Aaron Johnson looks to put the pieces together for his senior year @DoresFootball, @PCCHSFootball, @KyHighFootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans

Cassi Maggard Photography

’26 QB showed signs of progress over Junior year

Aaron “AD” Johnson (6’2.5,” 164) is a quarterback with moxie and a considerably lithe arm. He had some fine moments over the course of his junior season under center, among the finest of which came in the “Honey Bowl” where he both led the team to victory and picked up an offensive MVP plaque. We like this player considerably and believe he will have a real breakout season over his upcoming senior year.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Hazard, KY: The late famous football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant had a running back at Texas A&M of whom he was particularly fond. His name was John David Crowe.

Bear once famously quipped about Crowe that if they didn’t award him the Heisman, in 1957, they ought to just discontinue the award. This quote isn’t verbatim but you get the gist.

Scott Warren, Photographer
Bell County’s Jaxson Pratt chased Perry Central

quarterback Aaron Johnson this past season.
Bell won 28-12.

Yet, this quote isn’t our favorite quote about Crowe. Another time, Bear Bryant was describing what made John David Crowe, John David Crowe. Bryant told reporters, If you need six yards, Crowe will get you seven.

That is the attribute we have always remembered about a RB who is on the “Mount Rushmore” of former A&M Aggies. We call this “being a football player,” and it is a difficult characteristic to quantify, but one not too hard to recognize.

We believe AD Johnson, Aaron Johnson to the unfamiliar, has some of those same characteristics. Johnson is a winner. He makes teams better by his aligning under center.

We saw some of this in the “Honey Bowl,” last year, in Jackson, Kentucky (Breathitt County).

In a 52-35 slugfest, Johnson was efficient if not down-right spectacular. Johnson completed 75% of his passing attempts on the night, didn’t throw a single interception, and tossed a TD pass while running for another score.

That was Johnson all season. Efficient if not flashy; effective nevertheless.

AD Johnson was the offensive MVP of the ’24 Honey Bowl

Friday Night Fletch

John David Crowe had those same characteristics. The type guy who gets you seven when the team needs six.

Now, Coach Dixon and his Commodores had a down season. They have many key components returning and we believe the Commodores will be a much, much better team in ’25.

This belief is well founded. After all, they are coached by a championship caliber head man who has won, and won sizably, everywhere he has been.

That aside, at the center of our belief in the Dores’ chances in ’25, is the return of a mature, steady, and efficient performer at the all-important QB slot. Chief among the rosy prospects for this team is a QB who will go get you seven yards when you need six.

If you doubt any of this, go ask those “Honey Bowl” people. They’ll tell you, really fast.

This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!

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About Fletcher Long 1675 Articles
Two-time winner of Kentucky Press Association awards for excellence in writing and reporting news stories while Managing Editor of the Jackson (KY) Times-Voice

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