Seniors set Johnstown up for return to prominence
JOHNSTOWN — Facing another daunting early-season schedule filled with bigger schools, coach Mike Carter kept reiterating his belief in this Johnstown football team.
When the Johnnies themselves believed it, they took the program back into championship contention. After starting 1-4 following consecutive seasons of 0-5 starts, Johnstown a month later was playing for a Licking County League-Cardinal Division crown.
“In years past, we have had a lot of people on the team quit and people not wanting to keep on going,” senior linebacker Jacob Myers said. “With a losing record in the second half and to get rolling, we never gave up. That was a big key to it.”
Johnstown (5-5, 4-1) ultimately fell short last Friday in a 54-21 loss at Heath. The Johnnies saw their season come to an end, finishing just a spot out of the Division IV playoffs.
What the Johnnies accomplished in a four-game winning streak, however, should provide momentum going into the 2024 season. As importantly, it was how the Johnnies went about their business, asking coach Mike Carter and his staff to go harder as backing off was never an option.
“I am proud of them with the way they’ve led and the way they’ve worked,” Carter said. “Nobody can ever take that away from them. They set things up for the future and shown kids how to stick tight as a team and be a role model and how to push themselves to become a championship team.”
Another small senior class walked off the field for the last time Friday, but it certainly is a class that left its mark.
Kaynen Lindsey made the most of his one opportunity to add his name to the list of great Johnstown running backs. He piled up 1,668 yards and 19 TDs, running with juniors Sam Marasek and Nana Owusu behind a line with just one senior — tackle Brody Thompson.
“Through the ups and downs, Johnstown football has always been more than just football,” Lindsey posted on social media following the game. “It’s a true brotherhood and teaches you the little important things in life and to take nothing for granted.”
The senior season was about passing down knowledge for Myers and senior defensive end McKaden Thomas. Myers played through injury to team with junior Camren Davis at inside linebacker.
“Camren Davis is right beside me, and I like showing him what it’s all about on Friday nights and what kind of mentality he should have,” Myers said.
Juniors Jacob Hochanadel and Evan Smith will combine with Davis next season to give the Johnnies a stout linebacking corps.
Thomas and classmate Levi Osborne led Johnstown’s defensive charge up front. Thomas also took sophomore Erik Marohl under his wing as Marohl, the Johnnies’ sack leader, could be the program’s next havoc-wreaking defensive end.
“(Marohl) has put on a lot of good moves,” Thomas said. “That is one thing he always comes up to me and asks, ‘What moves can I use during the game?’ He still has two more seasons after this, so I teach him the moves, and it’s definitely working. He’s played really well.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Seniors set Johnstown Johnnies football up for return to prominence
