MIKE BROWN: Salem’s Jackson Johnson added to North-South Classic roster
He was one of the top quarterbacks in northeastern Ohio the past three seasons and now he’ll be playing in the prestigious North-South All-Star Classic.
Salem High School’s graduating signal-caller Jackson Johnson has been added to the North roster for the prestigious North-South game which will be played April 29 at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
The Division I-III contest will kick off at noon, while the Division IV-VII contest, which Johnson will be playing, is set for 4 p.m.
How Jackson Johnson is a difference-maker
Whether Johnson plays quarterback or is in the defensive backfield for the North-South game, he’s a difference-maker.
I’ve gotten the chance to cover Salem’s football games during Johnson’s career and he’s an electrifying player to watch.
He’s broken nearly every passing record at Salem and is also a dangerous runner outside the pocket.
He’s also like a coach on the field. Johnson’s goal is to be a college football coach someday and he’s gotten off to a great start by calling Salem’s offensive plays the past two seasons. That’s how much confidence his father, Ron Johnson, Salem’s football coach and the former head coach at Canton McKinley, has in his son.
Johnson was part of an incredible trio of quarterbacks from the Eastern Buckeye Conference this past season. The threesome of Johnson, West Branch’s Dru DeShields (signed at Kent State) and Alliance junior Brendan Zurbrugg (many Mid-American Conference offers) combined to throw for over 9,000 yards last autumn.
Johnson will be announcing his college selection later this spring.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Get the latest Mahoning Valley news in your email inbox weekday mornings. Sign up here for our free daily newsletter.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here’s how you can support Mahoning Matters.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Mahoning Matters on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.