Johnson Central played keep away from upset-minded Corbin and the Golden Eagle defense held the Redhounds offense in-check for three quarters in a 28-14 regional championship win in a game played in the rain at Eagle Field on Friday night.
The Golden Eagles, now 10-0 and winners of 25 straight games, will learn later Saturday who they will face in next weekend’s state semifinal. It marks the sixth straight year Johnson Central will play for a berth in the Class 4A title game.
Running back and Mr. Football candidate Dylan Preston ran for 191 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He had runs of nine and two yards to help the Golden Eagles build a 14-0 halftime lead. His 20-yard scamper in the final seconds of the third period pushed the lead to 21-0.
Quarterback Grant Rice rushed for 118 yards on 14 rushing attempts and Mason Lawson had 77 yards on 16 carries and a five-yard TD run with under five minutes to go.
At Paintsville
(Class 4A regional championship)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
CB (8-2)…..0 0 0 14 – 14
JC (10-0)….7 7 7 7 – 28
Scoring:
First Quarter
JC – Dylan Preston, 2-yard run (Austin Ratliff kick), 3:36
Second Quarter
JC – Dylan Preston, 9-yard run (Austin Ratliff kick), 9:33
Third Quarter
JC – Dylan Preston, 20-yard run (Austin Ratliff kick), :03
Fourth Quarter
CB – Seth Mills, 54-yard pass from Cameron Combs (Baker kick), 10:44
JC – Mason Lawson, 5-yard run (Austin Ratliff kick), 6:42
CB – Brody Wells, 11-yard pass from Cameron Combs (Baker kick), 4:54
Next up: Johnson Central (10-0) vs. TBA, 7:30 pm, Dec. 11.
PHOTO CREDIT/Golden Eagle Photography