1979 CLASS A STATE CHAMPS

JOCO FOOTBALL

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ECI 32 JOCO 31

The Johnson County Trojans lost a heartbreaker to ECI, 32-31.  The Trojans outgained the Bulldogs 443-356 but a couple of special teams collapses proved to be the undoing of the Trojans.  A blocked field goal was returned for one ECI touchdown and a blocked punt set the Bulldogs up for another touchdown.  The win clinches the #1 seed in the sub-region for ECI.  JOCO must defeat Treutlen this Friday to claim the #2 seed and the right to host a region playoff game.

JOCO took the opening kickoff but was stopped in three plays by the ECI defense.  After a good punt by Alex Allen, ECI took over.  ECI put together a little drive but turned the ball over on downs at the JOCO 28.  The Trojans scored in six plays from there.  Zack Walker caught two big passes on the drive but D. J. Rozier went the final four yards for the touchdown.  The extra point attempt was wide right.  ECI answered with a score of their own on the next possession.  They only had to go 40 yards after a good kickoff return.  Their extra point was successful and they led 7-6.  JOCO went 68 yards in five plays to answer.  D. J. Rozier connected with Zack Walker from 10 yards out for the score.  The big play on the drive was a 49 yard run by D. J. Rozier.  A failed onside kick attempt set the Bulldogs up in good field position but on the first play from scrimmage they fumbled it right back to the Trojans.  Barely over two minutes later D. J. Rozier hit Zack Walker for the Trojans third touchdown of the half.  The score was 18-7.  After moving the ball 44 yards down to the JOCO 27, ECI fumbled again.  The Trojans used 9 plays to get the ball down to the ECI 10 where the drive stalled.  D. J. Rozier got a little banged up and was out of the game for the last 2 plays of the drive.  JOCO lined up for a costly field goal attempt.  Octavis Gordon blocked the kick and Robert Newkirk scooped it up and took it the distance to put ECI back in the game.   After an extra point the score was 18-14.  To the Trojans credit they didn't let it get them down.  After an unsportsmanlike penalty on the ECI sideline JOCO had good field position at the ECI 47.  Three plays later the Trojans answered.  A 19 yard completion to Zack Walker set the Trojans up at the 22.  D. J. Rozier connected with Shamarko Brown for the final 22 yards.  The score was JOCO 25 ECI 14. 

ECI came out the second half on a mission.  They took the opening kickoff and in only four plays scored to cut the JOCO lead to 25-20.  After stopping the Trojans after only one first down ECI got the second big special teams play of the night.  Octavis Gordon blocked the punt and it rolled all the way down to the seven.  It is my understanding that Mr. Gordon has blocked six kicks this season.  ECI scored three plays later to take the lead 26-25.  Once again JOCO answered the bell.  This time Larry Taylor went all 53 yards on the drive, the final 46 for a touchdown.  JOCO regained the lead 31-26.  ECI answered by going 67 yards in 11 plays.  The final touchdown of the game was scored with 1:13 left in the 3rd quarter.  The Trojans threatened to regain the lead on their final possession of the game.  Starting at their own 22 JOCO marched down to the ECI 29.  The Trojans converted 4th and 9 inside the 20 but were called for holding.  After a delay of game penalty the Trojans faced 4th and 24 from the 46.  They were unable to convert.  ECI took the ball with 4:34 remaining in the game.  It looked like the Trojans would get one final chance but on a 4th and 5 JOCO jumped offsides giving ECI a first down and the ability to run out the clock.

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This page was last modified on September 17, 2010