Jack Rutz On Johnston’s Win Over Dowling: ‘Unforgettable Moment’
Jack Rutz Jack Rutz 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Johnston | 2022 State IA enjoyed every single minute of Johnston’s upset of No. 1 (Class 4A) and seven-time defending state champion West Des Moines Dowling Friday night. Rutz and…
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Continue ReadingJack Rutz Jack Rutz 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Johnston | 2022 State IA enjoyed every single minute of Johnston’s upset of No. 1 (Class 4A) and seven-time defending state champion West Des Moines Dowling Friday night.
Rutz and the Dragons left the state in shock with their 18-15 victory over the Maroons, improving to 2-1 on the season.
“It was an unforgettable moment,” Rutz said. “I will never forget it. They were a good team and our defense played lights out.”
Johnston picked three passes and held Dowling to 82 yards rushing on 24 carries, limiting them to just two touchdowns. The Dragons also did not commit a turnover.
Rutz completed five passes for 43 yards and added 63 yards rushing with a touchdown. Johnston had 147 yards on 40 carries, controlling the tempo of the game.
“It was a great moment to share with our team and community,” Rutz said. “It has always been in the back of our minds this might be our last game, so we have to give it everything we have and maybe we’ll get another.”
After a tough 50-34 loss to Urbandale in Week 1, Johnston rebounded with a 42-8 victory over Des Moines Lincoln at home last week. They followed that up with the upset of Dowling and will get a third consecutive home game against Ankeny Centennial next Friday night.
The Dragons are scheduled to conclude the season at Waukee, Ankeny and Southeast Polk. If that happens, they will have been put to the test against the elite of 4A and should definitely be postseason-ready.
“We are focused on our next opponent and getting better every day,” Rutz said. “It was a good win, but now it’s time to move forward and keep rolling.”
Rutz, a Class of 2022 prospect, has completed 34 of 69 passes for 516 yards with five touchdowns. He also has 131 yards rushing and three scores while handling punting duties for Johnston.
In the win over Urbandale, Rutz completed 17 of 39 for 308 yards with three touchdowns to go along with 58 yards and two scores on the ground.
“Some coaches have reached out to me such as Grand View, North Dakota State and Toledo,” he said. “I plan on trying to play football in college if the opportunity presents itself.”
As a sophomore, Rutz threw for 326 yards with two TDs, adding 50 yards and a score on the ground while sharing quarterback duties. He also averaged over 36 yards per punt.
Rutz showed in the win over Dowling that he has the skills and leadership to be a big-time player. His dual-threat abilities make him hard to contain in the pocket, and Johnston has solid targets around him to open up the field.