By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Sometimes bye weeks can slow us down....make us complacent, especially when we've been incredible....but for 2022 LSU commit Jake Johnson out of Oconee High, that just isn't his style.
Topping his previous best of 6 TDs in 7 games during the 2019 season, the #1 ranked TE in America continued his feverish 2021 pace, this time against Monroe Area:
Posting 92 yards off 5 catches, cashing in for 2 more TDs, Johnson has now racked up an incendiary 7 TDs over his past 4 games.
This past Friday, both scores signified all 14 points for Oconee in their 17-14 defeat to Monroe Area and the Warriors' first loss of the campaign.
Holding a 7-1 record now heading into the final two Friday nights of the regular season, this weekend on the road @ 6-2 Stephens County promises another "tough game" as Jake described to us, and concerning "peaking at the right time", Oconee can't afford to slip up, not with the playoffs just around the corner.
For his part, Johnson is leading the team just as a senior leader should, hauling in huge catches, punching in drives with 7 points, connecting well alongside QB Jacob Wright, and constantly moving the chains with each and every touch.....
....although... it would greatly help Oconee's path to a state title if they aimed the ball Jake's way far more often, allowing him to go above and beyond for the team, specifically letting his underrated abilities after the catch take full flight.
RB C.J Jones has had a great season, no doubt his rushing abilities will prove to be a deciding factor in November or December, however, to win it all this year, Oconee must feed their best player, unleashing his unstoppable qualities....athleticism we've only seen flashes of due to run-first playcalling.
Still, I must give credit where credit is due, Johnson's numbers have blown up over the past 4 games, coinciding with the Oconee offensive staff going his way far more often; until the team were bogged down by a big fumble and other crucial errors vs Monroe Area, the Warriors were starting to figure it out through the air.
But in the face of a close game, the offensive play calling went back to the safe run-first philosophy they've always believed in, effectively running the clock out on themselves.
Now is the time...catching just 5 passes and producing 92 yards and 2 receptions ending in touchdowns, Oconee must not only trust in Johnson's versatile strengths, they have to appoint him their unequivocal red zone finisher.
If Johnson can produce a touchdown every 4.8 catches, as well as moving the chains with 16.4 yards per reception, when the game is on the line....the ball must go his way.
He's earned the right to decide the big games......let him.
HIGHLIGHTS
COURTESY BRAD JOHNSON
2021 STATS
625 RECEIVING YARDS
38 CATCHES
16.4 PER CATCH
8 TDs
-7 in his last 4 apps.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
SHOUTOUTS: Kevin Howell is a badass, Stephen Bridges even tho I hardly agree with you, Saaaaam