Davis growing into leader in center of Johnstown defense
JOHNSTOWN — One of the key building blocks on defense for the Johnstown football team throughout the first half of the season has been junior linebacker Camren Davis.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Davis was second on the team in tackles with 27 going into last week’s game against Watkins Memorial. He added 3 1/2 tackles during the 41-0 loss to the Warriors.
“Camren is a great kid,” Johnstown coach Mike Carter said. “He is a hustle-and-effort kid. He gives it all he has. He really believes in what we’re doing. He gives it his all, whether that’s on the practice or on the field. He is a leader through his actions for sure.”
Davis plays one of the two inside linebacker spots in the Johnnies’ 4-4-3 defensive scheme.
“I’m just trying to make sure everybody knows what they’re doing and everybody is on the same page,” Davis said. “I just try to be a leader the best I can. I’m learning from the senior linebacker, Jacob Myers, who is with me. He’s taught me a lot and taught me how to be a leader and be a good tackler. I just try and keep my head up.
“Even after the tackle, we have good vibes," Davis added. "Everybody is getting up and patting the person who made the tackle on the head. We’re lifting them up. Even if we make a bad play, everybody is getting up, lifting them up and patting them on the head.”
Junior Jacob Hochanadel made 4 1/2 tackles to lead the Johnnies against Watkins. Myers made two tackles for loss.
“We have Evan Smith and Jacob Hochanedel, our two outside linebackers,” Davis said. “We also have Tyler Poulton in the secondary. He had an interception (against Watkins) and got us going. We have to keep the momentum going after plays like that.”
Johnstown's lone win was over Coshocton in Week 2. Johnstown (1-4) is a Division V school and the four losses all came against larger schools.
Davis said the Johnnies will look to jump start their season as they head into Licking County League-Cardinal Division play, hosting Northridge (1-4) for their Homecoming game on Friday.
“You can’t grow a forest overnight,” Davis said. “You have to slowly grow the seeds, water it and watch it grow. It can grow really tall if you take care of it. We all just have to work together. We have to get stronger after everything. The only place to go is up.”
Carter agreed that LCL-Cardinal play will give his team a chance to reverse course on the season.
“We are looking forward to every next day and every next week,” Carter said. “Our goal is to get a little bit better every time. (Northridge) is a rivalry game, and we need to make sure that we clean up some mistakes and push forward as we go.
In addition to Homecoming, the Big Red Alumni Band will also perform at Friday’s game, and a fireworks show is also scheduled for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game. The community's event was postponed in July because of inclement weather.
“There is a lot of football left," Carter said. "What these young men need to do and us as coaches, we’ve got to get them to regroup. The coaches have to do a great job of working with them in practice and making sure we’re able to fix the mistakes we made and get a little bit better every day.”
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Camren Davis growing into leader in Johnstown Johnnies defense
