Experienced running attack fuels Junction City’s offense
Thanks to a voracious running attack, Junction City reached the state semifinals in 2020.
With many of those components returning, the Dragons have their sights set on getting to the state finals for the fourth time in five years.
Junction City enters the season with a new quarterback with Gabe Richard's graduation.
Senior Jamal Johnson, the News-Times Player of the Year last year, got some playing time at quarterback last year, and junior Decoreon Dubose showed plenty of explosiveness as a wide receiver last year.
“Both are interchangeable,” Junction City coach Brad Smith said of the duo competing at quarterback. “Both spin it well, both run it well. Both understand our offense and how to run it.”
If Johnson isn't under center, he'll be in the backfield with fellow senior AJ Ivory.
Junior Austin Mendoza and sophomore Jordavion Williams are also in the mix to see playing time.
“All have their own set of skills,” Smith said. “AJ is power and speed, Austin is power and slash, Jamal is slash and speed and Jordavion is pure speed.”
Dubose will be at wide receiver if he isn't at quarterback, and the Dragons have several candidates that can play on the outside.
Seniors Ryan Allen, Jakob Smith, CJ Miller and Alex Prado, juniors Jakorian Key and Kayshawn Washington and sophomore Brandon New give the Dragons plenty of depth to help offset the graduation of standout wide receiver Devontay Gilbert.
At tight end, junior Kristopher Norman and sophomore Hayden Hudson are competing for the starting job.
“It's a very good receiving core with a mix of speed and route running,” Smith said. “The new guys are catching on quickly.”
The offensive line has a mixture of veterans and newcomers.
Norman is working at left tackle along with sophomores Javion Davis and Jalen Ivey.
Senior Slade Wilson is working at left guard, as is junior Bryan Estrada.
At center, seniors Rylan Sawyer and Ayden Howe are battling for the starting spot.
On the right side, seniors Nate Patterson and Chance Rowland are working at guard, while senior Kevin Newberry and Hudson are competing at the tackle spot.
“We gave good size mixed with quickness,” Smith said. “We've very versatile, which gives us many O-line groupings set for different schemes.”
If the Dragons are to continue to have the success they have enjoyed on the offensive side of the ball, Smith said there were several things his team must accomplish.
“No pre-snap penalties, no emotion penalties, cut down on turnovers and execute what we run,” Smith said.