Jameel Johnson didn’t have any illusions of grandeur entering his junior season.
With the graduation of key skill players like Johnny Beamon, Terrence Dentry, and Franklin Richardson Jr., Johnson figured he would be in position to see more time at running back this season. But Johnson wasn’t sure just how much of an impact he would be able to make on an offense that on paper looked to feature seniors like Darius Petty and Lawrence Brown.
Johnson showed last week he is ready to do what it takes every day to be an even bigger contributor for the New Hope High School football team.
Johnson rushed for a career-high 252 yards and four touchdowns Friday to help New Hope beat Saltillo 34-19 in its Class 5A, Region 1 opener.
For his accomplishments, Johnson is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“I just tried to do my part because I felt I was bringing the team down, so I worked overtime to help the team out,” Johnson said. “I felt I wasn’t going hard in practice, and my teammates were getting on me and they were like, ‘Hey Jameel, you’re not doing this or that,’ so I was like, ‘I am going to pick it up in practice,’ so I came out here and gave 100 percent and I went out there Friday night and gave 100 percent and I was able to see the outcome.”
Johnson said he really didn’t know how much he could help the set the tone for the Trojans. But with injuries plaguing the Trojans, Johnson responded last week after New Hope coach Michael Bradley said seniors spoke up and demanded all players be better prepared to work harder in practice.
Johnson, who thought he would be a “role player” who was going to do his best to take the position of Dentry, the team’s leading rusher last season, answered the call and saw Friday how his preparation can impact the team.
“Now I see people not only expect me to be the running back that we had last year but also to be a team player and to help other people out, too,” Johnson said. “I know now all I have to do is play my part. If I play my part, I know I gave my all. If I am giving my all and the team is giving their all, we’re going to win.”
Bradley also noticed the difference. He said Johnson’s strength (he squats more than 450 pounds) and vision help him make up for the fact that he is only 160 pounds.
“That is the first time I have seen Jameel play close to his potential,” Bradley said. “He has unlimited potential. He is extremely strong for a smaller back. He has great vision. It is just been a matter of him putting it all together and not worrying about the distractions and the other things that keep him from being focused and playing football and being a good teammate.”
Bradley said Johnson has matured the past few weeks, and hopes his performance against Saltillo will be a stepping stone for him and his teammates.
Johnson credited his offensive line and tight end Lawrence Brown for paving the way for him to have a career night.
“The offensive line did a great job,” Johnson said. “They blocked well, they moved to their assignments well, when they didn’t have anybody to block they moved to the next level to the linebackers and did that very well.
“My tight end, Lawrence Brown, when I scored the first time, gave me a good block. I’d like to see that more often so I can have that advantage to the outside because that is where I work best. Lawrence set me up, so I have to give that to him.”
Johnson said his goal is to continue to help set the tone in practice. Now that he sees players feed off his energy level and intensity, he said his goal is to be an inspiration for his teammates and a spark to help the Trojans get back to the playoffs.
“I just really look to play my part,” Johnson said. “I don’t really need 200 yards rushing as long as I can do my part to help my team win. If I can do that on through the games it will be a good chance for us to get some victories and to get a playoff berth.”
Bradley feels Johnson and the offensive line have the potential to duplicate their performances against Saltillo every week. He said the key is getting all of the Trojans to practice hard every week because that plays a big part in the team’s ability to execute on game nights.
The play of Johnson and the offensive line against Saltillo was a positive step in that direction.
“Jameel was one of those kids who rose to the challenge and had an exceptional good week of practice,” Bradley said. “It would be very safe to say that was his most consistent week of practice. He had a good day Friday. If he has a good game chances are we will have a good game. We have a lot of guys you can say that about. He is a starting running back and on a team like ours that wants to run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, that is very important for the running back to have a good game.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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