Panthers adjusting to dual-threat QB

Mt. Pleasant - The Mt. Pleasant football team had one of the most deadly offenses around in 2019, partially due to the rocket arm of one-year starter Brody Bender. Bender's graduation left a spot open at quarterback, and that spot has been grabbed by senior Jack Johnson, who did his work at the running back position last year.

In 2020, the Panthers will be adjusting to a more dual-threat style, as Johnson will bring his speed behind center, while also showing off an arm that didn't get much practice last year.

Johnson ran for just under 700 years last year, topping out at 690 total, and found the end zone seven times on the ground and twice in the pass-catching game. he was second on the team in rushing yards and the team's third-leading receiver.

'I think it makes us more diverse, having a running quarterback,” Johnson says. 'We've also got three senior running backs this year, and three returning wide receivers, so I think we're going to be a deadly offense, and of course we've got that offensive line.”

A big group of returners gives Johnson plenty of targets to throw to. Returning in the pass-catching game are senior wide receivers Chase Wiliamson and Brevin Wilson, along with senior tight end Brenen Bender.

Wiliamson was the team's second-leading receiver last season, catching 23 balls for 478 yards and five touchdowns. He says he's ready to adjust his game for the new man at the helm.

'I believe in JJ,” Williamson says. 'I know he likes to run a lot, so I need to start to learn to block a lot more. I know he'll run on a pass play, so I've just got to learn to go find somebody to block.”

Between Williamson, Wilson and Bender, the Panthers return over 650 yards in receiving, to go along with 10 touchdown catches.

'I feel like we'll be very good,” Williamson says. 'We've got a lot of speed and talent in the receiving core.”

Along with that group, senior Brady Hall will be looking to step up for the group. Both Johnson and Williamson mentioned their fellow senior, among others, as key components to the new-look offense.

While Johnson was able to show off what he could do on the ground last season, he didn't get many chances to throw the ball. Johnson's lone pass attempt came on the last play of the season, when he launched the ball deep on a halfback pass in an attempt to stun Washington. The Demons picked the ball off, and the Panthers fell 64-61.

'We seniors take that personally,” Williamson says. 'That's why we're out here working so hard, because we don't want that same thing to happen in (the Washington) game, or any other game.”

Johnson will have big shoes to fill at the QB position. Bender threw for 1,624 yards last year, and went for 21 passing touchdowns compared to five interceptions. Johnson says having a senior-led group to throw to give him a boost of confidence when it comes to throwing the ball.

'It helps a lot having that experience,” Johnson says. 'I think we're going to throw the ball a lot more than people think.”

Johnson will be able to work behind a highly-touted offensive line. Cooper Pullis, one of three returning offensive linemen from last season, says the group up front is prepared to scramble when Johnson takes off.

'We have a go-to word, and when he says it, we know we've got to start run blocking instead of pass blocking,” Pullis says.

Pullis also spoke toward Johnson's ability to throw the ball. He, like others, expects Mt. Pleasant to sling the rock more than expected.

'We know he can run, but a lot of people underrate him as a passer,” Pullis says. 'He can pass too, we've just got to give him time.”

Johnson says he's confident that the offensive line will be ready when the first game comes in Week 1. The majority of offensive linemen are seniors who blocked for Johnson when he started for the freshman team three years ago.

'We played together freshman year, so they have a taste of what it is like,” Johnson says. 'They're really good linemen, so they're going to adjust to it really quickly.”

The Panthers will start their 2020 campaign in two Fridays, and they'll play the same team Bender faced in his first start as 'QB1.” Mt. Pleasant hosts Clear Creek-Amana on Friday, August 28.