South Georgia - In The Game High School Sports Magazine

Carlos Johnson

Carlos Johnson is an eighth grader at C. A. Gray Middle School in Moultrie, Georgia, and is definitely an athlete to watch out for. Johnson has been playing football since he was just five years old, and if it is up to him, he will be playing for many years to come.

Flag football started his love of the game, and it was obvious that Johnson had a knack for the running back position. His mother, Cassandra, was reluctant to let him play at first, though. “He was just so small!” she explains. Once on the field, however, Johnson did ‘wonderful things’, and proved to be a good sport and asset to his team.

In the sixth grade Johnson was a starting defensive back, and his most memorable moment in football stems from that year. Playing Valdosta Middle School, Johnson went under an opponent going for a touchdown pass, causing the player to fumble and give up possession of the ball. That game saving turnover sticks out in Johnson’s mind still today.

Last year Johnson played on both sides of the ball, in both the linebacker and running back positions. He even made a kick return for a touchdown in another game against Valdosta Middle.

According to Cassandra, Johnson “is a very good participator, goes to practice, listens, and the coaches love him.” Johnson is known for his speed on the field and he looks up to his big brother, Darryl, who plays football in North Carolina and shares the same positions as Johnson, for inspiration and encouragement.

Johnson knew early on that he wanted to play football, but today he enjoys being on the basketball and track teams as well. As a starting point guard on the basketball team, they placed 2nd in the middle school championships last year. His track record is another impressive element of this athlete’s ability, and two years ago placed first in the region for the 800 meter.  He is unsure of continuing track this year, though, and is actually considering trying out for the baseball team although he has never played before.

In the past few years Johnson has been on the field in a variety of positions, ranging from running back and linebacker to being a part of the kickoff and kick return teams.  In his last and final year of middle school ball, Johnson will be the starting running back for the 2008 football season, as his favorite aspects of the game are running the ball and scoring touchdowns.

He and his fellow teammates practice a lot, and mostly during the off season Johnson conditions by working out at the YMCA or running every other day on a trail with a friend. “I do pushups every now and then,” Johnson admits, but also says that he tries to stay strong in other ways. Power cleans are his favorite way to workout, because they “work every muscle in your body.” At almost 140 pounds, Johnson already power cleans more than his body weight, and he’s only beginning his football career.

When the season begins, the team practices every day for two hours, with games on Thursdays at five o’clock. Johnson listens to music to prepare for the game, and enjoys helping his team get “hyped” for the night.

Johnson has big plans for the upcoming season, because he says he “feels good about the team.”  Admitting that middle school ball is different from recreational football, Johnson struggles with not knowing your opponent’s skill level. “With rec ball you know everyone and how they play, but playing different schools leaves a lot to wonder about.”  He is still confident, though, and with some experience under his belt he knows what to expect from now on. “The hardest thing is going without breaks,” Johnson laughs.

• Food – Hot Wings
• Tv show –BET
• Music – Hip Hop/R&B
• Artist – Chris Brown
• Movie – Home Alone
• Athlete – Peyton Manning
• Team – Colts
• Subject – Math
• Sport to watch – College Football
• Place to go – Wild Adventures

Unlike your typical eighth grader, Johnson enjoys school and tries to keep his grades up year round. Mostly studying on his own, he tries to maintain at least a B average, which is impressive because he has this mindset without any outside motivation.

Johnson is remarkable for many reasons, but more than anything he has an enormous amount of faith in himself and in his team. “I think we can do much better this year,” Johnson insists. Johnson dreams of going to college and playing football, with prospects like Louisiana State University and the University of Georgia, and if he maintains the mentality that he possesses in the eighth grade, that dream will be realized in just five short years. •