Bulldogs need Dragon slayer

Junction City has won 38 consecutive games entering the Class 2A semifinals.

The last team to beat the Dragons?

Earle, which travels to Junction City on Friday.

The Bulldogs beat the Dragons 14-7 on Aug. 31, 2012, in a nonconference game at Earle that was delayed by lightning. Autry Allen scored both Earle touchdowns and rushed for 157 yards.

Junction City (11-0) has since gone on to win two consecutive Class 2A state championships. Earle (10-3) is in its first season in Class 2A as part of the 2014-2016 reclassification cycle.

Earle assistant coach Carl Miller recalled the Bulldogs’ 2012 victory over the Dragons.

“We played well,” Miller said. “Junction City’s defense is always sound. Ours wasn’t bad that year. Somebody had to win.”

Earle will have to rely on a freshman this time if it hopes to end Junction City’s twoyear run atop Class 2A.

Quarterback Gerry Bohanon has helped lead the Bulldogs into the semifinals with his arm and his legs. Bohanon, 6-4, 220 pounds, has accounted for more than 2,400 yards of total offense, including more than 1,200 passing.

“He is the key,” Miller said of Bohanon, who threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns in Earle’s 34-0 quarterfinal victory over Brinkley last Friday. “He’s an unusual ninth-grader. He’s a 4.0 student. He works hard. He was looking forward to playing senior high. He never took a back seat.”

“We haven’t had a quarterback in a while that can run it and throw it.”

Miller said he doesn’t expect Bohanon to be rattled by Junction City, noting that he’s played at Class 4A Highland and Class 2A semifinalist Hazen this season.

“He’s mentally tough and physically tough for sure,” Miller said. “He’s ready. He’s got three playoff games under his belt.”

Senior Tevin Scott leads the Bulldogs with 14 interceptions. He also has a team-high 865 receiving yards.

“Last year he was coming along,” Miller said. “This year he’s coming into his own. He has a shutdown corner mentality, but he has a receiver’s mentality, too.”

Junction City is led by senior running back JaQwis Dancy. Dancy, who has orally committed to Louisiana Tech, has rushed for 5,047 rushing yards in his career, tied for 10th in state history with McGehee’s Lenorse Bailey (1998-1999). He rushed for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns on 13 carries in the Dragons’ 48-0 quarterfinal victory over Des Arc last Friday.

“He’s a shifty runner,” Miller said. “He’s got the speed. He’s the total package.”

Miller said Earle has been using junior running back Richard Merritt some as a scout team running back in an effort to emulate Dancy in practice. Merritt has rushed for more than 1,800 yards this season.

Junction City has reached the semifinals for the 11th time in the past 14 seasons and has won five state championships under Coach David Carpenter.