Westside football lost many seniors last year, including receivers Caleb Benning and Teddy Rezac, two big targets for also graduated quarterback Anthony Rezac. High school football each year brings new changes to the roster and the program, none more apparent than this year where there have been many changes on the roster including a new quarterback, a new secondary on defense and new receivers. Westside returned many great receivers such as Keynan Cotton and Christan Jones and had some transfers such as Titan Glassman and Maurice Purify II. But most of the receivers are going to be thrusted into new roles this year, including junior Eli Johnson.
Johnson rode the bench last year but managed to get into five games catching two passes for 15 yards. This year is different however, many new guys, especially receivers, are getting their time to shine this year and Johnson is one of them.
“We just need to keep doing what we are doing,” Johnson said. “If we keep doing our 1/11 and knowing our roles this season we should be looking deadly.”
The Warriors are coming off one of, if not the greatest season in Nebraska high school football history after finishing undefeated at 13-0 and scoring 643 points over that 13 game span. The new team this year is only returning 16 receiving touchdown passes from last season coming from Cotton and Jones, so it will be a boom or bust season in the receiver room this year.
“We need to think we did last year game by game,” Johnson said. “We can’t think too far into the future, we need to focus on the now and how we need to prepare and play for the next upcoming game.”
Johnson, with his 6 ‘4 frame and elite body control, will be a perfect deep ball threat for the new quarterback but also can run short routes and has a great ability to break tackles and get great yards after the catch. Johnson is also a defensive back for the team, recording two tackles last season but just like at receiver he will play a bigger role there this season for the Warriors.
“I just have to do my part,” Johnson said. “I know I’m not getting the ball every play. I just need to keep working my but off and help my teammates to succeed.”
Recruiting is also a big part of a high school career. Johnson still has one more year to prove himself but already has caught the eyes of schools including powerhouse division one FCS schools like North Dakota State and South Dakota State and even some FBS programs, mainly the home state Huskers and Iowa State. Expect him to catch the eyes of more schools around the country this year because he can greatly improve his stock if he gets playing time and shows out.
“I’ve been talking with Iowa State and will probably go up to this fall,” Johnson said. “But have also been talking to Nebraska, NDSU, SDSU and other schools like that.”
Johnson runs track in the spring as well. During the offseason last season he showed that aspect of his game by winning first in the long jump with a personal record, and finishing 4th in the 200m sprint along with competing on other team events. Summer camps are also a big part of the offseason for Johnson and other high schoolers. Johnson was showing out at many camps this year, mainly in seven on seven team camps, and got to work with and gain chemistry with new quarterback Braylen Warren and other Warriors who participated in the same camps. The camps also help with putting yourself out there in the recruiting field with scouts from all over the country looking for the next great diamond in the rough.
“It’s great that I get to go out there and show what I have to offer,” Johnson said. “I want to show that I can play at the next level no matter what it takes.”
Johnson along with a bunch of other players are gonna have to step up this season in order for them to win their third state championship in a row. It will be a proving season for Johnson and the rest of the team.
“Yeah there is pressure for the season,” Johnson said. “ We just need to keep our heads down and work and the pressure will go away as the season goes on.”
