Midland Legacy (4-1) got a huge all-around performance from Damien Johnson on Friday night against the Judson Rockets (1-4), scoring four touchdowns to fuel the Rebels to a 39-31 win in a see-saw battle.
In the first quarter, Johnson started off the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run followed by a Jason Maltos extra point to go up 7-0 with about six minutes left. Judson responded with 3:30 on the clock on a fumble returned 34 yards for a touchdown by Brydon Montgomery, and the Douglas Tolliver kick made it a tie game. Judson took the lead on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Favela to Andres Rojas with 1:30 left. The Rebels came back on the next drive with Johnson leading the charge, going off for a 66-yard run and then a four yard run for a score to go up 15-14 with a Maltos two point conversion off a fake extra point.
Tolliver hit a 35-yard field goal to take a two point lead for the Rockets in the second quarter. Judson would hold this lead until the end of the half, when Tommy Johnson took the ball in from 13-yards out. A Maltos kick made it a 22-17 lead at halftime for the Rebels.
Judson got the scoring started in the third quarter with a 37-yard pass from De Morlan McGarity to Deshaun Perro, but on the next kickoff, Johnson took it to the house for 79-yards to make it a 29-25 game at the end of three quarters.
The fourth quarter started with a touchdown pass by Favela to Jack Call, but the extra point was blocked it it was a 31-29 lead for Judson. Johnson put the Rebels ahead with about nine minutes remaining on a five-yard touchdown run, and Maltos hit a 25-yard field goal with under three minutes in the game to seal the deal.
Johnson, who is an all-district cornerback who also plays running back for the Rebels, finished the night with 196 yards rushing on 19 carries. He was all over the field making plays, including the game-winning touchdown run in the fourth quarter and a 79-yard scamper on a kickoff return for a score.
The Rebels take on Friendship at home on October 6 at 7 p.m. in the first game of district play of the season.
Remaining for games for Midland Legacy
Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. vs. Frenship
Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. vs. Permian
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. at San Angelo Central
Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. vs. Midland
Friday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. at Odessa