’Horns refuse to bow out

By Gene Renfro

GREENEVILLE — The Longhorns are still on the loose!

Johnson County will play for the Region 1-AA baseball championship today at Unicoi County after beating Greeneville 5-1 Tuesday.

“We’ve played Unicoi County tough all season. We’re going to go there and give it our best,” Johnson County head coach Pete Pavusek said about playing Unicoi County for a seventh time this season.

The Longhorns will take a 17-11 record to Erwin to play for the region title and home-field advantage for the sectional round. The winner of Region 1-AA will host the loser between Christian Academy of Knoxville and Pigeon Forge, while the loser has to travel to the winner.

Johnson County was one of four district runners-up to advance to one of the eight region championship games across the state in the AA classification. The Longhorns have gone from the No. 4 seed from the District 1-AA tournament to one of the last 16 teams left with a chance to win the state title.

Johnson County had to rally after Greeneville scored an unearned run in the opening inning. That was no problem for the Longhorns.

In the top of the second, Ryan Mahala had a single which