JOHNSON GETTING HEALTHY FOR CHAPEL

By Josh Tinker/COMMERCIAL SPORTS EDITOR

Watson Chapel coach George Shelton knows his team has a big game this week. In the final contest of the season, Shelton’s Wildcats will travel to Benton with a trip to the playoffs on the line. Entering the matchup, Shelton said his team is currently in fifth place in the 6A South conference, good enough for one of the league’s postseason berths.

“The potential exists for our season to be extended,” Shelton said. “It’s a lot of fun when you know your season is being extended.”

But for that to happen, Shelton’s team first has to beat the Panthers. The Wildcats will have one of their biggest assets as they try to do just that. After struggling most of the season with a high ankle sprain suffered the first week of the season, Watson Chapel running back Kevin Johnson showed he was back to form last week, as the junior rushed for 223 yards and five touchdowns to lead Watson Chapel to a 34-14 victory over Sheridan on Friday night.

“I’d seen him getting better week by week,” Shelton said. “At Texarkana (two weeks ago), I saw a gear I hadn’t seen from him. I had an inkling he was getting well. (Friday) we saw him at top speed.

“He’s what we consider our feature back,” Shelton continued. “The kids certainly respond offensively when he is in the game. He’s proven he’s able to run the football. He helps in the passing game. He’s a vital part to our success.”

Now, Shelton hopes this success continues Thursday, as the Wildcats travel to Saline County. And while Benton has struggled on offense this season, Shelton knows another big night from Johnson could secure the Wildcats that postseason berth that Shelton says they haven’t had since the 2005 season.

“He brings speed to the edge, instinct and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield,” said Shelton of Johnson. “He’s a great leader. I’m pleased with him and all of our running backs. Nick Vanderbilt has done well. Our running back corps is young. We have 5-6 running backs we work with everyday.

“We’re getting healthy at the right time.”