HARMONY GROVE - The Harmony Grove Hornets opened their 2023 season having to face not only a revitalized Junction City Dragons team, but injuries and cramps on a humid Friday night. It was a night where the Hornets were mentally ready, but not the same could be made physically. The Dragons, led by first-year head coach Devin Ball, had his team hungry to compete on the road against one of the top teams in 3A.
It to believed to be a long game for the Dragons when their first drive resulted in a turnover on downs and then immediately gave up a big scoring play in the first play from scrimmage for the Hornets. Senior quarterback Caleb Johnson found senior wide receiver Landon Garrett for a 25-yard touchdown.
As the first quarter went on, the heat took its toll on both teams. Junction City couldn’t get a long drive going until early in the second quarter when the tempo increased. The Dragons were able to tie the game up 6-6 with 9:56 minutes left in the second quarter thanks to a one-yard run from senior running back Jordavion Williams.
The Hornets were able to start the following drive with a 31-yard pass from Johnson to senior running back Damariyon Billingly. Two plays from scrimmage later, he was able to run in a touchdown after a 28-yard run from Garrett to set up the scoring play.
After the Hornets’ defense forced a punt from driving Dragons offense, Garrett was able to take the punt return and cut down the field for a 75-yard touchdown play to give the Hornets a 20-6 with 5:20 left until halftime.
That big play wouldn’t be celebrated long as the Dragons create a solid 13-play; 55-yard drive with halftime looming. With two seconds left, the Dragons were able to create a trick play with sophomore running back Brady Penister tossing it up for senior quarterback Montra Hankton catching it over Hornets senior cornerback Donnovin Walker. The Dragons’ two-point conversion was good as they reduced the Hornets’ lead to 20-14 going into halftime.
Coming out of halftime, the Hornets felt confident in driving the ball down the field after a huge 30-yard reception from junior wide receiver Colton Folge. The Dragons, however, were able to send multiple blitzes on a Hornets’ offense where Johnson was limited due to a nagging lower-body injury. Much later in the third quarter, Johnson found wide-open senior wide receiver Harry Nix, who he pushed his way in for a 45-yard touchdown to give the Hornets a 28-14 lead.
On the following play, Dragons kickoff returner Dominique Grimes, who also had a stellar performance as a wide receiver, returned an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put the Dragons back within one possession. That return came within the last nine seconds of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Dragons’ defense was starting to put serious pressure in the backfield as outside Dalton Baker was able to account for three consecutive stops, which included two sacks and a pass breakup on a screen.
The Dragons attempted one big push to potentially tie the game late in the fourth quarter. The defense of the Hornets was able to account for three clutch plays of their own in the Hornets’ territory. Hornets senior defensive end Christian Barnes made three consecutive stops, including two solo tackles on different ball-carriers and a sack.
Billingly’s big 30-yard run after the turnover on downs from Junction City allowed Harmony Grove to score thanks to a 15-yard run from Garrett. Harmony Grove extended its lead 34-22 with 1:18 left in the game. With the Dragons’ back against the wall, Hankton was able to find Grimes on a quick pass up the middle for a 59-yard touchdown play with 49 seconds left in the game. The failed two-point conversion from the Dragons decreased the Hornets’ lead to 34-28.
In one last attempt to complete a potential comeback, the Dragons attempted an onside kick. Harmony Grove senior Mason Morgan would recover the pivotal onside kick to help seal the much-improved Dragons away.
The Dragons outgained the Hornets in total yards accounting for 315-to-301 as the Hornets had consistently better field position. Both defenses understood how dangerous the opposing offenses would be in this game. The Dragons’ defense took advantage of a Hornets’ offense that had some injuries in the running back and offensive line. Johnson struggled due to his injury which made Junction City pressured him with countless blitzes.
The difference maker in the game were the turnovers. Junction City had five turnovers with three of them being turnover on downs. Harmony Grove had two turnover on downs, but limited their turnovers.
The offense for Dragons had a stellar gameplan to run all of their run plays to the outside. They installed a lot of quick passes and screens to the outside to avoid any pressure the defensive line of the Hornets. The Hornets’ defense found more success as they stretched their defensive ends and outside linebackers to contain more of the field.
Harmony Grove’s short passing schemes were limited as the defense of the Dragons utilized a significant of blitzes. They were able to find more success in the run game with Garrett and Billingly whenever they weren’t tired from playing on defense or not being the only rushers due to the injuries of other rushers
Landon Garrett was a triple-force weapon for the Hornets’ rushing, receiving and return game. He rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on nine carries while catching the 25-yard touchdown reception at the beginning of the game. His 75-yard punt return was also critical. Finally, he accounted for three total tackles and a pass breakup as the starting cornerback.
Hornets senior defensive end Christian Barnes accounted for six total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Running back Damariyon Billingly rushed for 71 yards on 10 carries.
Junction City junior wide Dominique Grimes caught five receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown as well as the 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Dragons senior quarterback Montra Hankton completed 8-of-19 of his passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 47 yards on nine carries. Finally, his two-yard reception touchdown right before halftime was crucial for the Dragons’ attempted comeback.
"We got to execute," Devin Ball said after the game. "We probably had about 15 penalties, false starts and turnovers and in a place where you can't have those things. You got to play fundamental football in a place like Harmony Grove; excellent football team, hats off to their coaches. Excellent job executing on their end. We got to be mentally tougher. We got to do a better job executing."
Ball wasn't able to get the win for his alma mater in his coaching debut, but he coached his way to giving the Hornets a serious scare on their home field. This a Dragons team that had lost to the Hornets 39-0 in each of the last two seasons. If there is any evaluation of one game under Ball, the Dragons are going to a tough team to face not in the future, but for the remainder of the season.
"It's awesome, Ball said when giving the chance to coach his alma mater. "I just want to keep pushing these guys, to be a better man and I think we're doing that. We'll fix up these things, share it up and get ready for Carlisle next week."
"They got a new ball coach with coach Ball, he's from Camden Fairview," Hornets quarterback Caleb Johnson said after the game. "That's a great program., they've been good. I know they've been down the last few years, but they're really up this year, they play physical and they want to win."
The Junction City Dragons (0-1) will host their first home game of the season next Friday as they host the Carlisle Bison (1-0). The Harmony Grove Hornets (1-0) will go on the road to take on the Harding Academy Wildcats (1-0) next Friday.