Johnson Central captured its fifth straight Class 4A regional championship behind a speedy ground game and rock-solid defense as the Golden Eagles knocked off Wayne County, 36-7, in a game played at Eagle Field on Friday night.
The Golden Eagles, now 13-0, will host Madisonville-North Hopkins (11-2) next Friday with a berth in the state title game on the line.
Running back Devin Johnson rushed for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 10 carries while quarterback Ryley Preece added 83 yards and scored the game’s first touchdown on 11 rushes. Cody Rice had 65 yards and a touchdown on five carries. Dillon Preston added a rushing score.
At Paintsville
(Class 4A regional championship)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
WC (10-2)…0 0 0 7 – 7
JC (13-0)…..14 7 7 8 – 36
Scoring:
First Quarter
JC – Ryley Preece, 15-yard run (Jake Headly kick), 10:00
JC – Devin Johnson, 14-yard run (Jake Headly kick), 8:13
Second Quarter
JC – Cody Rice, 45-yard run (Jake Headly kick), :50
Third Quarter
JC – Dillon Preston, 23-yard run (Jake Headly kick), 11:10
Fourth Quarter
JC – Devin Johnson, 26-yard run (Devin Johnson run), 11:44
WC – Braedon Slone, 5-yard run (Patrick Radilla kick), 4:55
Next up: Johnson Central (13-0) vs. Madisonville-North Hopkins (11-2), Class 4A state semifinals, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 29.
PHOTO CREDIT: Paintsville Herald