FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Johnson excels in every phase

Published 4:17 pm Thursday, September 13, 2012

Anthony Johnson did the same thing last week that he’s been doing for four seasons now: The Maplesville senior impacted a football game in several phases as his team delivered an impressive victory.

Johnson ran the game’s opening kickoff back 32 yards and was just getting started. He caught four passes for 72 yards and one touchdown on offense and recorded eight tackles (two of which were for a loss), defended a pass and returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown.

Good hands: Johnson caught four passes for 72 yards against Billingsley, but his biggest play was an interception returned 94 yards for a touchdown.

He is The Clanton Advertiser’s Player of the Week for his performance in the 34-0 win at Billingsley.

Johnson started 12 games as an outside linebacker during his freshman season. He started 13 games as a sophomore and 13 games as a junior as both a linebacker on defense and a receiver on offense.

He also contributes on special teams.

MHS coach Brent Hubbert said there’s never any concern about Johnson having too much on his plate.

“He doesn’t want to come off the field,” Hubbert said. “If we saw him loafing, it would be a different story. We’ll try to send people in for him, and then you’ll look over there and that guy is back on the sideline. He’ll say, ‘[Johnson] wouldn’t come out.’”

Johnson’s success is no accident.

“The great thing about Anthony is his work ethic and how he carries himself,” Hubbert said. “If we’re doing grass drills for punishment, he’s 10 yards ahead of everybody. He’s the first one in line every drill we do.”

Honorable mention

•Rashaud Caver, Billingsley

•Nick Haube, Chilton Christian

•Nolan Hayes, Thorsby

•Richard Hilliard, Chilton Co.

•Keyshawn Jemison, Jemison

•Aaron Ratliff, Isabella

•Jeronskie Williams, Verbena

Previous winners

•Week 1: Richard Hilliard, Chilton Co.