2023 Preview: CA Johnson Green Hornets
CA Johnson has found success in back-to-back seasons and coach Scotty Dean expects that trend to continue – if the Green Hornets can stay healthy. The past two seasons have been somewhat successful given the recent past of the CA…
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Continue ReadingCA Johnson has found success in back-to-back seasons and coach Scotty Dean expects that trend to continue – if the Green Hornets can stay healthy.
The past two seasons have been somewhat successful given the recent past of the CA Johnson program. They won six games in 2021 and a playoff game. Last season, they improved to 7-5 overall and again won a playoff game. The previous seven years, they won a combined 15 games.
Whatever the Green Hornets accomplish this fall, a lot of it will depend on the play of Caleb Pearson Caleb Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH CA Johnson | 2024 State SC , the Region 3-A Player of the Year last season. He made the move from defense to quarterback, and it seemed like a natural transition.
He ran for over 1,800 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He needs to become a better passer this season. Pearson will likely be on the field most of every game. He is playing cornerback again. His feature is at defensive back, but he will handle a variety of roles for CA Johnson.
“Pearson is a pretty doggone good player,” Dean said. “He does so many things for us, and it will be vital we keep him healthy. The next goal is to win a region championship. If we can keep No. 3 (Pearson) on the field, I think we have a great chance to make that happen.”
Dean likes this group of players and thinks if they can stay healthy, it will come down to a showdown with Lewisville for the region crown.
STARS SET TO SHINE
Jaylin Miller, FS, 2025 – Miller is an aggressive safety that doesn’t mind coming up to assist in the run defense. He is also adept at playing the deep ball. He had 40 tackles and three interceptions last season.
Angel Valez-Vann DL, 2025 – Valez-Vann was a huge part of the defense last season when he finished with 22 tackles. He’s a year bigger and stronger and will be on the field more than he was as a sophomore.
Emanuel Davis OL, 2025 – The ground game is what made the Green Hornets move last season and Davis could make that happen again. He’s 5-foot-10 and 270 pounds and will mix it up along the line scrimmage. The Green Hornets ran for over 3,000 yards as a team last season.
Tyshon Grimes SS, 2025 – Grimes only played in just over half the games last season and finished with 21 tackles in his brief time. But he is back and ready to have a breakout junior campaign.
FILM REVIEW
Keivonte Bates CB/RB 2025 – Bates (pictured) was a mainstay in the secondary last season where he showed great closing speed and solid open-field tackling. He had 38 tackles. He’s going to be the main running back this season and he’s already shown flashes. As a track guy, he should fit nicely in the Green Hornets attack.
BIGGEST LOSSES
Dawan Rice RB – Rice was a 1,100-yard rusher that scored 19 touchdowns. He took a lot of the pressure off Pearson in the ground attack.
Terrill Hopkins LB/WR – Hopkins made the North-South Game last year after registering 86 tackles and being one of Pearson’s top receiving targets.
UP AND COMING POTENTIAL
Samuel Farmer TE/OLB, 2026 – Farmer saw playing time as a freshman and that should pay off this season. He’s more experienced and has learned the concepts better.
Jeremiah Johnson OL/DL, 2026 – Another guy that saw varsity playing time as a freshman, Johnson will be counted on both lines of scrimmage this fall. He’s around 250 pounds now and the year of experience will help.
Kwame Brooks DL, 2027 – Dean has proven he isn’t afraid to play younger players if they warrant it and Brooks could be a breakout star sooner rather than later. He’s likely to see ample playing time this season but will be a force the next three.Jamel Mitchell LB, 2027 – Mitchell is expected to see playing time on defense and he will contribute on special teams. Dean likes what he’s seen from the youngster so far.