It was an emotional return to the football field for the Johnson Central Golden Eagles just days after head coach Jim Matney passed away from COVD-related complications.
In a pre-game ceremony, his wife, Debby, and sons, Carson, and Dalton, unveiled a banner renaming Eagle Field – Jim Matney Field, forever immortalizing the legendary mentor.
During the pre-game coin toss, his sons took part, both wearing the number 21, which Matney wore as a player at belfry.
On the field, the Golden Eagles cruised to a 42-6 district win over the Clay County Tigers to move to 4-2.
Carter Conley and Zack McCoart had a pair of rushing touchdowns each. Jacob Cain returned an interception for another. McCoart finished with 154 yards on four carries and Carter added 100 yards on three carries.
At Paintsville
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
CC (4-2)……..0 6 0 0 – 6
JC (4-2).……22 14 6 0 – 42
Scoring:
First Quarter
JC – Carter Conley, 30-yard run (Jacob Cain pass from Grant Rice), 9:39
JC – Jacob Cain, 21-yard INT (Sawyer Crum kick), 9:27
JC – Matt Crum, 2-yard run (Sawyer Crum kick), 3:10
Second Quarter
JC – Zack McCoart, 29-yard run (Sawyer Crum kick), 11:54
JC – Zack McCoart, 58-yard run (Sawyer Crum kick), 8:18
CC – Zachary Saylor, 10-yard pass from Tate Rice (pass failed), :05
Third Quarter
Carter Conley, 68-yard run (kick failed), 4:56
Fourth Quarter
No scoring
Next up: Johnson Central (4-2) at Perry Central (4-2), 7:30 pm, Oct. 8.