generic Johnstown's developing offensive line flexed muscles against Northridge
JOHNSTOWN — Growing pains have been aplenty against a challenging schedule for the Johnstown football team, and the reward came in the form of celebrating with friends and family following last Friday’s 41-10 victory at rival Northridge.
The Johnnies got into the win column the way that has been so common under coach Mike Carter. The Johnnies ran right at the Vikings as senior tailback Nathan Sheets piled up 211 yards and five touchdowns.
"There is nothing like it," Sheets said. "We ran literally the same play and scored on it three times. It was a little counter play. It worked, and they couldn't stop it."
Many of Sheets’ runs came right behind senior center Cooper Criner, who has had to do the heavy lifting this season. Criner is flanked by junior Brody Thompson and sophomores Landon Smith, Grady Balog and Ben Rader.
Johnstown was held scoreless through the three quarters by Watkins Memorial’s physical defense in Week 5. The Johnnies delivered the blows in a bounce-back game.
"If we come out of the gate hot, we can pull away," Sheets said. "We have the athletes, and we have the line. When we put everything together, everyone has momentum."
Senior quarterback Caleb Schneider had quite a day of his own. He totaled 179 yards rushing and reached the end zone first before Sheets took up residence there.
Schneider’s 738 rushing yards and Sheets’ 595 now rank second and third in Licking County for the season.
"We had our game plan all week. We practiced it, and we came out and executed it," Criner said. "I am so proud of all of these guys. They have stepped up tremendously."
A double-team on the left side from Smith and Rader helped spring Schneider on his 16-yard TD run. A block from back-side freshman receiver Tyler Sheets allowed older brother Nathan Sheets to get down the right sideline on a 47-yard TD in the second quarter, and Thompson and Rader teamed up to move the linebacker out of the hole on Nathan Sheets’ 51-yard score in the third.
"I am really proud of these young men," Carter said. "They worked really hard in practice, and they kept believing. They realized through hard work great things are possible."
Johnstown (1-5, 1-0) continues Licking County League-Cardinal Division play Friday when Newark Catholic visits (3-1, 1-0), and the Johnnies will be ready if they hit a rough patch. It was not all perfect against Northridge as the Vikings scored on the fourth play from scrimmage and then immediately got a defensive stop.
The Johnnies' defense, however, stopped the Vikings inside the 35-yard line, and the offense then marched down the field for its first score. The Johnnies later led just 14-10 at halftime before scoring 14 quick points to open the third quarter and put the game away.
"All week we were talking about fighting through adversity," Criner said. "That first drive, we kind of had our heads down, and we just kept powering through."
Senior Garrett Grinstead led the defense with six tackles, including three for loss, chasing Northridge quarterback Lane Hess throughout the night. Sophomore Evan Smith, who also saw time at wingback on offense, added five tackles in a breakout performance.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Johnstown's offensive line flexed muscles against Northridge
