MONROE - The last time Darlington High School senior Hunter Johnson played in a football game against Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs, he suffered a broken leg that derailed the Redbirds' title hopes and wiped out most of his basketball season.
"The leg thing is not as much motivation," Johnson said. "The motivation is really what they have done to us the last two years. I think it would be nice to knock them off, get to state and have the last laugh."
Johnson, who will be a preferred walk-on at the University of Wisconsin next year, is turning in another outstanding performance for the Redbirds. He rushed for a school-record 2,365 yards and 46 touchdowns last year. Johnson has rushed for 2,009 yards and 40 touchdowns this season.
He's the target of every team's defensive game plan. Yet, Johnson is averaging 167.4 yards per game and 14.8 yards per carry.
"It's definitely a label that gets put on you," Johnson said of his college plans. "It definitely gives teams more motivation. They want to stop and beat a future Badger."
Johnson spends countless hours lifting weights and playing basketball. He credits his success to his work in the weight room and his teammates. He's not surprised by his success on the field and a second straight 2,000-yard season.
"It's something I thought I was capable of doing," Johnson said. "My goal is always to improve and get better. Coming back with so many other players, I felt like I could have a similar season."
St. Mary's Springs (12-0) is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press small school state poll. This will be the fourth time in as many years that Johnson has faced the Ledgers. He rushed for 119 yards and scored two touchdowns and had an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in last year's 39-20 loss to the Ledgers in the state championship game.
"This will definitely be our biggest test," Johnson said. "We are going to play four quarters and see what happens. There is no question why they are ranked No. 1."
In the playoffs, the Redbirds have built big leads and opposing teams have made it a priority to slow down Johnson.
"There have been more teams focusing on me," he said. "They have left our other backs open. Instead of me running for 5 yards every play, we have been giving it to our other backs for big plays. I care more about winning than any of my stats. I know what my future holds. I just want to win and get back to state. It's about whatever it takes to win on Friday."
Darlington coach Scott Zywicki sees the attributes that make Johnson a successful running back.
"It's the combination of his athletic attributes," Zywicki said. "He has speed. He runs a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash) and is 200 pounds. He has the ability to break tackles and out run people. Smaller kids bounce off of him and bigger kids can't catch him. He has that perfect blend you look for in a running back. He has the vision to make good decisions and cuts on runs."
Darlington hopes to beat St. Mary's Springs and play in its fourth straight state title game.
"It's definitely something not many people get to experience," Johnson said of playing for a state title. "I'm truly blessed to play for such a great team that has a great chance to compete and go to state every year."
"The leg thing is not as much motivation," Johnson said. "The motivation is really what they have done to us the last two years. I think it would be nice to knock them off, get to state and have the last laugh."
Johnson, who will be a preferred walk-on at the University of Wisconsin next year, is turning in another outstanding performance for the Redbirds. He rushed for a school-record 2,365 yards and 46 touchdowns last year. Johnson has rushed for 2,009 yards and 40 touchdowns this season.
He's the target of every team's defensive game plan. Yet, Johnson is averaging 167.4 yards per game and 14.8 yards per carry.
"It's definitely a label that gets put on you," Johnson said of his college plans. "It definitely gives teams more motivation. They want to stop and beat a future Badger."
Johnson spends countless hours lifting weights and playing basketball. He credits his success to his work in the weight room and his teammates. He's not surprised by his success on the field and a second straight 2,000-yard season.
"It's something I thought I was capable of doing," Johnson said. "My goal is always to improve and get better. Coming back with so many other players, I felt like I could have a similar season."
St. Mary's Springs (12-0) is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press small school state poll. This will be the fourth time in as many years that Johnson has faced the Ledgers. He rushed for 119 yards and scored two touchdowns and had an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in last year's 39-20 loss to the Ledgers in the state championship game.
"This will definitely be our biggest test," Johnson said. "We are going to play four quarters and see what happens. There is no question why they are ranked No. 1."
In the playoffs, the Redbirds have built big leads and opposing teams have made it a priority to slow down Johnson.
"There have been more teams focusing on me," he said. "They have left our other backs open. Instead of me running for 5 yards every play, we have been giving it to our other backs for big plays. I care more about winning than any of my stats. I know what my future holds. I just want to win and get back to state. It's about whatever it takes to win on Friday."
Darlington coach Scott Zywicki sees the attributes that make Johnson a successful running back.
"It's the combination of his athletic attributes," Zywicki said. "He has speed. He runs a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash) and is 200 pounds. He has the ability to break tackles and out run people. Smaller kids bounce off of him and bigger kids can't catch him. He has that perfect blend you look for in a running back. He has the vision to make good decisions and cuts on runs."
Darlington hopes to beat St. Mary's Springs and play in its fourth straight state title game.
"It's definitely something not many people get to experience," Johnson said of playing for a state title. "I'm truly blessed to play for such a great team that has a great chance to compete and go to state every year."
