Football is a snap for Gov. Mifflin’s Eden Johnson

Eden Johnson ended last season playing quarterback at Gov. Mifflin, but it wasn’t the way he envisioned it.

Ruled ineligible for the playoffs because of his late transfer from West Catholic in Philadelphia, the best he could do was play quarterback on the scout team as the Mustangs prepared to meet Pine-Richland in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals.

“It was hard the whole week (leading up to that game), knowing I couldn’t help,” said Johnson, a rising senior. “I was trying to do whatever I could to win that game.”

It would’ve helped more had Johnson been able to start at cornerback. The Mustangs needed all hands on deck in an effort slow down the eventual state champs. They went into the game missing a vital part of their defense, then lost a couple of defensive starters to injury during the game.

In the end they just ran out of bodies, falling 48-44.

“It was hard,” said Johnson, who had to watch from the sidelines at Hollidaysburg. “That hurt all of us, everybody.”

When the season kicks off Aug. 27 against York High Johnson could be back at quarterback for the Mustangs. He’s been competing throughout the summer for that job with rising junior Delsin McNeil.

Finding the right quarterback will be critical for the Mustangs’ hopes this season. They’re loaded with offensive play-makers, starting with Penn State recruit Nick Singleton, but finding the right guy to get the ball into his hands will be a key.

They found the right guy last year when Connor Maryniak – who had never started a game – stepped in and led the highest-scoring team in Berks history to its first District 3 championship.

Johnson has played quarterback before. That was his spot at West Catholic in 2019. He excelled as a sophomore in the Burrs’ Spread offense, which allowed him the opportunity to show off his speed to the edge and his open-field running ability.

It’s a totally different ballgame at Mifflin, which runs the Mid-Line Veer. The quarterback lines up under center, not in the Shotgun, and must make split-second reads to determine whether to hand the ball off, keep it or pitch it.

It’s a demanding task.

“The footwork for the Mid-Line is pretty specific,” said Mifflin coach Jeff Lang. “It takes hundreds and hundreds of reps (to get it down). You’re taking the snap and keeping your eyes on the read man instead of looking at the running back when you hand the ball off.

“That’s the biggest thing in this offense: You’re making the handoff, you’re looking at the defensive player trying to decide whether or not to hand it off or to keep it. Getting that to mesh with Trey (Rock) and the other fullbacks we have, that takes a lot of time and a lot of reps.”

Johnson went to work on that as soon as last season ended. He spent countless hours in the winter taking snaps and watching film.

“I’m starting to see it, better than it was,” he said of the reads. “In the winterime it was a bit rough, but now that we’re out here working I’m starting to see it well. It’s a big transition, but I can make it.”

“I’ve been very impressed with the way he’s stepped in at quarterback, picking up everything we’re doing pretty darned quick,” Lang said. “You’re pretty amazed at some of the things he can do.”

Johnson has a high football IQ. He’s been schooled in the sport since he was big enough to hold a football; his father, Darryl Johnson, played at Kutztown University.

Darryl, a veteran of the Philadelphia police force, has run football camps and coached youth leagues for years in the city. He knows the streets of Philadelphia as well as anyone and knows the dangers that lurk for young men. He felt the need to move his family to safer grounds. That’s how Eden ended up at Mifflin last August.

“Eden’s a great kid,” Darryl said. “His academic record precedes his athletic ability. I was trying to get my son to a place where he can thrive and be safe. I didn’t want him to get caught up (in dangerous situations) there.”

The transfer, because it came after Eden Johnson’s sophomore year, meant he’d be ineligible to participate in the postseason according to PIAA rules. Had he stayed in Philadelphia he wouldn’t have played a single game last season; the Burrs’ fall season was canceled due to COVID concerns.

The move allowed Johnson to get on the field with a state-ranked team and he fit right in. In the season opener at Wilson he intercepted a pass and had a long return. It was his first of three picks last season.

Even if he doesn’t end up behind center Johnson will be a big factor for the Mustangs on defense. He’ll move to safety, his natural position, and show off the hitting ability that drew the attention of William & Mary coaches, who offered him a scholarship following his sophomore season.

“You’re talking about a kid whose football smarts are off the charts,” said Lang. “He’s like a general on the field. He knows the game well, he makes adjustments on the field, he’s a leader.”

Johnson was used at corner last season because it got him into the lineup quicker. He’ll make an even bigger impact at safety where he’ll line up next to Ayden Martin, who’s also drawing Division I interest.

“He’s a heavy hitter,” Lang said of Johnson. “He brings a punch with him.”

Johnson took a big hit late last season; now he’s ready to hit back.

“I’m looking forward to this season,” he said. “I’m ready to go. I’m looking forward to the first game.”