Johnston City holds off Carmi for season opening win
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Johnston City scored the first play from scrimmage, built a 22-12 halftime lead and held on for a 28-20 win over Carmi-White County in the season opening football game.
"Something we emphasized in practice was to not lose the close games," said Johnston City coach Brian Beery. "Last year we lost some of these games early."
After Carmi deferred possession until the second half and kicked off to start the game, Johnston City started its first series on the 16 yard line. That's where Taylor Kirkman ignited the offense.
Kirkman took the handoff and bolted up the middle for 84 yards and a touchdown to give Johnston City a 7-0 lead after Tyler Johnson's point after kick.
The Bulldogs responded quickly, scoring just a minute later when Logan Rogers scampered 45 yards with 9:04 remaining in the period. Johnston City's Jesse Jeffords blocked the PAT kick and the Indians held a 7-6 lead.
Carmi took the lead later in the first quarter. Rogers scored again, this time from 78-yards away with 4:30 left in the period to push the margin to 12-7. Again, the conversion failed as Rogers was stopped short on a PAT run.
Johnston City got back in front with 6:30 left in the first half. Josh Woodhall scored on a 13-yard run around right end, and Izzy Garrison ran in the conversion for a 15-12 lead the Indians would never give up.
The Indians scored again before halftime. Kirkman got his second score on a 7-yard run with 34.4 seconds left in the half. Johnson's PAT kick made the halftime scored 22-12.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Carmi pulled to within 22-20 on Rogers third touchdown, a 2-yard run with 6:30 left in the game. Ryan Farr connected with Lawson Warren for the conversion pass.
However, Johnston City iced the game after picking the ball off on a tipped pass by Jeffords. Kirkman scored his third touchdown, a 44-yard run up the middle with 51.4 seconds left for the final margin of victory.
"We had move than 125 yards in penalties against Carmi last year," Beery said. "We did much better this time, with only about 40 yards."
Kirkman finished the night with 207 yards on 14 carries for the Indians. Johnson added 44 yards on just three carries, as the Indians ran for 321 yards as a team.
"My line was the key all night," said Kirkman. "They opened up some great holes for me all night long. This win will hopefully give us some momentum the next couple of weeks."
Rogers had 25 carries for 231 yards for Carmi, becoming the Bulldogs all-time leading rusher. Dylan Rankin added 31 yards. Farr was 6-for-15 passing for 93 yards. He threw two interceptions.
Johnston City returns to the field next Friday at Christopher. Carmi-White County opens its home season against Chester.