In what most thought would be an easier game for Chestatee compared to their last two contests — a double-overtime thriller and a road victory over then-No. 5 Stephens County — Johnson gave the War Eagles all they could handle at Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium.

Still, Chestatee left Oakwood with a 36-26 victory over the Knights and the team’s best start since 2007.

It was not until midway through the fourth quarter before Chestatee (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA) took its final lead of the game on a 20-yard run by AJ Sijiye, finishing off a nine-play drive in which the War Eagles had to covert on fourth-and-2.

After the Sijiye score, the Knights were forced into a three-and-out, compliments of huge tackles by Kyle Perry and Khalil Cantrell on third and fourth down, respectively.

The War Eagles took over possession at the Johnson 35-yard line, and two plays later quarterback Jordan Degraff faked the handoff inside to Quan Clark and scampered to the outside for a 28-yard touchdown run.

“It was a run option and my coaches told me to do what an option quarterback does best,” Degraff said. “I pulled it back into myself and there was nothing but green grass in front of me.”

The Knights (3-3) focused their attention on Clark for good reason. The area’s second-leading rusher finished the night as the game’s top rusher with 149 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Sijiye added 127 yards and two scores on 12 carries. Again the tandem converted in big situations when the pressure was at its highest.

“I ran hard tonight, but the offensive line had a good game in front of me,” Clark said. “I would have had nothing without them.”

Johnson coach Jason Roquemore found reasons to be encouraged, even in the loss.

“I was proud of our boys on defense and the way they handled their running game.” Roquemore said. “We were able handle most everything they threw at us.”

The Knights took a 20-14 lead into halftime thanks to big plays on both sides of the ball by senior Cedric Harris. Harris returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown, recovered a fumble and took the ball 56 yards to the Johnson 4-yard line, sacked the Chesatee quarterback, gained 65 yards on the ground and scored a rushing touchdown — all before halftime.

“We came out and knew that we had to focus more and not hold ourselves back because of penalties,” Clark said.
“We knew that we don’t play football like that.” Degraff added. “The team that came out with the most heart in the second half would win the game.”

It only took two plays for the War Eagles to show the heart Degraff talked about, as Clark reeled off his longest run of the night, a 60-yard score.

“Our team has a maturity that allows us to come back from tough situations.” Chestatee coach Stan Luttrell said. “Lesser teams step back, but we are able to face that adversity.”

Roquemore was more than pleased with the effort of his players.

“I think we answered a lot of questions about our team tonight.” Roquemore said. “People wanted to feel sorry for us because we are playing a non-region schedule, but we competed with one of, if not the best, teams in our would-be region.

“I know that our kids can be proud of the name on the front of their jersey with the way they played tonight.”

Lutrell echoed Roquemore’s comments regarding the Knights’ fight.

“In his short time here, he has really changed the attitude quickly,” Luttrell said.

Chestatee hosts Walnut Grove next Friday, while Johnson will travel to play Clarkston on Saturday.