Norwich — Jawaun Johnson didn't want anyone to ask him "What happened?" any more.

One year after getting stopped at the 5-yard line on the final play of a three-point loss to Griswold, Johnson, Norwich Free Academy's junior quarterback, made sure everyone would understand.

Johnson used that play as motivation, then carried 16 times for 167 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in NFA's 34-6 win Friday over the Wolverines.

"This was payback from last year," he said. "I've been thinking about that all week. I remember after the game, people would be asking me in class what happened. I got stopped at the 5, that's what happened.

"But I saw Griswold on the schedule this year and we just wanted to get some payback."

Said Griswold coach Gregg Wilcox: "(Johnson) is a handful. He's an outstanding athlete. We had him in the backfield a number of times, he twists, turns, dips, whatever. If we could've stopped No. 5, it might've been a different ballgame. We told the kids that if they could physically stop No. 5, you've got a shot at winning the game. We didn't stop No. 5. He's the real deal."

Late into the first half, it looked like the game might come down to the final play. Griswold (2-2) was hanging around, down just 13-0 with the ball inside one minute. But Miles Joyner beat a Wolverines receiver to Cole Mileski's pass then weaved through would-be tacklers for a 49-yard interception return and a 20-0 lead.

It was Joyner's second pick of the season, his first touchdown.

"We had good coverage on it and, when I got the ball, I was determined to return it," Joyner said. "I wasn't going to stop until I got to the end zone."

NFA (3-0) got the ball to start the second half and Johnson pushed the lead to 27-0 and put the game out of reach when he kept the ball on the read option and went 41 yards untouched for the score.

"Watching film, we knew they were obviously watching, so coach (Jemal) Davis was telling me that I was really going to have to sell it," Johnson said. "That one, I really sold the fake. And when I saw the hole, I hit it."

NFA built its first-half lead on a 15-yard run from De'Jean General and a 40-yard punt return by Johnson — the first time he was on the punt return team.

Davis said while last year's loss was a motivator, the coaching staff didn't bring it up.

"Our kids obviously know the situation, know the history (the teams had split their last six games)," he said. "It was them that stressed what they needed to do. The kids took ownership, they took the reins and ran with it. From a coach, that is what you want."

Griswold scored its touchdown on Brandon Yeaton's 1-yard run with one minute to play.