Junction City back racks up yards,TDs, titles

JaQwis Dancy learned at a young age what it takes to be a Junction City football player.

"Hard work and dedication," Dancy said Wednesday after the Dragons wrapped up practice at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. "If you can't take it, you can't stay."

The running back learned that lesson from his cousin Byran Jones, a former Junction City defensive lineman who went on to play for the University of Arkansas.

Jones led the Dragons to state championships in 2008 and 2009, but Dancy has a chance to top that when Junction City plays Hazen on Saturday in the Class 2A state championship game. The Dragons will carry a 39-game winning streak into the game as they try to earn their third consecutive state championship.

and has taken the Dragons to the verge of a third consecutive state championship and a 40th victory in a row. The senior running back and the Dragons play Hazen in Saturday's Class 2A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium.

Dancy, who has orally committed to Louisiana Tech, has rushed for 5,231 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career -- both school records -- while averaging 12.9 yards per carry. He is 10th on the state's all-time rushing list, according to the Arkansas Activities Association, and has rushed for at least 100 yards in 30 games.

The senior had 184 yards and 4 touchdowns on 14 carries in last Friday's 50-16 victory over Earle in the semifinals, and set the school's career record for touchdowns as he surpassed Marcus Godfrey's mark of 56 (1997-1999).

"Junction City has a history of outstanding running backs," said Wayne Pumphrey, Junction City's sports historian. "I would put JaQwis in the top three all time."

Dancy has made the most of his opportunities this season even though his carries have been limited somewhat because Junction City (12-0) has blown out most opponents, outscoring teams 643-65 and averaging 53.5 points a game.

Dancy is averaging 18.5 yards on 103 attempts and has rushed for 1,937 yards and 28 touchdowns. That includes a career-high 325 yards and 3 touchdowns on 13 carries Nov. 28 in a 48-0 victory over Des Arc in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

Dancy has carried the ball five times or less in five of Junction City's 12 games, but the lack of carries hasn't been a big deal to him.

"I follow my blockers up front, and I just run behind them and make the best of every play," Dancy said.

Junction City Coach David Carpenter said he appreciates Dancy's unselfishness.

"He's done a great job," Carpenter said. "A lot of games he hasn't had but three or four totes. He hasn't complained about any of it. He understands what we're trying to do."

Junction City has won two consecutive state championships, and Dancy was named MVP honors in both games. He finished with 232 all-purpose yards in the Dragons' 27-26 victory over Bearden in the 2012 title game and had 163 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries in last season's 60-0 victory over Des Arc.

Those performances have served as an example this week for younger Junction City players as they prepare for Hazen.

"Don't let the big lights get to you," Dancy told his teammates. "It's another game."

The Dragons will face a 6-2A Conference team for the second consecutive season in the championship game. While Des Arc was 11-2 entering last year's game, Hazen is 14-0 and is giving up an average of only 6.8 points per game.

Dancy expects a challenge.

"It's going to be a pretty good matchup," he said. "We just have to come out fired up and pumped up."

Even with all of his eye-popping numbers and big-game performances, Carpenter said it's Dancy's leadership that has stood out the most.

"He's leading by example," said Carpenter, who has won five state championships since arriving at Junction City in 1996. "He gets over and cheers for them. It's not just the playing part of him being a good leader. It's all the other little things that he does for the guys.

"That's really special."

Sports on 12/11/2014