Junction City keeps marching in 6A
By: Mark Schremmer -- special to Kpreps.com
Posted: September 29, 2009 - 11:07 PM

There’s no question the Junction City Blue Jays are missing some talent from a year ago.

The defending Class 6A state champions graduated three all-state first teamers in quarterback Ty Zimmerman, offensive lineman Justin Aumen and return man Chris Toombs. However, the Blue Jays have picked up where they left off from last year’s 13-0 season with an unbeaten mark and No. 2 ranking after four games.

“We lost some really good kids from last season,” Junction City head coach Randall Zimmerman said. “We lost some leaders for us. But we had a number of kids returning. The expectations were high to be successful again.”

Those expectations seem to have merit as Junction City has defeated Topeka Highland Park, Topeka West, Emporia and Shawnee Heights by a combined score of 184-64.

Admittedly, the team philosophy has changed a little. Without Ty Zimmerman, who passed for 1,920 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, the offense has focused more on the run.

“He read defenses so well. We were able to throw the ball a lot,” Coach Zimmerman said. “He broke school records.”

“But we’re finding our way this year,” he said. “We don’t change our offense every year, but we do fit it to our personnel.”

So while the Blue Jays have gradually opened up the passing game each week with quarterbacks Braden Gallentine and Corey Burch, the focus has been on the run.

Junction City has been effective with misdirection, finding success with multiple ball carriers. The Blue Jays are rushing for 6.4 yards per carry as a team, led by senior Jimmie King (470 yards, 5 TDs, 8.1 ypc), senior Nathen Kozlowski (311 yards, 7 TDs, 7.0 ypc) and junior Cody Parmely (255 yards, 3 TDs, 6.2 ypc).

The Blue Jays have been equally effective against the run, limiting opponents to 2.8 yards per carry this season.

“We’ve been playing very solid defensively,” Zimmerman said.

Despite the early-season success, the coach shies away from any repeat predictions.

“We haven’t set that as a goal at all,” Zimmerman said. “I know it’s kind of cliché, but we just want to get better each snap.”

The Blue Jays hope to do that Friday against a 2-2 Topeka Hayden squad.

And if Junction City continues to improve, the stars could align for a Week 9 showdown against Class 6A’s No. 3-ranked Manhattan Indians. Both teams enter Week 5 undefeated, so the game has the potential to decide league and district championships.