DARLINGTON - Whether it was playing flag football or shooting hoops, second cousins Hunter and Trevor Johnson were inseparable growing up one mile apart in a small town.
The Johnson cousins' first love was football. They started playing flag football in second grade, and
in fifth grade they both advanced
to play in the Platteville youth football league.
"Growing up football had the most influence on our family," Hunter said.
Now, Hunter and Trevor will be side by side on the field at 1:05 p.m. Thursday as the top-ranked Darlington High School football team takes on Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs in the WIAA Division 6 state championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
"It's definitely not something many people get to experience, playing in a state championship game with your cousin and your family being two of the running backs in a wing-T offense," Hunter said.
They developed a passion for basketball when they were growing up, too, and when they got to high school both considered not playing football. However, their drive to succeed has paid dividends for the Redbirds.
"We decided to go out for football, and we found out we were pretty good," Hunter said.
They both are willing to pave the way for the other.
"We are able to just point at each other, and we will block for each other," Trevor said. "We both know each other's strengths."
The Redbirds have had three running backs each eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in the same season for the third straight year.
"It's big for us," Trevor said. "It's a great accomplishment that we have had this year. It just shows the community how hard we will pound the ball at you."
Hunter has rushed for 2,246 yards and 40 touchdowns to lead a Redbirds' attack that is averaging 374 total rushing yards per game. Trevor has rushed for 1,137 yards and 14 TDs, and senior Conrad Blosch has rushed for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns.
Hunter, a first-team all-state running back, started the season at fullback but was moved to running back in the second week of the season. Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said the Redbirds tweaked the offense to take advantage of Hunter's speed.
"We have given him an opportunity to get to the outside more than previous years," Zywicki said of Hunter. "At 205 pounds, he has excellent speed, and he's a mismatch for DBs that try to tackle him. He can run away from inside linebackers and linemen, and he's just a tough matchup."
Hunter enjoyed the shift back to running back.
"I get to see the field more and make my cuts," Hunter said. "I'm more comfortable and it's my position."
Zywicki isn't surprised by the Redbirds' success. It's unparalleled what the Redbirds have done with a rushing attack the past three years that has produced nine running backs with more than 1,000 yards. The offensive line is led by senior Taylor Evenstad, who was named honorable mention all-state.
"It's a testament to the linemen we have had as well as the quality of running backs," Zywicki said. "I think our kids take a great deal of pride in blocking for each other. They enjoy each other's success."
Hunter's strengths as a runner compliment Trevor's speed and quickness to get to the outside and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield. Trevor is the Redbirds' leading receiver with 13 receptions for 426 yards and eight touchdowns. Hunter admires his cousins' playmaking ability.
"His versatility is the big thing," Hunter said. "He has the quickness to get outside. He makes guys miss. He has good vision and cuts really well."
Trevor credited an offensive line that averages 228 pounds for sparking the Redbirds' rushing attack.
"We wouldn't be able to do what we have without them," Trevor said of the line. "They give us big holes to run through and lead blocks and kickout blocks."
The Johnson cousins' first love was football. They started playing flag football in second grade, and
in fifth grade they both advanced
to play in the Platteville youth football league.
"Growing up football had the most influence on our family," Hunter said.
Now, Hunter and Trevor will be side by side on the field at 1:05 p.m. Thursday as the top-ranked Darlington High School football team takes on Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs in the WIAA Division 6 state championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
"It's definitely not something many people get to experience, playing in a state championship game with your cousin and your family being two of the running backs in a wing-T offense," Hunter said.
They developed a passion for basketball when they were growing up, too, and when they got to high school both considered not playing football. However, their drive to succeed has paid dividends for the Redbirds.
"We decided to go out for football, and we found out we were pretty good," Hunter said.
They both are willing to pave the way for the other.
"We are able to just point at each other, and we will block for each other," Trevor said. "We both know each other's strengths."
The Redbirds have had three running backs each eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in the same season for the third straight year.
"It's big for us," Trevor said. "It's a great accomplishment that we have had this year. It just shows the community how hard we will pound the ball at you."
Hunter has rushed for 2,246 yards and 40 touchdowns to lead a Redbirds' attack that is averaging 374 total rushing yards per game. Trevor has rushed for 1,137 yards and 14 TDs, and senior Conrad Blosch has rushed for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns.
Hunter, a first-team all-state running back, started the season at fullback but was moved to running back in the second week of the season. Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said the Redbirds tweaked the offense to take advantage of Hunter's speed.
"We have given him an opportunity to get to the outside more than previous years," Zywicki said of Hunter. "At 205 pounds, he has excellent speed, and he's a mismatch for DBs that try to tackle him. He can run away from inside linebackers and linemen, and he's just a tough matchup."
Hunter enjoyed the shift back to running back.
"I get to see the field more and make my cuts," Hunter said. "I'm more comfortable and it's my position."
Zywicki isn't surprised by the Redbirds' success. It's unparalleled what the Redbirds have done with a rushing attack the past three years that has produced nine running backs with more than 1,000 yards. The offensive line is led by senior Taylor Evenstad, who was named honorable mention all-state.
"It's a testament to the linemen we have had as well as the quality of running backs," Zywicki said. "I think our kids take a great deal of pride in blocking for each other. They enjoy each other's success."
Hunter's strengths as a runner compliment Trevor's speed and quickness to get to the outside and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield. Trevor is the Redbirds' leading receiver with 13 receptions for 426 yards and eight touchdowns. Hunter admires his cousins' playmaking ability.
"His versatility is the big thing," Hunter said. "He has the quickness to get outside. He makes guys miss. He has good vision and cuts really well."
Trevor credited an offensive line that averages 228 pounds for sparking the Redbirds' rushing attack.
"We wouldn't be able to do what we have without them," Trevor said of the line. "They give us big holes to run through and lead blocks and kickout blocks."
