Griffith cruises into sectional semis

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EAST CHICAGO -- Looking at the box score, it may lead you to believe that Ed Johnson was cherry-picking with all three of his touchdowns coming from 1 yard out.

That wasn't the case as he helped carry Griffith over East Chicago 42-0 on Saturday.

In a sectional game that was being made up a night after lightning forced a postponement, Johnson shredded the Cardinals' defense, carrying 19 times for 141 yards, breaking 1,000 yards for the season.

"I played well, but I could have blocked better," said Johnson of his performance.

The Panthers started their first possession from the Cardinals 44-yard line and Johnson would make them pay with a slashing one-yard run, taking full advantage of great field position. "Just run the ball and score," Johnson explained of the Panthers' game plan.

Johnson would pound home another one-yard touchdown on the Panthers' next possession, capping a 74-yard drive. "We don't draw up plays for him with the wishbone, it just happens," said Panthers' coach Russ Radke.

With the Panthers already up 15-0, senior Mark Blount got his first carry of the game and broke multiple tackles for a spectacular 50-yard touchdown run to all but seal the game.

While the Panthers capitalized on every opportunity that was given to them, the Cardinals struggled to overcome penalties in crucial situations as they were flagged eight times for 55 yards.

Cardinals' running back Michael Smith did keep the Panthers on their heels through the first half, as he rushed for 60 yards on 13 carries in the first half.

The second half was a different story as he was held to 11 carries and 16 yards.

The Panthers would get right back to business in the second half as senior Austin Guzior bulldozed his way four yards and a touchdown. Guzior rammed his way to 70 yards on 10 carries.

Johnson tacked on another one-yard run in the fourth quarter, while Calvin Bonewits punched home a one-yard run of his own giving the Panthers their last score of the game.

The Panthers racked up 333 yards on the ground, while the Cardinals could only muster 62 yards.