By KEVIN MOBLEY – Web Writer
Clarke Central High School senior quarterback Cameron Johnson has grown into his role as leader of the Gladiator varsity football team, and looks forward to the matchup against Gainesville High School on Oct. 18.
What was your first impression of Cameron?
CCHS head football coach Ahren Self: He was very quiet, didn’t talk very much. I knew he had the potential to be a good player, I was just wondering how much he was going to develop and grow physically. He’s gone beyond what I thought he would do.
Looking back on his career, what do you think his impact on the program has been?
AS: When you’ve got a quarterback that can do the things that he does on the field, know the different schemes, know what to do with the football, it makes a tremendous impact on the program. You almost have a coach out there on the field.
How do you think he handles himself off the field?
AS: He handles himself greatly. He has great grades, he models himself as an adult and demonstrates adult qualities. He’s just exemplary off the field, as well as on the field.
What is it like to have your mom work at the school here as a teacher and coach at the high school level?
Cameron Johnson: It’s actually a good thing. Most people wouldn’t want their parents to work in the school system, but for me it’s the best thing that’s happened. Her being a basketball coach, she teaches her players every day about discipline, being punctual. All the life lessons that you would need to learn. She passed that to me early, and I had a supporter at school who had my back through anything. It was a great resource. I don’t mean to call my mom a resource, but it was a great thing to have.
How has she affected your work ethic and values?
CJ: She doesn’t expect anything but my best. She only wants great things from me. She’s always pushing me to do better. After the game, she’ll be the first to come up to me, whether I had a great game or a bad game, and she’ll tell me what I need to work on before she gives me any praise. She’s definitely always pushing me, giving good criticism and it’s always a good thing because it’s only making me better.
What was the transition from middle school to high school like?
CJ: It was scary. I was known, everybody knew me, but high school is just a bigger pond. I’m not a big fish anymore. It was a big transition.
What was your reaction to being named the starting quarterback as a sophomore?
CJ: I was shocked. I was hoping to get it, I was working hard to get it but there were upperclassmen in front of me that had more experience. I felt uneasy about it, but I knew I had been working for it. When I got called for the job, I was excited. My first game was against Cedar Shoals. It was unbelievable.
Describe that first game against Cedar Shoals High School.
CJ: I looked up, I saw the crowd and everybody was screaming. You couldn’t see anything but people in red and gold shirts, blue and orange on the other side. It was something that I had to stop and smell the roses for a second. Working for that starting spot, trying to get it and I just said “let me take it all in.”
Were there any upperclassmen in particular that you looked up to?
CJ: Quenshaun Watson – ‘Que’ – was my best friend, motivated me, said whatever needed to be said to get me in the game. Whatever it took to calm me down, he would sit down and talk with me. He was a down-to-earth person, and the best person I could’ve had at that time. He took a load of me, running it 52 times in a game to take pressure off me. When the safeties were coming down, I had an easy pass and it made it look like I did something when all the time it was just him.
How did you feel about your performance last year?
CJ: It definitely wasn’t as good as my sophomore year. I wouldn’t say I fell off; I had good times and bad times. Last year, I had some injuries, but now I can only learn from there and do better.
What was it like for head coach Leroy Ryals to have to move on this past off-season?
CJ: Definitely hard, definitely hard. It’s not easy for me. He’s a father figure to me, and to most, as a coach, but for me a little more. To see him leave and know that I can’t go talk with him, physically, or just touch him and give him a hug… it was hard emotionally, but at the end of the day he told me “I have to move on. There will be a new coach. This is still your team. Nothing has changed.” I’m still playing football, I’m still doing what I love to do and he’s still going to be in touch. I think he wanted me to be strong, push past it and know that it’s not the end of the world.
Is there a particular game this season that you’ve marked on your calendar?
CJ: Gainesville, by far. That’s the biggest fish. State champions; they have the No. 1 quarterback in the country. That’s going to be a big challenge. I’m trying to become where (Watson) is now, trying to be the No. 1 quarterback. If he has that spot then I know what I have to do. That’s by far the biggest game.
What do you think it’ll take to win that game?
CJ: It’ll take us doing our job, doing what the coaches say, going full speed; no relaxing. If we relax, they’re the type of caliber team that’ll punish you if you relax, for even one play. Last year, we were up 21-7 going into the half. We relaxed, we let up on the gas and they’re the type of team that’ll make you pay. What it takes is a strong mind. We know they’re going to score. They’re state champs. We know that they’re capable of beating everybody in the state of Georgia. I know that we’re physically ready, we have to stay mentally strong, mentally tough and know that we’re going to throw some blows, they’re going to throw some blows, but we have to bounce back.
Do you have anything in particular that motivates you?
CJ: As far as football goes, it’s Deshaun Watson, best quarterback. I’m trying to get where he’s at now, he’s definitely a big motivator. I come out to practice every day trying to work just as hard, if not harder, as he is.
What’s your impression of Deshaun?
CJ: I’ve known Deshaun, we played with the same AAU team, the Georgia Kings. He was a great player then, and he’s a great player now. I just didn’t know how good at football he was until his name starts popping up everywhere. I know that he’s a great guy, some people say we look alike. I have nothing against him, I just know he’s the one that’s pushing me. He’s a great competitor.
What do you think is in store for Cameron in the future? Have any colleges made contact with you about him as a prospect?
AS: I’ve gotten several inquiries about him playing in college, and I know he’s going to have a great future because he’s going to have offers in football and basketball. He’s got a great opportunity, it’s going to be his decision.
