Johnson aims to kick-start Desert Pines

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002 | 11:01 a.m.

SCHEDULE

Kickoff at 6 p.m. unless noted:

When last we saw Cornell Johnson, the Desert Pines running back had carried 20 times for 237 yards and three touchdowns in a playoff game against Foothill last November.

Normally, numbers like that would be more than enough to propell Johnson's Jaguars to victory. But this time, it was not to be. A 42-35 loss to the Falcons ended Desert Pines' season one win short of the state tournament.

After the game, a weary Johnson vowed things would be different in 2002.

"Next year, it's going to be a breakout season," he said as he slowly made his way toward the team bus. "I'm going to carry my team to that Sunrise (Region) championship, and that's a promise."

Ten months later, Johnson has his chance to make good on that pledge. The fifth-ranked Jaguars travel to Palo Verde for one of Southern Nevada's 12 Class 4A season openers tonight at 6.

"(That loss) still sticks there, but it's a new year and that's in the past," Johnson said this week. "It motivated me knowing we should have gone farther in the playoffs."

With nearly 4,000 yards with 46 touchdowns in 29 career varsity games, Johnson has been recognized as one of Nevada's top backs since the end of his freshman year.

Coach Leon Evans believes it's time his senior star is recognized as the area's top-rated rusher. "The last couple of years. he's been overshadowed by (Foothill's) John Ford, (Eldorado's) Steven Jackson and (Las Vegas') Antione White," Evans said. "He's running the ball harder than ever. I think he'll take it to another level this year."

Johnson and his offensive teammates should get a stout week one test from a Panther defense usually among the area's best. Though it will be the schools' first meeting, Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost has the Jaguar scouting report down pat.

"You have to control Johnson," Rost said. "He's a big part of that offense. We'll try to slow him down somehow."

Palo Verde's defense will also have to contend with a Desert Pines offensive line Evans described as the best in the school's 4-year history.

"If everyone does their job up front we should have a good season," Jags senior center Curtis Coker said. "Every time we get (Johnson) a lot of yards, he takes us out, and we like to eat. We'll work hard to get him that (rushing) title."

Tonight's contest will also feature the unveiling of Palo Verde's new Double-Wing offense. Similar to the Wing-T, the formation relies on misdirection and takes advantage of over-pursuit.

"We've got to be disciplined against it," Evans said. "It's almost like defending the option. Everybody has a responsibility. You've got to be very sound against it."

Offered Rost: "Their defense is real aggressive and real scrappy. It comes right after you. With our misdirection stuff, hopefully we'll take advantage of some of that."

Should Palo Verde running backs Gerard Lawson and Jordan Wilmore get into the Jaguars secondary, they might see Johnson chasing them. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder will start at safety as well this season.

"It's my senior year, so I have to do everything I can to help the team," Johnson said. "We've been 8-3 the last two years. We feel like if we don't win nine games, we didn't get better as a team."