ANDERSON — Meet Isaiah Johnson.
Highland’s junior running back announced his presence with authority last week in his first varsity start.
“Lawrence (Cotton) hurt his knee during the week and didn’t get to practice the whole week,” Scots head coach Randy Albano said. “We started Isaiah, and he took advantage of it. He played really well. He ran the ball well.”
Johnson, playing just his fourth game of the season, rushed for 294 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in a 36-6 dismantling of Greenfield-Central.
The win came just a week after Highland fell 49-23 to rival Pendleton Heights, the Cougars’ Hoosier Heritage Conference compatriot.
Johnson had a simple explanation for the vast turnaround.
“We didn’t play good against Pendleton,” he said.
The Scots needed last week’s performance for a number of reasons.
Highland hadn’t put together a truly impressive outing since a thrilling 49-41 victory against then-Class 2A No. 1 Heritage Christian on Sept. 4.
A 27-20 victory at Olympic Athletic Conference rival Jay County followed, and the Scots split the final six games of the regular season.
They entered the sectional with two losses in their previous three games, and the defense seemed to be of particular concern.
“(Big plays) have been our problem all year,” Albano said. “Most of the scores against us have come on big plays.”
Highland avoided allowing the quick strikes against Greenfield, and it will look to make Mount Vernon earn each yard tonight.
The Marauders are the opponent in the second round of the sectional at Anderson University’s Machholtz Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Scots moved the opening round game to AU as well because of the field conditions at Highland Stadium.
Recent rains have severely damaged the playability of Highland’s home field.
As recently as Wednesday, standing water near midfield made it impossible for the Scots to practice there.
AU’s synthetic turf can take up to 13 inches of rain, and that could be tested tonight.
Heavy showers are in the forecast, but Albano said he doesn’t expect the weather to affect the playing surface.
It rained at times during the win against Greenfield, and the field more than held its own.
“I think it gives us the opportunity to play on a dry field,” Albano said. “That increases your quickness. On a muddy field, your quickness is diminished quite a bit. The team that is not as quick is at an advantage in the mud.”
The Scots believe they are the quicker team tonight.
Mount Vernon relies on a beefy offensive line and a power running game to control the ball.
“They’re a Wing-T team,” Albano said. “They’re going to run the football and come right at you. They have some speed, and their quarterback has a nice arm. They’re a well-rounded football team.”
Highland is hoping to counter with an eclectic rushing attack that seems even more dangerous with Johnson fully in the fold.
Fullback Jordan Segner, a bruising runner who also is one of the area’s best linebackers, leads Highland with 818 rushing yards on 92 carries.
Cotton, a member of the Scots’ state finalist 400-meter relay team this spring, has 750 yards on 110 carries.
Derrick Hill, the state runner-up in the high jump and the team’s top receiving threat, has 617 yards on 55 carries.
Johnson has run for 588 yards on 39 carries.
One sign of his explosiveness? He’s averaging 15.1 yards per attempt.
“We’ve always felt he was a special back,” Albano said.
The first round of the sectional isn’t an ideal spot for a player’s first varsity start.
But Johnson shrugged off the pressure.
“I just relaxed and let my skills take over for me,” he said.
Those skills include an explosive initial burst and the patience to hit the right hole.
“He just slices right through it,” Albano said, running his hand along a straight line to demonstrate Johnson’s acceleration through the line of scrimmage.
Johnson said the people up front make the offense even more potent.
“Our linemen did a really nice job blocking, holding their man up (Friday),” he said. “I just found the crease and got through.”
Last week’s win gave the Scots back a sense of confidence.
A win tonight would allow Highland to play next week for its first sectional title since 1983.
But that’s not what the Scots are focusing on.
Albano has simplified the game plan, allowing his players to rely more on their instincts and athleticism.
The goal is to eliminate as much guesswork as possible and just let the players play.
“The kids had fun (last) Friday night,” Albano said. “We let them play, and that worked out for us. If we have the intensity and the fun we did last Friday, it’s going to be a good game for us I think.”
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