Story
Adam Johnson helps John I. Leonard upset Royal Palm Beach
Thursday, September 06, 2012
by
Matt Porter
John I. Leonard quarterback Adam Johnson put on a show for most of Thursday's matchup against fifth-ranked Royal Palm Beach. While his quarterback counterpart, Wildcats senior Ant McGrew, nearly had the final word, Johnson and the Lancers scored a 21-16 upset at home.
Johnson completed 12-of-26 passes for 216 yards and ran for two touchdowns. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 43-yard strike to sophomore Tavares Martin that proved to be the winning score.
The Lancers (2-0), who stunned Royal Palm a year ago on the road, proved their early success is no fluke. Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior, showed he belongs with the best signal-callers in the area.
"He's a real quarterback," Martin said. "He proved to the county that he can lead the team with the weapons he has. We never doubted him."
McGrew showed his talent as well. Trying to mount a five-point comeback with 4:20 left, he went 5-of-6 on a 78-yard drive in the final 4:20.
His last pass was an overthrown, fourth-down fade to the end zone, letting the Lancers take over with seconds remaining, sealing the upset in a game that was delayed 45 minutes because of lightning.
The Lancers, who put up 76 points and allowed none in a kickoff classic against Martin County and a season-opening win against Jupiter, won another game without head coach Wayne Monroe.
Monroe, who shattered his elbow in an accident at school Aug. 24, had elbow replacement surgery Thursday and stayed overnight at an area hospital.
"We dedicated this win to him," Leonard acting coach Lou Gaudio said.
Johnson rushed 17 times for 68 yards, including 5- and 1-yard touchdown runs. But his mobility was of most use when he danced around Royal Palm's stout defense, extending plays and using his strong arm to hit receivers downfield.
Martin, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore, dropped three passes - Lancers receivers dropped five in total - but made up for it by sneaking behind coverage and hauling in a strike from Johnson with 4:25 left. He finished with five catches for 115 yards.
"I just put it in my head I had to make up for it," Martin said.
"Coach told me, 'T, that's what you do in practice. You make those type of catches.' "
Aside from the drops, penalties hurt the Lancers, who had 11 flags for 125 yards.
For Royal Palm, McGrew finished 10-of-15 for 115 yards. He threw a first-quarter TD pass to senior JoJo Williams and rushed for a 24-yard score in the fourth. Though he shined on the final drive, John I. had a little more.
Linebacker Edens Merius sacked McGrew for a loss of 5 on first down, and the Wildcats couldn't punch it in.
"Now," said ESPN 760 radio analyst Doug Socha, who coaches the upstart program at Oxbridge Academy, "can they handle it? Can they come back Monday and practice with a purpose?"
That's a question the Lancers can't wait to answer.
John I. Leonard quarterback Adam Johnson runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game Thursday night.
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User Comments:
rpb fan commented on September 7, 2012 at 12:16 a.m.: report abuse
Congrats john I much respect Rpb nice way to fight to the end two good teams gave it all tonight but Adam Johnson as a Rob parent is the best qb I have seen in a while to come out this county wow kid keep it up
Loud Mouth RPB commented on September 7, 2012 at 6:18 a.m.: report abuse
This can't be the RPB that been running their mouths on these blogs. Maybe you guys will stop and be humble now.
anonymous commented on September 7, 2012 at 7:45 a.m.: report abuse
Smh, RPB been on these blogs braggin bout how they gonna beat Glades, n look they lose too
ATL commented on September 7, 2012 at 7:45 a.m.: report abuse
Im suprised it wasnt worse if johni stayed in the air. the pressure was light the qb had time on every play and once the four or five kids that go bouth ways were gassed it seemed effort less for jonhi.the qb for jonhi stayed back then inched up in the pocket waited for line backers(rpb) to drop coverage or go to the ground then run for five or ten or pass for 30 yards looked easy for them liked they studied (rpb) who maybe wiil go 500 this season by the way Atlantic gonna kick your butts cant wait to push your little linbackers all over and yes the run there mouths
Need To Give Another Coach A Shot commented on September 7, 2012 at 8:13 a.m.: report abuse
We need to give Coach Dangerfield a chance at head coach! He knows how to make this team work.
