JOHNSTOWN - Sometimes it only takes a matter of minutes for a team to set a tone.
That was the case Friday night at Trojan Stadium, as Johnstown ran all over Bedford, 20-7, in a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Section 2 matchup.
"I thought our kids came out flat in the first half," Bedford coach Kevin Steele said. "We didn't seem like we were ready to go. Our kids were not physical. [Johnstown] certainly dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
"We've got to do a lot better in all three phases. We just didn't have a good night."
It didn't take long for Johnstown to get on the scoreboard.
The Trojans drove 79 yards in seven plays which only took 3:20 off the clock to open the game.
The series was capped off by Deion Moore's 7-yard touchdown run.
Moore had 61 yards on five carries out of the wildcat, but left the game in the first quarter after he fell to the ground clutching his leg on a 16-yard run.
"I think it was a hamstring, which is better news," Johnstown coach Tony Penna Jr. said. "He was doing well, and he has been doing well. That's an important part of our offense."
"He's certainly a very good runner, he's a good athlete," Steele said of Moore. "They still have plenty of other good athletes that can make plays."
Fortunately for the Trojans (3-3, 2-2 Section 2), the defense stepped up and filled the void.
Bedford (1-5, 1-3) was only able to gain 19 total yards before its scoring drive in the third quarter.
"Our coaches worked hard - we haven't been satisfied with our defensive performance," Penna said. "We were satisfied with the effort, but not the performance. We've really be working hard, and I think some of the result showed tonight."
On their scoring drive, the Bisons needed only three plays to match their total offensive output to that point.
The 92-yard drive that took 5:52 and 13 plays was highlighted by a Henry 12-yard run, Jacob Wirick's 33-yard scamper and Henry's 13-yard touchdown pass to Luke Campbell.
"I think we were able to execute a little bit," Steele said. "We were able to capitalize on some of the blitzing they were doing. Our kids up front started blocking a little better."
But it just wasn't enough for the Bisons.
Johnstown racked up 375 total yards, 249 of which were on the ground.
Bedford finished with 124 yards, including losing 25 on a high snap late in the game.
"We weren't able to sustain many drives and that was the story of the night," Steele said. "They controlled the line of scrimmage, we didn't execute very well and we just didn't have a good night on offense or defense. Essentially they ran the ball down our throats there to finish the game."
"I'm so proud of my kids for being able to handle all of the adversity," Penna said. "We've lost a couple of guys - we play two quarterbacks and lost one of them and lost half of our game plan."
Bedford's Kody Blevins and Aaron Henry each had an interception, and the Bisons recovered a muffed punt return, but Henry was picked off once and the offense was 1-for-4 on fourth down.
Johnstown, meanwhile, converted seven third downs - two on Bedford penalties - and Wuanyai Mayo found Kareem Gibson for a 15-yard touchdown on the Trojans' lone fourth down attempt, a fourth-and-8 situation.
Johnstown finished with 21 first downs.
"Defensively, we had them in third down situations, we could just never capitalize and get off the field," Steele said. "They kept moving the chains."
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Bedford0 0 7 0 - 7
Johnstown6 8 0 6 - 20
First quarter
J-Moore 7 run (run failed), 8:40.
Second quarter
J-Gibson 15 pass from Mayo (Madison pass from Mayo), 8:52.
Third quarter
B-Campbell 13 pass from Henry (Montgomery kick), 0:24
Fourth quarter
J-Miller 2 run (kick failed), 1:37.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Bedford-Wirick 10-67, Bingham 9-24, Henry 16-22, Campbell 1-(-5), TEAM 1-(-25). Johnstown-Braxton 17-76, Jones 9-70, Moore 5-61, Mayo 5-47, Miller 2-6, Gibson 2-(-1), TEAM 3-(-10).
PASSING: Bedford-5-12-1-41. Johnstown-Mayo 7-20-2-113, Moore 1-1-0-13.
RECEIVING: Bedford-Hickey 2-21, Campbell 2-17, Wirick 1-3. Johnstown-Madison 3-59, Gibson 3-42, Andrews 1-14, Lanzendorfer 1-11.
INTERCEPTIONS: Bedford-Blevins, Henry. Johnstown-Gibson.
TEAM STATISTICSBJ
First downs1021
Rushes-yards37-8343-249
Passing (comp.-att.-int.)5-12-18-21-2
Yards passing41126
Total yards124375
Fumbles-lost1-02-1
Penalties-yards5-4512-102
Punts-avg.5-35.43-23.7
