Jr. Warriors lose a heartbreaker to Johnson County, 14-8
Published 12:59 am Saturday, September 7, 2019
1 of 6
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde A Johnson Co. defender bats down a ball Thursday night against Happy Valley.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde A Happy Valley defender brings down a Johnson County runner.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde Happy Valley's quarterback lets the ball fly downfield.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde A Warrior defender tries to contain a Johnson Co. outside run.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde A defender for Happy Valley holds on for dear life to bring down the runner for Johnson Co.
Star Photo/Brandon Hyde A Warriors running back struggles to hold onto the ball as he is hit in the backfield.
BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
HAPPY VALLEY – Thursday night saw a dominant performance from the Johnson County Middle Longhorns, but they failed to ever capitalize on their offensive successes.
The game literally came down to the last play where the Longhorns would eventually have the last laugh.
The game got fired off to a fast start with Johnson County attempting an onside kick to start the game.
The kick, however, was recovered by Happy Valley and the Warriors took over on a short field.
Following a first play loss of seven yards, the Warriors found success with a deep ball when AJ Campbell found Waylon McKeehan for 16 yards.
The drive would, however, stall out and the Warriors would turn the ball over on downs.
After a couple of successful rushes from running back Kyle Sluder, the Longhorns were met with a big fourth down.
Ethan Simcox would then find Houston Barlow for a seven-yard gain and a first down.
Joseph Sowards then took the quarterback down for a loss of five yards. Simcox would then find Chad Morefield for 50 yards and a huge Johnson County first down.
A few plays later, Sluder would finish the drive punching the ball in for the one-yard touchdown. Sluder also converted the two-point conversion making the score 8-0.
Johnson County would again kick an onside kick but was once again unsuccessful.
The Warriors would find a few successful chunks of yardage plays before turning the ball over on a fumble.
After a couple of unsuccessful running plays, the Longhorns would try and convert a fourth and long deep in their own territory, but would instead throw a pick-six to McKeehan who also converted the two-point conversion.
The score was deadlocked at 8-8 going into the half with Johnson County set to receive the opening kick of the second half.
The Warriors attempted to kick an onside kick, but Johnson County would recover.
Their stint with the ball was short-lived, however, as the Warriors would force a turnover on downs.
After a couple of unsuccessful plays, Johnson County would pick off an AJ Campbell pass and the Longhorns would take over.
Johnson County embarked on a drive that would last over nine minutes and span all the way into the fourth quarter.
Several plays and penalties later, the Longhorns faced a fourth and goal and after feeding Chase Muncy multiple times they would give the ball to Morefield who was knocked down for a loss by McKeehan.
With the ball again, Happy Valley would be aided by penalties but also hindered by them quickly giving the ball back to the Longhorns.
The tide would once again shift when Tucker Shoun picked off a pass from Johnson County and would return it deep into Longhorn territory with less than a minute left.
Following two consecutive bad plays, Andrew Blevins would find Shoun for 16 yards setting up a fourth and one.
The Warriors would, unfortunately, come up short and the Longhorns took over on downs.
With four seconds left and on their own 16, the Longhorns would throw big number 88, Houston Barlow, back at quarterback for a last-ditch Hail Mary.
His prayers would be answered as he threw an absolute dime to Morefield for an 84-yard touchdown as the clock ran down to zeros.
The 14-8 loss was a massive blow to the Warriors and one of those games that will need a bit of recovery to bounce back from.
