Johnson Gives A Glimpse Of Potential
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The excitement Northwest High running back Ke’Von Johnson creates running the football is apparently a visual experience worth capturing.
Johnson has only worn a Raiders’ uniform for game time 48 minutes and already Northwest head football coach Chris Edwards has become a believer in the ability of the 175-pound junior.
“He’s definitely fun to watch. You saw what he did on a wet field. I’m waiting to see what he can do when it’s dry,” Edwards said when reflecting on the 203 rushing yards Johnson gained on slippery turf Friday night in a 21-14 win over Eunice.
“Ke’Von is not the biggest guy, but he runs hard and it usually takes more than one guy to make the tackle on him. I’ve seen him run through tackles,” Edwards said.
Johnson, who gained over 2,000 rushing yards during his first two varsity seasons playing for St. Edmund, gained all but 31 of the Raiders’ rushing totals against the Bobcats.
Following a scoreless first half, Johnson ran for a 62 yard touchdown on the initial offensive series of the second half. Johnson added another TD on a nine-yard run with 2:13 left in the game.
In addition Johnson put the Raiders in scoring position with breakaway runs of 51 and 47 yards.
Eunice said Edwards, is an underrated team.
“They are better than most people might think. We ere able to get the win though, so I’m not going to complain,” Edwards added.
The win marked the first time Northwest defeated Eunice since 2016, said Edwards.
Eunice head coach Andre Vige felt the the Bobcats’ defense played well. Offensively Vige said Eunice lacked consistency.
“For the most part I think we stopped (Northwest) with five sophomores on defense. I think (Johnson) got over 150 yards on three plays. I thought our quarterback (Montana Brown) didn’t have the type of game he needed to have. He’s pretty much the team leader,” Vige added.
Brown completed 11 of 20 passes. His completed pass to receiver Trent Gallow with 29 seconds left, tightened a two-score game that evolved when Johnson scored his second touchdown with 2:53 remaining.
Eunice wide receiver had Brighton Laday had four catches for 41 yards.
Edwards said the Raiders changed the offense in the second half, moving Craig Malveaux to quarterback. Malveaux scored on a 3-yard run to increase the Northwest lead to 14-0.
Vige said the Bobcats failed to take advantage of two first half scoring chances that ended at the Northwest 23 and later at the Raiders’ 38.
Edwards complimented the overall performance of the Raiders’ defense. However Edwards added that Northwest provided help to the Bobcats offense with some key penalties.
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