Mineral Springs withstands Kennedy and Caldwell rally
Mineral Springs 30, Junction City 22
MINERAL SPRINGS — Mineral Springs built a 24-point third-quarter lead, then held off a Junction City comeback led by Jermaine Kennedy and Nemo Caldwell to win 30-22 Friday night.
The Hornets led 24-6 at halftime and extended the margin to 30-6 with 1:51 left in the third quarter. Caldwell caught two touchdown passes from Kennedy, and Kennedy ran for both two-point conversions, bringing Junction City within eight points with 2:10 remaining.
Mineral Springs kept possession the rest of the way. After Junction City used its final timeout, the Hornets advanced to a fourth-and-one near midfield. A five-yard penalty against the Dragons gave Mineral Springs a fresh set of downs with 23 seconds left, allowing the Hornets to finish in victory formation.
The game was scoreless through the first quarter. Junction City moved into Mineral Springs territory on its first possession, aided by Kennedy’s fourth-down scramble and a productive run from Zamundrae Gray, but an incomplete fourth-down pass ended the threat.
Mineral Springs broke through with 8:15 remaining in the second quarter and added a two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead. An interception on Junction City’s next possession gave the Hornets another opportunity. Quarterback Jamerian Staten escaped around the outside for a touchdown with 6:03 left, and Cortney Thomas added the two-point run to make it 16-0.
Kennedy answered immediately. Gray supplied a key downfield block, and Kennedy broke loose for a long touchdown run. His two-point pass fell incomplete, leaving Mineral Springs ahead 16-6.
The Hornets then converted a fake punt to extend their final possession of the half. With 12 seconds remaining, Staten took the snap at Junction City’s 21, escaped pressure and reached the end zone as time expired. He added the two-point run for a 24-6 halftime lead.
Mineral Springs controlled much of the third quarter with a sustained possession. Staten finished the drive with another touchdown run at the 1:51 mark. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the advantage at 30-6.
Junction City needed only a short response. Kennedy found Caldwell, who slipped one tackle and powered through more contact on a touchdown reception the announcer credited as 55 yards. Kennedy’s conversion cut the deficit to 30-14 with 1:14 left in the third.
The Dragons recovered the ensuing onside kick but could not turn that possession into points. Kennedy later intercepted a pass, and a fourth-quarter fumble recovery gave Junction City another chance after a Mineral Springs touchdown was erased by a penalty.
Caldwell delivered again, taking a short pass from Kennedy and running through defenders for his second touchdown reception. Kennedy fought through traffic for the conversion, setting up the final defensive stand. Delonte Duff and Jaden Mosley made stops on the Hornets’ last possession, but Mineral Springs secured the first down it needed to close the game.
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
Mineral Springs — Jamerian Staten touchdown run (Cortney Thomas two-point run), Mineral Springs 16, Junction City 0. 6:03.
Junction City — Jermaine Kennedy touchdown run (two-point pass incomplete), Mineral Springs 16, Junction City 6.
Mineral Springs — Staten 21-yard touchdown run (Staten two-point run), Mineral Springs 24, Junction City 6. 0:00.
Third Quarter
Mineral Springs — Staten touchdown run (two-point attempt unsuccessful), Mineral Springs 30, Junction City 6. 1:51.
Junction City — Nemo Caldwell 55-yard touchdown pass from Kennedy (Kennedy two-point run), Mineral Springs 30, Junction City 14. 1:14.
Fourth Quarter
Junction City — Caldwell touchdown pass from Kennedy (Kennedy two-point run), Mineral Springs 30, Junction City 22. 2:10 remaining when play resumed for the kickoff.
Players Who Stood Out
Jamerian Staten, Mineral Springs — Three touchdown runs, including the 21-yard scramble on the final play of the first half; added a two-point run before halftime.
Cortney Thomas, Mineral Springs — Scored a two-point conversion in the second quarter and handled the Hornets’ onside kickoffs.
Jermaine Kennedy, Junction City — One rushing touchdown, two touchdown passes to Nemo Caldwell, two successful two-point runs and a fourth-quarter interception.
Nemo Caldwell, Junction City — Two touchdown receptions
Zamundrae Gray, Junction City — Delivered the key block on Kennedy’s touchdown run and provided productive rushing and receiving plays.
Delonte Duff, Junction City — Supplied repeated pressure and helped stop Mineral Springs on its final possession.