JOHNSTON CITY — Nashville and Johnston City were scheduled to head in opposite directions for Week 1 of the high school football season. The Hornets were slated to play at Carlyle, the Indians at Edwards County. With both Carlyle and Edwards County unable to play due to numbers and COVID issues, Nashville and Johnston City agreed midweek to play each other.

Unlike back in the spring, there are playoff implications with the decision to find a replacement team if the orginal opponent can’t play. The teams could’ve just taken the forfeit win, but both felt it was more important to play, even with the risk of a loss by playing a quality team in a week without normal preparation.

With a little more than one day to prepare, two teams with lofty goals squared off in an unexpected season opener that felt more a first round playoff game–except for that whole preparation thing.

Nashville played keep away much of the night, dominating the time of possession, including a seven-minute scoring drive. The Hornets led 14-6 at the half, and added two Connor Gladson touchdowns with two Kolten Gajewski to Isaac Turner two-conversions.

The Hornets (1-0) will be back on the road next at Freeburg, while Johnston City (0-1) will be at home to host Eldorado.