October 31, 1999|By Lem Satterfield | Lem Satterfield,SUN STAFF
In 2 1/2 seasons of football, Johnson has passed for 2,923 yards and 39 touchdowns, rushed for 2,490 yards and 24 scores. He has returned eight kickoffs and punts for touchdowns, and caught four passes for scores.
Dundalk coach Eric Webber was left amazed after watching Johnson engineer a 36-0 shutout of his Owls.
"On one play, we had him 12 yards deep, scrambling in the backfield. But he broke loose -- six guys had a hand on him and never tackled him," Webber said. "He can beat you deep, he can run the ball and he can make you miss. I've never seen a better high school football player than Richard Johnson."
Johnson has been throwing passes to teammate Brandon Thompson since early childhood.
"We live like 10 seconds apart, and we'd work out in the back yard all the time," said Thompson, a senior who's a double-threat with receiver Renard Stancil. "I'm able to tell him if I don't like something, he understands, and vice versa. We have a great bond."
"Did he tell you about their audible system?" Brooks asked.
"They put it in themselves. It's something I know nothing about," Brooks added. "I don't have any idea what they're going to do, and as a coach, I'm not ashamed to say that. They get up there and do it, and I'm as surprised as everyone else at the results."
But Johnson had one of his worst outings in a recent 24-19 win over Woodlawn, being sacked four times and losing two of three fumbles. Johnson had passed for 14 touchdowns entering the game, but threw none that day.
Before the game, however, Woodlawn coach Reggie White said, "Richard can have a bad day and out-shine most people. He can still beat you on his worst day."
Johnson made him a prophet, breaking two tackles along the sideline to score the game-winner on a 55-yard run.
"With Richard, all eyes are always on him, like, `Which spectacular move is he going to do to win this game?' " White said.
