[Kayaker]

Johnson Central has been waiting for this game for a year now. They have had a bitter taste in their mouth since the left Putnam Stadium with a Loss last year and will be ready for this game. JC will not come in looking to Blow Out Ashland but to inflict as much pain as possible. I have seen the JC Defense make some hard hits this season but this week I expect to see the best hitting and defensive output that they will have all year.

Now as far as the game goes. After watching Ashland last night somewhat struggle with LC last night I am very ompimistic about he outcome of this game. Thomas likes to dance around in the backfield instead of just hitting the hole and that should make for a lot of TFL for the JC Defense. His only success was running to the outside on LC but the D-ends of Dillon and Dials will keep those plays limited and will turn alot of those runs inside to Tackett and Johnson. Mahan will a good scrambler seems to under throw alot of his passes and also doesnt seem to be a good decision maker while pressured. Johnson Centrals lowest offensive scoring output was 35 so I see now way that the defense of Ashland can hold JC's offense to 14 points as one poster predicted. The depth and balance of the JC running game, which uses 6 or 7 running backs routinely, will be enough to give Ashland fits in terms of preparing for this game along with the renewed threat of a passing game with JK Ratliff back healthy.

This game will be full of emotions and will have a district title on the line so we should expect a great game by both teams but I just believe that with this game in "The Nest", the chip JC has on its shoulder, and the balance and depth of both sides of the ball, JC will pull this one out by 2 TD's or more. My prediction:

Johnson Central: 35
Ashland: 14

As a interesting side note to everyone, the same crew that refereed this game last year is the same crew that has it this year.