It was a standstill all the way up until overtime Thursday as the Cloudland Jr. Highlanders paid a visit to the Jr. Bulldogs.
After a defensive showdown for four quarters, the two squads went into overtime with nothing but zeros on the board.
The Jr. Highlanders took possession first from ten yards out from pay dirt before Cloudland’s Seth Birchfield plowed ahead on three consecutive carries to get the Jr. ‘Landers on the 2-yard line. On fourth down, Cloudland’s Caleb Sluder knocked in the 2-yard touchdown, and with the 2-point conversion failing, the Jr. Highlanders held a small 6-0 lead.
Hampton would set up ten yards out as well but would come up short as Jr. Highlanders defense fought to keep the ‘Dogs out of the end zone. On fourth-and-2, Sluder made a big hit on Hampton’s Connor Jones to keep Hampton from scoring.
“Sluder really stepped it up,” said Cloudland coach Rick Birchfield. “He did a good job. I was really tickled with our lineman. They did a really good job as well.”
Johnson County 34, Happy Valley 14
The Jr. Warriors hosted the Johnson County Jr. Longhorns Thursday night.
Failing to lasso Johnson County’s Corie Neeley, Happy Valley fell 34-12.
Neeley finished the night with 156 yards rushing with six touchdowns.
The Jr. Warriors scored in the first quarter as Trey Rutledge returned a kickoff 68 yards.
Heading into the half Johnson County led 18-6 before taking a 26-6 lead after three.
Happy Valley score one more time in the fourth as QB Blake Garrmon pushed in from two yards out.