Line of succession: Vernon Panthers offensive deal with flourishing with assist from B.C. Lions stalwart

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Longtime B.C. Lions centre Angus Reid says he has by no means seen a highschool offensive lineman “with a better potential upside,” than Vernon Panthers proper deal with Mark Johnson.

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Reid, 47, is an assistant coach with the Panthers. He’s undoubtedly biased. Reid additionally performed 13 seasons within the CFL, highlighted by collaborating in a few Gray Cup wins earlier than he referred to as it quits in 2014. He’s well-versed in the subject material.

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The Panthers are a part of championship Saturday at B.C. Place, taking up Nanaimo’s John Barsby Bulldogs for the Double-A provincial finale. That’s the lead-in to the Triple-A title match-up between the Vancouver Faculty Combating Irish and North Vancouver’s Carson Graham Eagles.

“He’s an clever child who’s bodily gifted, however his actual separator is the wiring. … He’s pushed to see how good he can change into within the sport. No matter it requires, he’ll do it,” Reid stated of the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Johnson. 

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“I’ve seen numerous dominant linemen. I’ve been round rather a lot. There are larger guys. There are guys that look extra like a professional lineman from the get-go. By way of athleticism and intelligence, I haven’t seen anyone capable of do the bodily issues that he can do and know the place to go additionally. He picks up issues I haven’t coached him on but. He’ll be like, ‘It made sense. I assumed I ought to do this,’ and I’ll be like, ‘You shouldn’t understand how to try this.’ He’s a next-level man.

“Numerous occasions you’re attempting to indicate a child what he will be. Mark already wished to see what he could possibly be.”

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Johnson, 17, was named most respected participant of Double-A for his efforts on each the offensive and defensive strains and at linebacker for Vernon. There’s no file of a participant whose main offensive place was on the road beforehand successful an MVP on the senior degree on this province.

Johnson was additionally named the highest pupil athlete this season by the B.C. College Sports activities Soccer Affiliation.

Johnson, who’s in Grade 12, says that his plan is to play within the NCAA subsequent season. He’s speaking to varsities, and says he’s gotten curiosity. He didn’t provide up any names.  He’ll begin taking recruiting visits someday after this weekend, sustaining that he wished to deal with Vernon’s season first.

He began taking part in soccer in Grade 9, lining up in quite a lot of positions early on. He moved to offensive line in Grade 10, and Reid took him underneath his wing. Reid has a weight room at his house, and Johnson has change into a daily there. He has bulked up from 185 kilos initially.

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Reid moved to the realm along with his household in March 2021, and signed on to assist out with the Panthers, who’re led by head coach Sean Smith. Reid had connections to the varsity already, since his brother Malcolm is a former Vernon principal who’s now working within the district workplace.

“Angus has been an enormous mentor,” Johnson stated. “I don’t suppose I’d be right here on the degree that I’m. I don’t suppose I’d be getting as a lot consideration from universities. I’m very grateful.

“I’m buddies along with his nephews. I knew he was a CFLer. I didn’t know the sort of individual he’s. I’m glad that I received to know him.”

Reid added: “He lifts on a regular basis at my place. The enhancements are unbelievable. He’ll name me: ‘Can I come by tomorrow earlier than faculty?’ It is going to be 6:30 within the morning and it’ll be freezing out and he’ll be there.”

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Reid says that he would possibly take pleasure in teaching greater than taking part in, largely as a result of “you’re seeing children doing issues they didn’t suppose they might do initially.

“That confidence goes into the remainder of their life now,” he added.

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Vernon misplaced 36-14 to John Barsby in final yr’s semifinals, so there’s a historical past storyline at play with their recreation Saturday. John Barsby wound up shedding 45-14 to the Abbotsford’s Robert Bateman Timberwolves within the title match-up.

Vernon (10-1) is coming off a 37-8 semifinal win over the Vanderhoof’s Nechako Valley Vikings (5-3) final week at B.C. Place, whereas John Barsby (9-1) outlasted North Vancouver’s Windsor Dukes (8-3) by a 28-9 rely to advance.

The Panthers received Double-A back-to-back in 2018-19. All highschool sports activities had been referred to as off due to COVID in 2020, and in 2021 the soccer playoffs had been shifted to regional championships attributable to journey points introduced by floods throughout the province.

“Soccer is the large sport that we have now. It’s what all people comes out to on Friday nights. The college is all concerned with soccer,” stated Johnson. “We’re a really sporty faculty.”

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Vancouver Faculty (12-0) are the reigning Triple-A champions and have dominated the ranks once more this season, outscoring their opponents by a mixed 363-104 margin. That features a 41-28 win over Carson Graham at Vancouver Faculty on Oct. 7.

Carson Graham (9-2) received its semifinal final week with a 36-14 overcome Chilliwack’s GW Graham Grizzlies (9-3) at B.C. Place.

The Combating Irish beat Kelowna’s Rutland Voodoo (9-4) by a 48-7 choice final week.

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FOOTBALL FINALS

SATURDAY, B.C. PLACE

Double A junior varsity

Ballenas Whalers vs. Vernon Panthers

9 a.m.

Triple A junior varsity

South Delta Solar Devils vs. Vancouver Faculty Combating Irish

11 a.m.

Varsity all-star recreation

East vs. West

1:45 p.m.

Double A varsity

Vernon Panthers vs. John Barsby Bulldogs

4 p.m.

Triple A varsity

Carson Graham Eagles vs. Vancouver Faculty Combating Irish

7 p.m.

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