A.L. Johnson used a suffocating defense and a punishing ground game to keep their playoff hopes alive and well with a XX-XX victory Thursday night over Sunshine.

With the win, Johnson improved to 5-3 overall on the season and 3-3 in 1A Region 4 play. Sunshine dropped to 2-6, 1-5.

The first half was a defensive struggle with both teams struggling to put points on the board. It was the visiting Eagles who first broke through when after a scoreless first quarter senior quarterback Michael McGhee scored on the ground to put Johnson up 6-0. The conversion failed, but thanks to the stingy Eagles defense the score remained 6-0 at halftime.

The Eagles put the game away with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Brandon Fritts carried for 22 yards to the Sunshine 44 on the first play from scrimmage of the second half and McGhee got his second score three plays later, scoring from 20 yards out. Fritts swept left for the two-point conversion and with 9:22 left in the quarter Johnson was up 14-0.

Sunshine tried to respond with the power running of Robert Lyons and Tevin Griffin, but a sack forced the Tigers to punt. Marcus Lee’s kick was blocked, however, and the Eagles began their second drive in great field position a the Sunshine 7.

Fritts carries to the 1 on first down and although the Sunshine defense held firm for a play, on third down Demetrius Cade pushed in. McGhee kicked the extra point for a 21-0 advantage as the quarter ended.

Next week Johnson will host rival Linden in a game in which, barring a Carrollton upset of Linden Friday, only the winner will advance to the 1A playoffs. Sunshine closes out their regional schedule with Carrollton.