JOHNSTON CITY — The Johnston City Indians are headed to the 2A State Semifinals for the first time in school history after beating Althoff 42-32 Saturday at chilly Ralph Davison Field.

There was no chill when it came to senior Isiah Watson and the Indians rushing attack. Watson ran for just shy of 200 yards and scored three touchdowns, while the Indians rushed for more than 350 yards as a team.

The Indians needed the ground and pound attack to keep the ball away from Althoff. The quick-strike Crusaders ran a pair of kickoffs back for touchdowns and also added a Braylon Grayson to Taylor Powell 64-yard TD pass, all in the second half, to keep the pressure on the Indians.

After Powell returned a kickoff for a TD to pull Althoff within 35-32, the Crusaders recovered an onside kick. The Indians’ defense came up huge for a second time in the game, stripping Grayson on a scramble, with Connor Mowery recovering it for Johnston City at the 17. Mowery also ended a Crusaders’ drive late in the first half with an interception in the end zone to preserve a 14-10 Indians’ lead at the half.

Following the fumble recovery, Johnston City marched 83 yards, capped by Watson’s 14-yard TD with 3:19 to play. The Crusaders then turned it over on downs to secure the Indians’ win.

Johnston City improves to 12-0 and will travel to meet fellow unbeaten Decatur St. Teresa Saturday at 3:00, with the winner headed to Champaign the day after Thanksgiving to play for the 2A State Championship.

Althoff finishes 7-5.