JoCo bringing stout defense to Davenport

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2024

One week after getting shut out for the third time this season, the GMC Prep football team is set to line up against the best defense it has seen all year Friday.

The Bulldogs (0-3 region, 0-8 overall) will play host to the Johnson County Trojans (3-0, 6-2), who are giving up only 10.6 points per game. GMC head coach Gavin Tierce doted particularly on JoCo’s defensive line.

“Their front is the best we’ve seen all year,” he said Tuesday. “Maybe not quite as athletic as Wilkinson County’s, but as a well-coached, disciplined unit, their defense is about as good as you’re going to see at this level.”

The Trojans’ only losses this season occurred in weeks 1 and 3 versus East Laurens and Warren County, respectively. Even in those games, opponents weren’t lighting up the scoreboard as East Laurens won just 13-8 while Warren came out on top 28-20. The 28 points scored by former GMC Prep head coach Steven Simpson’s 5-3 Warren Co. team represents the most JoCo has given up this season. The Trojans through their ongoing string of five straight wins have surrendered no more than 12 points in one night.

“They’re a well-oiled machine on defense,” Tierce added. “They’re physical and hit people with bad intent.”

Tough assignment for a Bulldog squad that’s putting up 6.1 points per game. As offensive playcaller, Tierce knows he has to be on his toes this week in trying to put his team in position to be successful. It’s also up to the players to carry out the vision. A good blueprint is nothing without workers to build what’s actually on the paper.

Both offenses taking Davenport Field Friday have been relying heavily on the wing T scheme. That makes defensive prep easier for the two teams. And while GMC hasn’t been putting up points in bunches, neither has Johnson County. Their season high came in last week’s 34-8 region win over Glascock. The Trojans under head coach Don Norton throw the football only about five times per game on average. They’ve got only 41 pass attempts against 308 rushes this season. Junior running back Tayshawn Norris is the leader with 726 yards and seven touchdowns on 101 carries.

Friday’s GMC-Johnson County game was originally scheduled to be played in Wrightsville, but Hurricane Helene tore through the town and left the team unable to host in recent weeks. It’s the second time the Bulldogs have benefited from a venue change after the Twiggs game was moved to Milledgeville earlier this month.

The Bulldogs hope to turn this second gift into the first win of the season. Kickoff between GMC Prep and Johnson County is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday.