Hawthorne running back Keenon Johnson was a key contributor to the Hornets winning back-to-back state titles.
Last Thursday in Tallahassee, Johnson helped lead the Hornets to a 22-13 win against Madison County in the FHSAA Class 1R state championship game.
The Hornets (13-0) became the first Alachua County football team to win back-to-back state titles.
Johnson has been recognized as the Pavlik Orthodontics Athlete of the Week after rushing for 110 yards on 21 carries. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
“I’ve said this probably almost every week, every game, Keenon is very special,” said Hawthorne quarterback C.J. Ingram. “He’s the best running back in the state and he’ll definitely go into the spring with all of the offers that he wants.”
Although he didn’t make it in the end zone, his clock-eating carries on Hawthorne’s final drive helped the Hornets repeat as state champions.
Following a safety with 9:30 to play to give Hawthorne a 15-13 lead, the Hornets got the ball back at the Madison County 45-yard line with 9:22 to play.
The Hornets put the ball in the hands of their junior running back.
“He did his thing,” said Hawthorne football coach Cornelius Ingram. “He’s been a workhorse all year. I’m happy he’s returning. He deserves a lot of credit. He’s a humble kid, runs extremely hard every single play, blocks in the passing game. I’m just happy I get to coach him.”
Johnson carried the ball eight times for 33 yards on the drive as the Hornets burned 5:53 off the fourth quarter clock.
“It was a point of emphasis to pound the ball in the second half and we just lined up and run it right at them,” said Coach Ingram’s brother, offensive coordinator Greg Bowie. “We told our O-line, and we told Keenon, ‘we’re going to lean on you,’ and all playoff long he’s had like 20 carries a game in the playoffs and tonight was no different.”
It was the 11th 100-yard plus game rushing this season for Johnson, who finished with 1,594 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Johnson joins teammates Andrew Zock and Alvon Issac in becoming the 16th athlete to be selected for the weekly award.
Last week’s winner was Zock, a Navy commit.
The senior led the Hornets with eight total tackles, including six solo, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in a 49-0 win against Blountstown in the 1R state semifinals.
Other winners include Buchholz running back Quinton Cutler, Buchholz boys cross country state champion Riley Smith, Gainesville swimmer Ava Fuller, who won an individual state title, P.K. Yonge swimmer Lillie Nesty, who won two individual state titles, Santa Fe (Alachua) volleyball player Jordan Czaplewski, Williston running back Jace McDonald, Nash Lantinen of the St. Francis Catholic Academy football team, Oak Hall setter/right side hitter Cassidy McDonald, Oak Hall quarterback Dakota Brower, GHS quarterback Kane Smith, Buchholz football player Myles Graham, Hawthorne wide receiver Alvon Isaac, Chiefland running back Osten Jones, and Newberry volleyball player Hailey Tharp.
Coaches can email their nominations each week, along with stats, no later than Sunday night to mike.ridaught@mainstreetdailynews.com.