not so fast commented on September 7, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.: report abuse
is RBP trying to save money on laundry when they left field going by are stands more than half the kids still were as clean as they started. they should have two piles of uniforms one for there loud mouth worn out show boaters and the dedicated not respected hard workers just because some one is a senior doesnt mean there good go LANCERS 3-0 whooya
not so fast commented on September 7, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.: report abuse
is RBP trying to save money on laundry when they left field going by are stands more than half the kids still were as clean as they started. they should have two piles of uniforms one for there loud mouth worn out show boaters and the dedicated not respected hard workers just because some one is a senior doesnt mean there good go LANCERS 3-0 whooya
Wildcats mom commented on September 7, 2012 at 8:56 a.m.: report abuse
Great game lastnight to my Wildcats! Keep your heads up and continue to stay focused the VICTORY will be yours in the end. You boys are a GREAT team , very talented and have alot of heart and love for each other and the game. The fight is not OVER we lose and win some its called LIFE, on to the next game. Oh and most you ppl with your negative comments can SHUT UP. WILDCATS ALL THE WAY!
Riviera Beach commented on September 7, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.: report abuse
Well I brought my popcorn and what I saw was a very dangerous John I. Leonard team. This game wasn't as close as the score indicated. John I. controlled most of this game. RPB had no pass rush and JIL seemed to get 5 yards a carry. Adam Johnson looked like Vick making RPB defenders whiff on tackles in the backfield. As for RPB, they have talent. IMO they are not coached very well. Bueno, this is not American Heritage. You have alot more atheletes. You don't need to run that gimmick offense. Also all this talk about there rushing attack? Ant McGrew was the best running back last night. Zeke seems to be the best offensive weapon but didn't play alot of O. He seemed a threat to break one every time he touched the ball. In the end it seemed like RPB was feeling themselves a little too much and John I. just wanted it more.
Maine West commented on September 7, 2012 at 9:38 a.m.: report abuse
I want to give props to John I for the win. The team had a good plan going in to the game keep a high power offense from putting alot of points on the board. Also, to be able to win the game at the end. So, we did have a chance at the end ,however we did not score .......bottom line we lose the game!!! Changes will be made for the future to help improve the team. Wildcat keep your head up and to ATL we did score!! When the time come in 7A we will be ready. The Wildcat are still number # 1 to me. Thanks to the Coaches of Royal Palm Beach you guys are doing a great job.
@MaineWest commented on September 7, 2012 at 10:10 a.m.: report abuse
What high power offense?
Who's the better QB?
Why all the taunting?
Maine West commented on September 7, 2012 at 1:57 p.m.: report abuse
Zeke is a great player and this will be his break out year!!! @ Riviera Beach you are one of the realist on here!!! But, the Coaches did a great job in this game. The game was lost on the last serious of the game and that is all you can ask for. Which is control of the game in the final minute of the game. So if Joe Joe makes the caught we good and a great team. So , since he did not we are dis and that. But, we will regroup from this game. We got Palm Beach Central next.
@Maine West commented on September 7, 2012 at 2:19 p.m.: report abuse
are you Zeke's mom or dad ? "great" player ??? not in this offense. it's all Ant and Demarc
glades central commented on September 7, 2012 at 2:34 p.m.: report abuse
royal palm suck they will never be elite 6time state champions haha yall bragged about a kickoff classic game and couldnt beat john i leonard yall suck and dwyer gone blow yall out
Maine West commented on September 7, 2012 at 5:21 p.m.: report abuse
The season is not over so remember that!!!
Maine West commented on September 7, 2012 at 9:48 p.m.: report abuse
I agree!!!!!
Louis Vuitton Handbag commented on September 11, 2012 at 4:51 a.m.: report abuse
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