Johnson leading the way for championship-bound Trojans

By Gary Baines, For the Ledger

LONGMONT – Longmont football coach Doug Johnson doesn’t hedge his bets when asked what senior Jake Johnson has meant to the Trojans.

“He’s the best quarterback in the state,” said the coach, who isn’t related to his standout QB.

On Saturday, Jake Johnson will have the chance to prove his coach’s words are not just hyperbole. In his final game as a high school football player, the QB has the opportunity to lead Longmont to its first state football championship since 1991. The Trojans (11-2) will face Heritage (12-1) for the 4A title at 11 a.m. at Invesco Field in Denver.

Not coincidentally, Heritage coach Mike Griebel could very well echo Doug Johnson’s comments about his QB when speaking about his own signal-caller, Mitch Griebel, who is the coach’s son.

Quarterback Jake Johnson has led the 11th-seeded Longmont High School Trojans into the 4A state football championship game. Longmont will play Heritage at Invesco Field at Mile High on Saturday. Jonathan Castner photo.

Not only are Jake Johnson and Mitch Griebel two of the top four passers in Class 4A, but they’re among the premier dual threats in the state, regardless of classification.

Johnson has racked up 2,007 yards passing and 882 rushing this season, having a hand in 32 touchdowns overall (15 passing, 17 running). Griebel counters with 1,900 yards passing, 1,123 rushing, and has played a role in 45 TDs (32 through the air and 13 running).

Suffice it to say the two play pivotal roles for teams hungering for a state title.

“I want it so bad, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get a state championship for our team,” Johnson said. “I’ll do whatever they want me to do to get that trophy.”

The 6-2, 210-pound senior certainly has done plenty just to help Longmont get to the state title game. As the 11th seed in a 16-team bracket, the Trojans were a long shot to make it to the state championship game, but here they are after three high-scoring playoff wins, including a state semifinal victory over defending champion Wheat Ridge.

In those three postseason victories, Johnson has accounted for 909 yards of offense – 625 through the air and 284 on the ground – and he’s played a part in 10 touchdown plays.

“He’s our leader, and the players around him have been outstanding,” Doug Johnson said. “His protection has been great, and his blocking has been great. They’re making plays, but he’s leading the way also. And he’s gotten better every week.”

Jake Johnson, the Camera’s All-Region Player of the Year in 2008, has been nothing if not a versatile playmaker. In a 42-41 quarterfinal win over previously unbeaten Pine Creek, he passed for 417 yards and three touchdowns. And in first-round and semifinal victories, he rushed for 105 and 136 yards, respectively.

“Hopefully, that (versatility) leaves a doubt in defenses’ minds as to what specifically we’re doing,” said Jake, who doesn’t know where he’ll play next year, though CSU-Pueblo showed some interest this week. “If I step down, am I going to run it or am I going to pull back up and throw the ball? That definitely throws defenses off.”

Longmont’s offense has been potent all year, averaging 32 points per game, but the Trojans have especially hit stride lately, with a 38-points-per-game norm over the last five contests, all wins. Seniors Jay Knaus (859 yards rushing and 324 receiving), Christian Gunderson (509 rushing), and Dawlton Cole (500 receiving yards) all provide a big spark for Longmont.

But when all is said and done, the only numbers that Jake Johnson and company care about are the points on the scoreboard come Saturday at Invesco.

“In the end, I just want that state championship,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t care less if I have zero passing yards and zero rushing yards as long as I can throw blocks or do something to get our team a trophy. In the end, a state championship says it over statistics.”