News-Times Staff
JUNCTION CITY - As the postseason commences, it seems Junction City’s offense is beginning to hit on all cylinders.
Dhante Gibson racked up 177 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries, and Brady Hutcheson threw a pair of touchdown passes to Kevontae Haynes, as Junction City downed McCrory 37-8 in the opening round of the 2A playoffs Friday night.
The Dragons (8-2), the 8-2A’s No. 1 seed and winners of seven straight games, advance to the second round to take on Mountainburg, a 46-28 winner over Parkers Chapel, next Friday in Junction City.
The Dragons opened the scoring late in the first quarter.
After Junction City’s defense came up with a fourth-down stop at their 27, the Dragons drove to McCrory’s 49 before Gibson broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run with Semaj Levingston’s two-point conversion making it 8-0 with 1:59 left in the opening period.
The Dragons led by the same score after the opening period, but quickly extended their lead in the second quarter.
After forcing a punt, the Dragons scored on the first play of the ensuing possession with Hutcheson connecting with Haynes on a 76-yard strike with Levingston’s two-point conversion pushing the lead to 16-0.
Late in the first half, Junction City’s special teams came up with a big play, as Jakiron Cook returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown with Gibson’s two-point conversion giving the Dragons a 24-0 lead at intermission.
The Dragons opened the second half needing just four plays to add to their lead.
After a 38-yard run to give the Dragons a first-and-goal at the 9, Gibson scored one play later on a 3-yard run to make it 30-0.
The Dragons led by the same score after three periods of play, but on the first play of the fourth quarter, Hutcheson hooked up with Haynes for a second time, this touchdown pass spanning 48 yards with Jack Smith’s extra point making it 37-0 before the Jaguars (5-5) scored later in the stanza to make the final margin.
Hutcheson went 3-of-7 passing for 125 yards and two touchdowns with all three of his completions going to Haynes.
Junction City finished with 353 yards of total offense with 228 of those yards coming on the ground.