Kennedy’s Five Touchdowns Power Junction City’s Opening-Night Shutout
Junction City 45, Harmony Grove 0
JUNCTION CITY — Senior quarterback Jermaine Kennedy accounted for five touchdowns as Junction City defeated Harmony Grove Ouachita County 45-0 in Friday night’s season opener.
Kennedy set the tone on Junction City’s first offensive play, following strong blocking for a 68-yard touchdown run. He added two more short scoring runs before connecting with senior tight end Nemo Caldwell for a 17-yard touchdown, giving the Dragons a 24-0 advantage.
Senior running back Jordan Jackson closed the opening quarter with a touchdown run as Junction City built a 30-0 lead. Jackson finished with 35 rushing yards and also contributed defensively.
Harmony Grove’s defense created a first-quarter interception and stopped Junction City on each of its first five two-point attempts. The Hornets also settled in during the second half, keeping the Dragons out of the end zone after halftime.
Junction City added two touchdowns in the second quarter. Senior Zamundrae Gray broke loose for a 38-yard score before Kennedy found junior receiver Kam Murphy for the two-point conversion. Kennedy later capped the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown run, and sophomore Joseph Armstrong kicked the extra point.
Kennedy finished with 140 yards and four touchdowns on five carries while completing two of five passes for 34 yards and another score. Caldwell led the first-half defense with three tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Gray added an interception, while sophomore cornerback Stihl Sherman intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter.
Junction City’s defense preserved the shutout while the Dragons rotated their younger players throughout the second half.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Junction City – Jermaine Kennedy 68-yard run (two-point conversion failed), 6-0
Junction City – Kennedy 4-yard run (two-point conversion failed), 12-0
Junction City – Kennedy 3-yard run (two-point conversion failed), 18-0
Junction City – Kennedy 17-yard pass to Nemo Caldwell (two-point conversion failed), 24-0
Junction City – Jordan Jackson touchdown run (two-point conversion failed), 30-0
2nd Quarter
Junction City – Zamundrae Gray 38-yard run (Kennedy pass to Kam Murphy), 38-0
Junction City – Kennedy 43-yard run (Joseph Armstrong kick), 45-0
3rd Quarter
No scoring.
4th Quarter
No scoring.
Players of the Game
- Jermaine Kennedy, QB/SS, Junction City: 140 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass.
- Nemo Caldwell, TE/DE, Junction City: 17-yard touchdown reception, three tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.
- Zamundrae Gray, WR/CB, Junction City: 38-yard touchdown run and one interception.
- Jordan Jackson, RB/LB, Junction City: 35 rushing yards, one touchdown and multiple defensive stops.
- Stihl Sherman, RB/CB, Junction City: Fourth-quarter interception that helped preserve the shutout.