Dragons dominate Bulldogs

STRONG – Fifty first-half points behind a formidable rushing attack highlighted Class 2A No. 2 Junction City’s 57-0 win over Strong on Friday night from Jerry Burson Field as the Dragons officially returned to 8-2A play for the first time in over two and a half years.

Junction City (2-2, 1-0 8-2A) needed just 32 plays offensively, 30 of which came on the ground, to take care of the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-1 8-2A) in the conference opener for both teams. The Dragons totaled 253 yards rushing and completed one pass for 26 yards to senior D.J. Hill and took advantage of five Strong turnovers, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, to pick up a much-needed win after back-toback losses.

The Dragon defense allowed just 97 yards of total offense to Strong as the Bulldogs ran 43 plays, while possessing the football for almost 30 minutes.

Senior running back Dhante Gibson carried 11 times for 103 yards and four touchdowns, while juniors Jakiron Cook and De’Andre Malone got in on the scoring act as well as Cook found the end zone twice on five carries for 87 yards and Malone scored once on six rushes for 43 yards.

After a 60-yard kickoff return by Jakiron Cook put Junction City in the red zone to start their first offensive drive of the game, Gibson scored from three-yards out on the third play of the game and the Junction City offense did not look back.

Touchdown runs from Gibson (29 yards) and Cook (35 yards) put the Dragons out front by three possessions and a defensive touchdown scored by senior Bryce Ware on a forced fumble by junior Kyle Kidwell gave Junction City a 28-0 lead through one quarter of play.

Junction City would score three more times before the intermission as Gibson added a pair of one-yard rushing touchdowns and Cook scored from nine-yards out. Gibson’s second touchdown of the second quarter came after a Devontay Gilbert interception, while Cook’s second rushing touchdown of the night came after he picked off Strong deep in Bulldog territory to set the Dragon offense up inside the Strong ten-yard line.

The Dragons’ final score of the night came early in the third quarter as sophomore Vadarian Sapp recovered a fumble at the Strong 39-yard line to give Junction City good field position on their opening drive of the second half. After runs of eight yards and 30 yards, Malone eased in from the one-yard line on Junction City’s third-play of the quarter giving the Dragons a 57-0 advantage. On the next Strong drive, Sapp added another fumble recovery.

Senior J’vacye’ Cook led Junction City with 8 tackles and Kidwell followed with six stops, while Ware and Jakiron Cook each had five tackles. The Dragons collected seven tackles for loss.

For Strong, senior Troy Rowland carried 30 times for 82 yards and returned eight kickoffs for 81 yards.

Junction City continues 8-2A Conference play next Friday, September 28, as the Dragons return to Paul H. Muse Field at David Carpenter Stadium for a clash with Hampton. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from the Bordertown. Fans can follow the Dragons live each and every week on the Dragon Sports Network via UStream and 101.5 The Hog.