FOOTBALL: Johnston City blows by Elverado-Trico
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Johnston City raced to a 28-6 halftime lead, and cruised to a 42-6 victory over Elverado-Trico in Black Diamond Conference football action Friday night.
"This is the first time as a head coach I've been 3-0," said Johnston City coach Brian Beery. "The seniors are leading our team and they have a great work ethic."
The Indians are 3-0 while Elverado falls to 0-3.
Taylor Kirkman struck on the first play of the game for the second time in three games. The junior fullback took the handoff and bolted 59 yards off right tackle to put the Indians on the board just 10 seconds into the game.
"That was a great momentum booster for us," said Beery.
Kirkman, who finished with 103 yards on nine carries, said running was easy.
"My offensive line really opened up some nice holes for me," Kirkman said. "We are excited to be 3-0."
The Indians scored again with three minutes left in the opening period on Kirkman's second touchdown, a five-yard run to make it 14-0.
Less than two minutes later, Kirkman scored again, this time from six yards out for a 21-0 Johnston City lead. Danny Woodhall's 33-yard run extended the lead to 28-0 with 8:50 left after an interception by Angelo Hightower.
Elverado then embarked on a 16-play, 61-yard drive for its first touchdown of the season. Alex McGill threw a 23-yard pass for the touchdown to make it 28-6 with 44 seconds left in the half.
"Something we've been talking about is keeping the opponents offense off the field and sustaining some long drives of our own," said Elverado-Trico coach Duffy Sanders. "This will be something we can build on."
The Indians got the only two scores in the second half. Jon Stroud ran in from 31 yards out with 3:35 remaining in the third period. Izzy Garrison scored on a 33-yard run on the last play of the third quarter.
The Indians had 235 rushing yards for the night. Jory Kee was 4-for-5 passing for 34 yards and Levi Tanner completed his only pass for 24 yards. Defensively, Kirkman had nine tackles and Brandon Crider added eight tackles.
Elverado had 42 yards rushing. McGill was 5-for-16 passing for 64 yards and threw three interceptions.
Johnston City returns to action next Friday night at Eldorado, Elverado-Trico hosts Chester on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.