HUNTSVILLE —
East Limestone Indians battled and clawed Friday night but in the end fell to Class 5A regional opponent Johnson 44-26.
East Limestone scored on third play of scrimmage on a 77-yard run by Chris Harris. The point after by Josh Applebee was good, making the score 7-0.
Johnson answered on the next possession on 66-yard-run by Chase Drake. The two-point conversion pass from Ronnie McRae to Mason Rice was good for an 8-7 Jaguar lead with 5:46 left in the first quarter.
East Limestone responded with a 32-yard field goal by Applebee for the Indians to take a 10-8 lead with 2:04 left in the first quarter.
Johnson regained the lead on a 1-yard run by Roderick Massey at the beginning of the second quarter. The two-point conversion run by Drake was good. Johnson led 16-10.
The Jaguars were able to capitalize on the kickoff when East Limestone fumbled. Johnson got the ball on East Limestone’s 24 yard line. Eight plays later, Drake scored on a 1-yard run. The two point conversion attempt was no good, making the score 22-10, with 5:20 left in the half.
The Indians regained momentum with 2:31 left in the quarter on a 9-yard run by Marquise Jefferson. Applebee’s extra point made it Johnson 22, Indians 17.
Johnson extended the lead just before the half on a 17-yard pass from McRae to Massey, making the score 28-17.
East Limestone pulled within a score with one second remaining before the half on an 18- yard field goal by Applebee. Johnson led 28-20 at the half.
In the second half, Johnson scored with 1:50 left in third quarter with a 13-yard pass from McRae to Drake. The two-point conversion by Massey was good, putting Johnson ahead 36-20.
East Limestone closed the gap with 7:06 left in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run by Jefferson. The two-point conversion was no good. Johnson led by 10: 36-26.
Johnson sealed the win with a five-yard run for a touchdown with 7:06 left in the game.
