Johnson’s stellar season capped years of growth

Adam Candee

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 10:15 a.m.

Head over to Freedom Park almost any day, and you likely can find two dozen or so people doing something or other.

On a hot late-summer afternoon four years ago, you would have found Cornell Johnson and the fledgling Desert Pines Jaguars making the best of a football practice next to some picnickers and kids on the twisty slide.

"We didn't have a football field," Johnson said. "It wasn't ready yet."

How things have changed in such a short time for Johnson and the Jaguars. Just two weeks ago, Desert Pines played for the 4A state championship, and today, Johnson is the Sun's 2002 Offensive Player of the Year.

"He's been our star all four years," Desert Pines coach Leon Evans said.

The numbers back up Evans. In his standout senior campaign, Johnson racked up 2,105 rushing yards on 275 carries, and he also totaled 37 TDs on the ground. Using a powerful downhill running style, Johnson displayed his best whether squaring his shoulders to bowl over defenders or bouncing outside to showcase his speed.

"It was my time to step up and show my leadership to my teammates," Johnson said.

To gain that respect, Johnson needed to do what all the greats eventually learn to do -- make his teammates better.

At times, that meant Johnson took a back seat in the Jaguars' offense this year, a role that he had to grow accustomed to after being the lone star for Desert Pines since the beginning.

"I was really impressed," Evans said. "He allowed (quarterback) Marcel (Johnson) to excel this year. In the past, all it was was the Cornell show. This year, we had receivers making some plays."

With the diversified offense, Desert Pines accomplished more in one season than it had in three years. The Jaguars finally defeated rival Las Vegas in the Sunrise Region championship, earning a berth in the 4A state playoffs. They advanced to the title game by downing Cheyenne, but at the high price of Cornell Johnson's torn rib cartilage.

"This is football. Injuries are supposed to happen," Cornell Johnson said. "I can't blame myself because of injuries. I just thank God that I got a chance to play in the state championship game."

Though the Jaguars fell to McQueen in the championship, their senior leader still feels that Desert Pines made huge strides.

"People are going to see that the senior class of 2003 put all the dedication into the Desert Pines football program," Johnson said. "I feel good about that."

The biggest names in college football are now recruiting him.

"Me being here the last four years and putting in the work, I feel I deserve this," he said. "But if it wasn't for my teammates, I wouldn't be in the position I am now."