Johnson Central blanks Bell County 36-0

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PINEVILLE — Reigning Class 4A state champion Johnson Central picked up right where it had left off in December, blanking host Bell County 36-0 in a high school football season opener on Friday, Sept. 11.Johnson Central, which led 22-0 at halftime. notched its 16th straight win. Perennial state title contender Johnson Central forced Bell County to play from behind throughout the season opener. The Golden Eagles rushed 52 times for 328 yards and four touchdowns.Senior athlete Dylan Preston scored five touchdowns to lead Johnson Central to the victory.On the ground, Preston rushed 18 times for 147 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, Preston was on the receiving end of a 9-yard scoring pass from quarterback Grant Rice. Ranking second in rushing for the Golden Eagles, Blayden Sexton rushed nine times for 71 yards.Along with Preston and Sexton, contributing to a diverse rushing attack, Matt Crum rushed 10 times for 44 yards. Rice, who reached the endzone on a two-point conversion run, completed two of four passes for 49 yards and one touchdown for the Golden Eagles. Toby Spriggs hauled in a 40-yard reception from Rice. Defensively, Johnson Central limited Bell County to 56 yards of total offense in the season opener. Johnson Central entered the week with an open date scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18.