LITTLE ROCK – Hugs, handshakes, fist pumps, and selfies were in abundance for the Junction City Dragons, and for good reason.
The Dragons dominated the final moments of their Class 2A state final against Hazen, outlasting the Hornets 36-22 Friday evening at War Memorial Stadium.
“We got a monkey off our back. I’m proud to bring a state title back to our community,” said Dragon coach Steven Jones. “Junction City is a football town. We eat it up. If you don’t win it all, people are mad at you for a year. And the people are happy right now!”
In the final stages of the game, the Hornets ran out of steam. Junction City took advantage of its depth, and a swing in momentum, outscoring Hazen 16-0 in the fourth quarter.
Junction City (12-2) grabbed its first lead of the game, 23-22, when Jack Smith made a 25-yard field goal with 11:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.
After forcing Hazen to punt, the Dragon offense struck once again.
This time, Jakiron Cook caught a short pass from quarterback Brady Hutcheson, shook off the tackle-attempt by a Hazen defensive back, cut back toward the middle of the field and raced his way to a 63-yard touchdown. The two-point try was stopped short of the goal line.
With 8:22 left in the fourth, Junction City led 29-22.
The Dragons put the game out of reach when Dhante Gibson, the game’s Most Valuable Player, ran 30 yards for a touchdown with 1:13 remaining in the fourth. Smith’s extra point made the score 36-22.
When all was said and done, the Dragons earned the state title, their first since 2014.
Junction City used its depth to eventually wear down Hazen building momentum and rolling to a victory. However, early in the game the Hornets had plenty of vigor.
With the first possession of the contest, Hazen (13-1) marched down the field. The Hornets’ drive ended with Tarrall Penn plunging into the end zone from a yard out. Hazen then converted the two-point attempt to grab an 8-0 lead.
But the Dragons responded immediately.
Junction City cut into the Hazen lead when Cook took a handoff, busted up the gut of the Hornet defense, and ran untouched down the middle of the field on his way to a 58-yard touchdown. The Dragons’ two-point attempt failed. The score was now 8-6.
The Hornets added to their lead when Penn scampered 53-yards for a TD. Hazen converted its two-point attempt thanks to a tough run by Ay’Jon Green. The score was now 16-6 with 6:24 left in the first half.
Hazen’s TD came shortly after Junction City was called for roughing the kicker on a Hornet punt attempt. The result was a new set of downs for Hazen. Ultimately, the penalty set the stage for Penn’s TD run.
However, with less than 30 seconds left until the intermission, Hutcheson connected with DJ Hill for a 38-yard pass in the middle of the field to put the ball on the Hornet 1.
On the following play, Gibson crossed the goal line making the score 16-12. Junction City was unable to convert its two-point try.
The Dragons converted a key fourth-and-inches near midfield to setup the eventual touchdown.
With its first possession of the second half, the Hornets used a pass to increase their lead.
Quarterback Blayne Toll connected with freshman wide receiver Quincey McAdoo for a 58-yard touchdown pass. The Dragons stopped the two-point try as the score remained 22-12.
Later in the third, Junction City bounced back with a TD of its own when Hutcheson completed a 16-yard pass to Kevontae Haynes. Gibson converted the two-point try as Hazen’s lead was now 22-20.
Heading into the final quarter of play, with Junction City in prime scoring position, the Hornets clung to their slim lead.
However, in the closing minutes, the Dragons simply wore down Hazen en route to a 16-point win. This is the Dragons’ seventh state championship.
Gibson finished with 153 yards on 21 carries. Cody Atkins was Junction City’s Burlsworth award recipient; an honor which goes to the top lineman for each team.