Balanced Johnson Central beats Harlan County 46-8

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PAINTSVILLE – Johnson Central used a balanced offensive attack to beat visiting Harlan County 46-8 in the first round of the Class 4A UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl at Eagle Field on Friday, Nov. 20.

The win allowed Johnson Central to move to 8-0 and advance to the second round of the Class 4A UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl.

Junior quarterback Grant Rice led Johnson Central to the win, completing six of seven passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns.

As part of a diverse offensive effort, Johnson Central rushed 19 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior athlete Dylan Preston led Johnson Central in rushing and receiving. On the ground, Preston rushed six times for 75 yards and one touchdown. Through the air, Preston hauled in two receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown.

In addition to Preston, senior Toby Spriggs and sophomore Mason Lawson hauled in one touchdown pass reception apiece for the Golden Eagles.

Zach Russell, a senior tight end, hauled in a team-high three receptions for Johnson Central in the victory.

Lawson ranked as the Golden Eagles' second-leading rusher, rushing two times for 66 yards and one touchdown.

Delivering another touchdown, Caiden Yates scored from 12 yards out for Johnson Central in the second half.

Junior offensive lineman Owen LeMaster recovered a fumble for the Golden Eagles.

Defensively for the Golden Eagles, Chase Price posted 12 tackles while Mason Lemaster registered nine tackles.

Chipping in defensively for Johnson Central, Chandler Spradlin added an interception.

Johnson Central is scheduled to host Letcher County Central in the second round of the Class 4A UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl on Friday, Nov. 27.