Many were expecting a Johnson Central blowout but what they received is North Laurel’s biggest win in program history.
The Golden Eagles entered The Jungle Friday as heavy favorites and as Class 4A’s state runner-up from last season.
But being an underdog didn’t seem to bother the Jaguars at all.
North Laurel’s defense stepped up to the plate the entire contest and went toe-to-toe with the Golden Eagles’ ground game that entered the matchup averaging 454 rushing yards per contest.
North Laurel’s biggest stop came late in the fourth quarter when Johnson Central went for it on fourth and one from its own 11-yard line, and the Jaguars defense rose to the occasion, stunning the Golden Eagles during the process.
North Laurel took over on offense with 3:13 left, as Tucker Warren scored on a one-yard touchdown run a few plays later, making the score, 14-13. He followed by adding the two-point conversion to give his Jaguars a 15-14 advantage with 1:41 remaining in the game.
And then, North Laurel’s defense rose to the occasion again, keeping Johnson Central’s ground game at bay.
Austin Johnson came through with key play after key play during the matchup as the Jaguars kept the Golden Eagles from scoring to secure the win.
North Laurel will look to run its record to 2-1 Friday at home when Barren County pays the Jaguars a visit.
North Laurel’s defense held its own on Johnson Central’s first possession. The Jaguars stopped the Eagles on fourth down, and took possession of the ball on their own 47-yard line.
North Laurel continues to gain momentum by driving downfield and scoring.
Ethan Gregory found a hole and raced 11-yards for the score to give his team a 7-0 lead at the 6:34 mark of the first quarter.
North Laurel’s defense continued to play solid, forcing Johnson Central to punt on its second and third possessions.
The Jaguars drove to the Eagles’ 18-yard line on their second possession but couldn’t get any further.
The Eagles followed with a huge defensive play as Jesse McCoy returned an interception 12-yards for a touchdown to tie the game at seven apiece at the 8:49 mark of the first half.
Just when it looked as if the game would be tied going into halftime, Johnson Central finally found a hole in the North Laurel defense.
Zack McCoart ran for a 68-yard touchdown to give the Eagles their first lead of the game at 14-7.
The game remained close throughout the second half before North Laurel made the key defensive stop setting up Warren’s offensive heroics in the end.
