Matt Geller
Sports Scene
In 2013, as a second-year starter for Coach Rob Zimmerman and Dewitt High School, the game started to slow down for quarterback Jake Johnson. “I was able to see the game much better and make quicker decisions,” he said.
He missed three games after rupturing his spleen in week six against St. Johns, and in spite of that, Johnson was able to finish the season with 1,933 yards and 31 touchdowns. He added another 493 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. DeWitt got its leader back for the playoffs, and after a close game with rival Haslett, Johnson led the Panthers to the Division 3 state championship game against Zeeland West.
The loss to Zeeland in the state championship didn’t set well with the quarterback. “The worst feeling of my life,” he described it. “I have never felt as bad for the team as I did after the state championship game.”
Zimmerman described Johnson as a leader of the team. “Jake is definitely not a ‘me’ guy,” he said. That was evident when, as his teams’ leader, he got back to work soon after the Zeeland game. Johnson and his teammates have been in the weight room five days a week while hitting as many 7-on-7s across the state as they can and watching enough film to keep them busy all summer long.
“I’ve worked on different areas of my game, like arm strength, putting on weight, and adding speed,” Johnson said. “I want to know this offense inside and out and help the team any way I can.”
When you have a dual-threat quarterback like Johnson, injuries are part of the game. “We tried to be careful with Jake the last couple years, limiting the amount of times he carried the ball.” Zimmerman said. “But at 6 feet 2 inches and 205 pounds, I believe he has worked himself into a position to avoid any injuries.”
In 2012, Johnson missed a majority of the season with a broken thumb.
“I don’t think or worry about getting hurt when I’m playing” Johnson said. “I have confidence in all of the guys on my team, but I also believe in myself, and whether I’m dropping back or running with the ball, I concentrate on taking what the defense gives me and not trying to do too much.”
The unique bond that Johnson and his coach share has no doubt contributed to the success of this team. “I owe a lot to Coach Zimmerman; he is like a second dad to me.” Johnson said. “I have learned to be a leader, read coverages, and become an all-around better football player because of him.”
With all of the added pressure of media attention, school, family, and friends, it seems like it would be difficult to focus on football, but it isn’t for Johnson. He takes everything in stride. “When I’m on the field, I don’t think about anything else,” he said.
He’s been courted by college programs, and during his recruiting process, Johnson worked out for Brady Hoke at the University of Michigan and Mark Dantonio at Michigan State University. He received offers from Akron and Buffalo before deciding to play for Coach Dan Enos and Central Michigan University.
“I’m excited and looking forward to playing at Central. Playing college football has always been a goal of mine,” Johnson said. “There is still work to do first.”
DeWitt is once again the favorite to win the Capital Area Activities Conference Red Division, and expectations are high for this quarterback and his team. “We lost some key players from last year’s team, but there are a couple of juniors that are stepping up, and I believe this team will be as good, if not a little bit better, than last season,” Johnson said.
The little bit better is exactly what Zimmerman and his team would like. In the last two years, the Panthers have been knocked out of the playoffs by the eventual champion, Grand Rapids Christian in 2012 and Zeeland Westand last year.
Zimmerman and Johnson look to put those setbacks behind them and focus on bringing DeWitt High School its first football state championship in 2014.
“I wouldn’t say that if we don’t win the championship, that the season would be a bust, but every guy in our locker room works hard every day so that we can get back to the state championship,” Johnson said.