The Johnson High football team committed 16 penalties Friday night on the way to being shutout by Monroe Area 41-0 at Hurricanes Stadium in Monroe.

Despite the loss, Johnson still earned the No. 3 seed from Region 8B-AA after Oconee County defeated Walnut Grove 21-14.

"We didn't give our best showing, that's for sure," Johnson coach Paul Friel said.

Monroe Area jumped out to a 14-point lead after the first quarter and never looked back, scoring 13 in the second and 14 in the third to secure the win.

The Knights were led by Cedric Harris with 84 rushing yards after running back Joey Brooks left the game with an injury.

Johnson only managed 114 total yards of offense on the night, all rushing, compared to 382 from Monroe Area (312 rushing, 70 passing.)

The Knights (2-3, 2-7) will face the No. 2 seed from Region 8A-AAA, Stephens County (7-2, 4-1), at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Reservation in Toccoa. The winner will earn a spot in the Class AAA playoffs.