MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP - Reeths-Puffer’s Brody Johnson has been an elite running back since 2021, when he broke into varsity as a talented sophomore.
But now, as a senior, he's apparently taken the next step and become a genuine game-breaking weapon.
Johnson’s ability to transform a game was obvious last Thursday at Farmington, when he rushed for a career-best 210 yards and scored five touchdowns in the Rockets’ very impressive 34-18 victory.
Two of those TD runs came from 30 and 43 yards, respectively. He also set up several of his shorter TD bursts with long runs leading up to the scores.
Johnson took his big night in stride, saying he simply wants to help the Rockets win games.
“Before this season my most was four,” Johnson said, when asked about finding the end zone five times. “I just kind of went out there and played ball. If it weren’t for our offensive line and their blocks, I wouldn’t have done so well.
“I just wanted to go out there and handle business and head home, especially with how long of a trip it was."
Johnson certainly had his share of big games and long runs last season.
His best outing came against Wyoming, when he scored four touchdowns, including one on a 62-yard run, and totaled 190 yards on the ground.
He also had 47 and 30-yard TD runs against Muskegon, and a 55-yarder against Lansing Everett.
But this year he’s ahead of his 2022 pace, with his big night last Thursday and a pair of 51-yard scoring runs against Grand Haven in Week 1.
Johnson seems like more of a threat to break away and score at any time, and that will cause opponents – starting with Mona Shores on Friday – to focus on limiting the amount of damage he does.
“Brody is starting to get to the second or third level (of the defense) and he’s making people miss,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater. “We want to make sure schematically we can get the ball into his hands. Maybe on the first few touches he won’t break loose, but maybe on the third, fourth or fifth or he will.”
Johnson admits that he likes the idea of being the focus of opponents' defensive strategies.
“I do like that feeling,” he said. “It’s probably something I will have to expect now. It doesn’t alarm me. I like the challenge. I am competitive. I’m just ready to go out there and get after it.”
Johnson seems to be the same type of runner we’ve watched for two years, combining power, speed and elusiveness for consistently good results. He gained more than 1,000 yards in his first two years of varsity and will likely do the same this season.
But he also seems a little more lethal.
One change Kater has noticed this season is Johnson’s ability to see plays develop, make good decisions and stay on his feet longer.
“His vision is probably the biggest asset he has,” the coach said. “He is now able to see the whole field, and when he makes a decision, he goes. He’s now starting to finish runs, getting into open space and getting into the end zone.”
Johnson agrees, and credits experience for improving his ability to think and go on the run.
“The fact that I’ve been playing running back for quite some time helps me see the defenses earlier,” he said. “The game does slow down a bit and it’s easier to make reads.”
One interesting part of Johnon’s performance last week was that his two longest touchdown runs came in the second half, ending Farmington’s ability to stage a rally.
While he was good the whole game, Johnson seemed to gain strength and energy as the clock wore on, instead of becoming fatigued and slowing a bit, as one might expect.
“As the defense wears down, Brody stays consistent the whole game,” Kater said. “At any time he can break off a long run. That’s really challenging to do, and it’s because of what he does off the field in terms of nutrition and sleep and weightlifting.”
Johnson said his improved game-day nutritional habits have made a big difference.
“I used to have a lot of problems with cramps and stuff,” he said. “Now I try to take care of that stuff with nutrition. A big part of my game day plan is to get enough sodium and carbs. I didn’t used to take that as seriously as I do now.”
Johnson also says it’s simply a matter of being ready to go hard for an entire game.
“No game is won at halftime,” he said. “You just have to keep going.”
