Junction City so good it can’t fill its schedule

The most common opponent on Junction City's nonconference schedule in recent years has been "open."

The Dragons cannot seem to find many regular-season nonconference opponents, and Coach David Carpenter says the Class 2A school's location is the biggest reason for the lack of competition.

"It's a long haul for any nonconference game for us," said Carpenter, whose team has two open dates on the 2014 schedule. "There's not a lot of smaller (nonconference) schools in our area available for us to play, and the schools on the Louisiana side are on a different rotation. Unless you hit it just right, you're only going to get a one-year deal with any of them."

Junction City's success also may have something to do with the Dragons' shortage of games. Junction City has won back-to-back state titles and is riding a 27-game winning streak. The Dragons, with seven starters back on both sides of the ball, will open the 2014 season as the No. 1 team in Class 2A.

There aren't too many small school programs willing to challenge the Dragons, who outscored opponents 565-129 on their way to a 13-0 finish in 2013.

Carpenter credits a conference full of tough teams for the Dragons' postseason success.

"The competition we get from our conference helps out a lot," said Carpenter, who is in his 23rd year at Junction City. "There are a lot of playoff-caliber teams in our league who make a good run every year. Week in and week out, you're going to see a good team, and that's what makes it fun for the kids."

Junction City is loaded with offensive weapons, the most notable is two-time state title MVP Jaqwis Dancy , 5-11, 185. The running back rushed for 1,674 yards a year ago and has committed to Louisiana Tech.

"The thing I like most about Dancy is that he loves to work in the weight room," Carpenter said. "He benches 300 and power cleans 295. ... He's a good sprinter and he has good vision. He can make moves and not lose his speed. That's what makes him such a good runner."

Quarterback Randall Holyfield, 5-10, 160, threw for a school-record 1,587 yards last season.

"His release is so much quicker than it was a year ago and his accuracy is also better," Carpenter said. "We're not so much concerned if he breaks his own record or not, but if we take care of business, all of that is going to fall in line. ... It's all about how the team is doing and Holyfield is sharp enough to know that."

Keandre Evans, 5-9, 160, is switching from running back to flanker this season. Carpenter said the move should give the senior more opportunities to be productive in the Dragons' spread offense.

"He's having to learn a new spot," Carpenter said of Evans. "We've stuck him out in no-man's land, but we think that's the best place for him to do us some good this year."

Nine of Junction City's 13 opponents last season were held to a touchdown or less, and the Dragons' four playoff opponents managed to score an average of 10.1 points a game.

"I'm hoping we're a little better defensively because we have a lot of guys back," Carpenter said.

Senior Taylor Mason, 6-3, 280, is coming off an impressive season as the Dragon's nose guard. Mason was in on 105 tackles, including 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

"Mason has started every year since he was a freshman," Carpenter said. "We're looking for him to be a good leader."

Junction City will play an benefit game at Lake Village next week before opening the regular season with a home game against Smackover, the only nonconference team on the Dragons' schedule. Junction City will have open dates during Week No. 3 (Sept. 19) and Week No. 10 (Nov. 7).

Last season, the Dragons not only failed to have an opponent for the final regular-season date, but they also drew a bye for the first round of the Class 2A playoffs.

"It's hard to find an opponent for Week 10 because all of the other conferences will play until that date," Carpenter said. "We went almost three weeks without playing and that was real tough, especially on the kids. The kids want to play. It's what they are out here for."

Sports on 08/19/2014