Injured Pines’ star says he’ll play in final

Adam Candee

Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

Desert Pines players, coaches and fans feel free to exhale now: Cornell Johnson is OK and he will play in Saturday's 4A state championship game against McQueen.

Johnson suffered torn rib cartilage in Desert Pines' 26-6 state semifinal victory over Cheyenne this past weekend, a scary injury that sent the Jaguars' standout senior running back to the hospital in an ambulance. Tests showed the torn cartilage, but Johnson did not suffer any broken ribs, as originally feared.

"Medically, he's cleared, but he's going to be really sore," Desert Pines coach Leon Evans said Sunday.

That idea appeared unlikely at best after Johnson, Nevada's best prep player, left the field in an ambulance Saturday afternoon. Johnson was injured on a routine running play in the third quarter, when he apparently took a hard hit to the chest after being stopped on a short gain.

Johnson needed to be carried off the field, stunning both teams and the crowd. Trainers and coaches attended to him on the sideline, as Johnson winced in pain and had trouble standing without assistance.

Evans spoke to Johnson after he left the hospital, and Johnson stated, in no uncertain terms, that he would not miss the game.

"He's like, 'I'm going to play Saturday,' " Evans said.

Johnson will be held out of contact drills during practice this week.

Another scare spread through the Desert Pines sideline when backup running back Tony Williams injured his right arm, although he did not leave the contest. Williams carried the ball in his left arm for the remainder of the game after going down hard on his right side soon after Johnson was sidelined.

After Johnson left the game, Marcel Johnson fired a touchdown pass to Kawon Walker on Desert Pines' next play, but the Jaguars (SR-1, 12-1) sputtered after that. The offense never established any presence in the running or the passing game after Johnson departed.

"We didn't play really well Saturday," Evans said. "We were just so flat."

Regardless, the Jaguars are still enjoying the ride of qualifying for the state title game in just their fourth year of existence. Desert Pines never allowed Cheyenne (SS-2, 9-4) into Saturday's contest, using a defense that bent but would not break to advance.

Evans allowed himself and his team to enjoy the win Saturday, but the Sunday arrival of McQueen game film reminded everyone of the task at hand. The Lancers (N-1, 13-0) have posted a combined score of 642-28 in 13 games.

"Watching McQueen, that makes you get back to reality real quick," Evans said.

Saturday's contest is slated for a 1 p.m. start at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Tight end Motu Otuafi, a Sun first-team All-State pick last season, was ejected in the second quarter for a personal foul. Under NIAA rules, the ejection comes with a one-game suspension, meaning that Otuafi will likely be forced to sit out the state title game.

Otuafi is also a three-year starter at linebacker for McQueen.