Much like a distance runner in the recent Olympics when the bell lap rang, the Bryan County Redskins responded down the stretch.

Bryan County, now ranked No. 6 in the state in Class A-DII by the AJC, spent most of the night floundering offensively but when push came to shove it chose to shove and managed to pull out a 20-12 win over Johnson Friday night at Redskins Field in both teams' season opener.

Junior running back Anddreas Mckinny scored on an 8-yard run with 44 seconds left to give the Redskins, coming off a 12-2 season that saw them reach the Final Four in last year’s Class A-DI state playoffs, the hard-earned win over the Class 3A Atomsmashers.

Johnson, a playoff team two of the last three years and looking to rebound from a 3-7 season, had taken advantage of Bryan County miscues to build a tenuous lead which proved to be unsustainable.

Plagued by five turnovers which thwarted a struggling offense, the Redskins trailed 12-6 at the half but managed to knot the score with 6:20 remaining when senior quarterback Trevor Lanier scored on a 1-yard run to cap an 11-play 69-yard drive that started with 1:26 left in the third quarter.

The Bryan County defense then forced a three-and-out and thanks to a 19-yard punt return by Elijah Mincey the Redskins were in business at the Johnson 41 with 3:42 to play. Six plays later McKinny found the end zone on a power sweep to the left.

Coach Cherard Freeman was happy to get the win but was far from pleased with his team’s play offensively.

“You can’t put the ball on the ground four times and expect to beat a good football team,” Freeman said. “And Johnson is a good football team.”

Bryan County will have to play much better, he said, this week as it plays Friday night in order to beat Aquinas--which was ranked No. 9 in Class 3A-Private before losing its opener to No. 4 Fellowship Christian, 45-22.

“Our defense played well, that’s about all I can say,” Freeman said. “Our seniors stepped up tonight at the end, but we also had some seniors lay the ball on the ground. We’ve got to figure out a way to hold on to the football.”

Johnson took a 6-0 lead when it returned Gaige Javis’ fumble 69 yards for a score with 7:39 left in the first quarter. That lead lasted 20 seconds, however, as Ger’bravion Collins returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown.

It was the first time the Redskins had returned a kickoff for a touchdown under Freeman who is starting his fifth season.

On its next two possessions, Bryan County gave the Atom Smashers ample opportunity to break the game open.

On its first possession following Collins’ score, the Redskins turned the ball over on their own 20. Four plays later, Johnson found the end zone and then on second down on its ensuing possession, Bryan County again fumbled at its own 18.

Cornerback Mike Smith ended that threat with an interception which he returned to the 36-yard line. It was the first of three turnovers for Smith who also covered two fumbles.

“We made some mistakes,” Freeman said. “But an ugly win is better than a pretty loss any day. Our defense played well.

“Our boys grew up some tonight,” Freeman said. “They fought through some adversity and I think that’s what you’re going to have down the road, especially the region we play in.”

Lanier threw an interception on Bryan County’s first possession of the second half but from that point on the Redskins were flawless as they controlled the ball for more than 18 minutes.

Mckinny had 95 yards on 16 carries while Javis added 54 on 17 attempts.