Johnstown again dominates late, beats Utica for third consecutive win

JOHNSTOWN — The emotion could be felt everywhere you looked Friday as the Johnstown football team rallied in the fourth quarter to beat visiting Utica 30-24 at Frank H. Chambers Stadium.

The crowd was rocking and the cowbells were ringing throughout the game as the Johnnies (4-4, 3-0) won their third consecutive game to remained tied with Heath atop the Licking County League-Cardinal Division standings and jumped into Division IV, Region 15 playoff contention.

“I tell you what, we got our community, our fans, the band, cheerleaders, our school personnel, it's just electric,” Johnstown coach Mike Carter said.

The run game was the point of emphasis for the Johnnies. When it came down to who was going to walk away with the win, the Johnnies were able to impose their will.

In the first quarter, Utica (5-3, 1-2) received the ball to open the game. A strategic drive running the ball and eating up the clock would prove to work when junior quarterback Hayden Piper ran for a 9-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

The Johnnies were quick to respond, and senior Kaynen Lindsey broke loose on a 32-yard run to put them in scoring position. On fourth down, Lindsey powered into the end zone from a yard out, and Nana Owusu's two-point run gave them an 8-7 lead.

Senior Justin Giffin broke loose for a 25-yard run to build momentum for Utica going into the second quarter. A few plays later, a pass interference penalty put Utica in prime scoring position, and the opportunity was not wasted as Giffin ran for a 2-yard touchdown and a 14-8 lead.

The Johnnies looked to respond once again, but a couple plays into the drive Utica forced and recovered a fumble.

Utica pushed the ball downfield with the run game, eventually reaching the red zone. The Johnnies stood their ground, forcing Utica to settle for a Logen Fisher field goal and a 17-8 lead.

On the Johnnies next drive, they could not convert on fourth down as Utica maintained its 17-8 lead into halftime.

“We needed to make sure that we took care of ourselves," Carter said. "Fix the little things that we can we can fix, and go out and execute the way we know how to execute."

The Johnnies opened the third quarter with the ball and drove most of the field before eventually falling to another turnover on downs.

The defense had it covered, though, forcing a three-and-out. With a short amount of time left in the third quarter, junior Sam Marasek's option pitch to Lindsey went for a 30-yard TD to cut the Utica lead to 17-14.

After forcing another three-and-out, a facemask penalty on Utica moved the Johnnies down to the 14. On first down, fullback Landon Myers hit a wall of linemen but impressively managed to break through for a 14-yard TD before another Owusu two-point run to make it 22-17.

After a big fourth-down stop, the Johnnies were milking the clock, but Marasek broke loose on a draw play and ran for a 26-yard TD. Owusu followed with his third two-point run.

With under 1:30 left in the game, Piper hit senior Gavin Chinn for a 15-yard TD.

The Johnnies recovered the onside kick and ran the clock out.

“We just told them, 'Once we come in tomorrow morning, it's Northridge time,' so it stings tonight, we've got to learn, but we've got to get a quick turnaround and these guys will answer the call tomorrow,” said Utica coach Charlie Rowley.

Utica needs one more victory to clinch its first winning season since 2010 and remains in the Division V, Region 19 playoff hunt.

Lindsey ran for 219 yards with Marasek adding 86 more for Johnstown. Giffin ran for 92 yards, and Piper threw for 98 yards for Utica.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Johnstown Johnnies football beats Utica for third consecutive win