Northwest Missourian

Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Community Sports

Media Credit: Seth Cook JUNIOR LINEBACKER EVAN Johnson prepares to chase down a Plattsburg ballcarrier. Johnson leads the team in tackles with 72.5 and sacks with 5.5. He's had this success despite playing his first year of football in three years. [Click to enlarge]

On a team led by a high-octane offense, a stalky, shaggy-haired former soccer player solidifies the middle of the MEC's best defense.

Maryville junior linebacker Evan Johnson leads the Spoofhounds with 72.5 tackles in his first season playing football since middle school. He also has a team-leading 5.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for losses, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception.

The interception helped solidify an early season win over Benton with the score 14-0 and Benton attempting to get back in the game.

After his eighth grade season, Johnson called Maryville head soccer coach Stuart Collins and left the gridiron for the pitch.

On their first meeting, Maryville soccer coach Stuart Collins met someone he wasn't quite expecting.

"I had no idea who he was," Collins said. "When he showed up I was surprised. I wasn't looking for a freshman that looked like he could be a college junior."

Maryville head football coach Chris Holt, who also coaches Johnson in track, tried to persuade Johnson back into a helmet and shoulder pads during his freshman and sophomore years, but was unsuccessful.

Johnson played as a defender for the 'Hound soccer team for two years, starting on the varsity team as a sophomore. When the first day of practice came around this year, Collins realized he was missing his lone returning defender.

"He just didn't show up," Collins said. " I asked some of the boys and they said he was playing football this year."

Johnson had returned to the football field where he would try to fill a hole left by departed seniors in the linebacking corp.

Continued...

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