Schools
Athlete of the Week: Stephen Johnson
"As a freshman on varsity, he's handling the pressure really well." — San Leandro HIgh School quarterbacks coach Matt Maughn
Stephen Johnson has been playing football since he was 8 years old, so when he was informed that he would be playing at the varsity level his first year in high school, he came with more years of experience than a lot of the other players on the team.
A new rule in the North Coast Section allows Johnson to play on varsity as a freshman as long as he files a waiver, which he said was easy.
Even with the years of experience under his belt coming into the season this year, Johnson said he was still "surprised" to be playing on varsity.
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Johnson has been playing with older kids since his dad first started him out with the San Leandro Crusaders. He was a stand-out athlete every year for the perennial powerhouse Crusader squad.
In his first varsity game for San Leandro High School vs. Berkeley High on Sept. 2, Johnson completed four of five passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-14 win.
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Johnson credits the win mostly to his teammates.
"We had [the game] under control" he said.
Needless to say his coaches and teammates are happy to have the 5' 10", 175-lb., well-tuned specimen of an athlete on the varsity squad this year.
It is clear he has the poise to be a 14-year-old leader among 16 to 18-year-olds. Asked what the key will be to his success this year, he answered with the wisdom of a professional quarterback: "I have to stay calm out there."
Johnson credits his father as an inspiration to playing and working hard to be successful. His dad played college football at Mississippi State.
Quarterback coach Matt Maugh says that Johnson's work ethic is very good.
"He comes to practice and competes. He tries to be the best person on the field every play," Maughn said.
Johnson will also play basketball and track this year for San Leandro, but his hopes are to one day earn a scholarship playing football.
This year Johnson hopes to win league and make it to the California State Football Championships.
Johnson lives in San Leandro, and if that's the case for the next four years then the school will have a great chance to win every time they march onto the field with him at the helm, at quarterback.
Favorite food: cheeseburgers
Favorite athlete: Dwayne Wade
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Khol
Check out Johnson working out at practice in the video above.
San Leandro plays James Logan High School Friday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at James Logan.
