A sensational performance by C. J. Johnson enabled French Camp to defeat Vardaman 45-20. But despite a second straight Region 2-1A win, the Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention due to Tupelo Christian's 49-25 victory over Okolona.
Johnson, a junior quarterback, carried 18 times for 331 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed three passes for 75 yards and one TD.
“C.J. had a phenomenal game. I have never heard anything like it,” said coach Nathan Wright. “I added it up four times because I didn't think it was right, But that's the way it was.”
His TD runs were for 15, 72, 60 and 25 yards. The scoring pass was to Coleman McKenzie for 35 yards.
Johnson wasn't alone in having a big game on the ground. Phillip Caradine carried 14 times for 147 yards, with a 32-yard TD run for the game's first score. Throw in Bradley Edwards with five carries for 35 yards and one touchdown and the Panthers totaled 513 yards on the ground. The total with Johnson's passing was 588 yards.
“Basically, they (Vardaman) were submitting some run lanes, playing us soft, which opened up some big lanes to run in and we just took them,” Wright said.
French Camp led 6-0 after one quarter, then broke the game open with three second quarter touchdowns for a 26-7 halftime lead.
Edwards led the defense with 10 tackles.
French Camp is 3-7 overall and 3-4 in the nine-team region with one game remaining at home Friday against Smithville.
With the top four teams qualifying for the 1A playoffs, defending state champion Nanih Waiya has clinched the championship with a 7-0 region record. Noxapater is second at 6-1 and West Lowndes third at 5-2. Smithville and Tupelo Christian are both 4-3, a game ahead of the Panthers.
A French Camp victory over Smithville and a Tupelo Christian loss to West Lowndes would result in a three-way tie for fourth between French Camp, Smithville and Tupelo Christian. But Tupelo Christian would be the fourth place team on the basis of point differential in games between the three teams. Smithville will make the playoffs with a victory over the Panthers.
“We just want to finish strong,” said Wright, who relished the idea of being a spoiler. “The best we can do is keep Smithville out and let Tupelo Christian in.”
He said Smithville is a team that always plays hard. “They have kids who grew up together and they have a lot of pride.”
French Camp defeated Smithville 27-6 in the 1A state championship game six years ago. Smithville, 7-3 overall, is led by dual threat senior quarterback Octavion Miller.
