA - Isaac Teasley one-yard run (2-point conversion failed) 30-14, 1:41
