(Jefferson) Atlantic’s football team, now known as the “road warriors,” took to the road for the third straight week and came away with a 31-18 win over Greene County in a Class 2A District 9 football game at Jefferson. After losing to Underwood on the road in week one, the Trojans came away with back to back road wins over Kuemper in week two, and Greene County last night.
The ground game, special teams, two big pass receptions, and three takeaways all contributed to the team’s success on Friday night. The Trojans rolled up 296 yards total offense, with 202 yards on the ground.
“That’s the way we’re built,” said Atlantic Head Coach Mike McDermott referring his team’s rushing attack. “It served in our favor tonight to run the football and ground and pound. Our guys have embraced it. A lot of guys contributed tonight, and that’s the big thing about this team. We’re truly a team; we don’t have any superstars. We have eleven guys going.”
Bodie Johnson scored three touchdowns for the visitors. The senior scored on runs of nine, two, and a pick-six. Johnson carried the ball 16 times for 107 yards, and Korey Parrott rushed for 79 yards on 20 carries. Senior receiver Colin Mullenix caught three key passes of 93 yards. The Trojans quarterback duo of Garrett McLaren and Caden Andersen were a combined 4/7 passing for 96 yards.
The Trojans defense held the Rams to 177 total yards and limited the home team to 80-yards rushing.
“I thought the defense was outstanding,” said McDermott. “They hung there, and they were on their heels at times, but “holy cow,” what a big win for the Trojans.”
Atlantic marched 97 yards on their first possession, all on the ground. Johnson capped off the time-consuming drive with an 8-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead following Lane Nelson’s extra point. The Rams answered as time ran out in the 1st quarter on Jackson Morton’s eight-yard run; however, the Trojans blocked the PAT to keep the lead.
Atlantic recovered a Greene County fumble early in the 2nd quarter and capped it off with a 31-yard Nelson field goal. Morton struck again on an 11-yard run for the Rams with 4:12 left in the first half, and the home team went into the break leading 12-10.
Korey Parrott put Atlantic back on top with a one-yard run. The 2-pt conversion failed, and the Trojans led 16-12. On the Rams ensuing drive, Bryce Stalder hooked up with Richard Daugherty on a 26-yard TD pass to put Greene County back on top, 18-16. But the Trojans responded with Johnson’s two-yard plunge and the senior linebacker’s pick-six with 2:14 left to play to seal the 31-18 victory.
The Trojans ran 49 plays to the Rams 44. Atlantic penalized 40-yards, Greene County 35, and the Trojans earned 14 first downs, to the Rams 13.
Atlantic squares off against Clarinda next Friday night. Greene County is scheduled to host Des Moines, Christian.
