HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Johnson Central tops Central, 28-21
Aug. 18—Nathan Hutchinson
The Indians (0-1) battled back from a two-touchdown, first-half deficit on the road against one of the top Class 4A teams in the state.
They never could, though, take the lead.
Johnson County got a pair of rushing touchdowns from senior quarterback Jacob Grimm in the fourth quarter and held on for a 28-21 win on Friday in the season opener for both teams.
Madison Central's Cody Morrison caught a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Eli Steele and Jackson Prichard also had a TD catch. The Indians had 211 yards passing and finished with 300 total yards.
Steele was 12-of-18 for 176 yards, but left the game in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit. He was taken to the emergency room following the game.
The Golden Eagles finished with 407 yards of total offense, 340 of which came on the ground.
Johnson Central took a 7-0 lead on a 10-yard run by Logan Morrow with 7:11 left in the first quarter. Christian Barnes had a 2-yard TD in the second quarter.
Less than a minute later, though, Steele hit Morrison on a 55-yard touchdown pass.
The Indians trailed 14-7 at the half, but pulled even with 5:42 left in the third quarter on a 24-yard catch by Morrison.
The Golden Eagles pushed back out to a 14-point lead on TD runs of 1 and 24 yards by Grimm.
After Steele left the game, Parker Mullins threw a 34-yard TD to Prichard with 1:48 left in regulation.
Bryant Mathis had 52 yards rushing for Central on 13 carries. Steele had 33 yards on the ground.
The Indians are set to return to action Friday at home against Lexington Catholic.
