Credit: Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald/MSR
Many St. Paul Johnson fans were wondering what the Governors football team would look like this season after losing key players to graduation last summer.
The three players who walked across the stage at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul last June, quarterback Ali Farfan, wide receiver/cornerback Justice Moody and running back/strong safety Jacoby Wiggins, were big contributors to Johnson’s 7-4 record (4-0 against St. Paul City Conference foes) last season.
Well, the Governors gave football fans a glimpse of what could be at Johnson last Friday evening, defeating St. Agnes 21-20 after spotting the Aggies a 12-0 halftime lead.
Sophomore quarterback Sayvon Darrough, senior wide receiver/cornerback AJ Howard and senior running back/linebacker Colin “Chachi” Moore were the three who took over and put everyone on notice that the Governors were in good hands.
Darrough, who played linebacker last season, accounted for three scores: touchdown passes to senior Kavon Vant, Moore and Howard, including a two-point conversion that put Johnson up for good with 27.7 seconds remaining.
Senior Paris Pollard performed well as a receiver and return specialist. Fellow senior Arsee Gabi provided an extra-point kick after a score.
The Governors also had three touchdowns called back.
Howard, a pretty good basketball player in his own right, caught the game-winning touchdown pass. This was Darrough’s first start at quarterback. Moore, the point guard for the basketball team, caught a pass that put Johnson up 13-12 in the third quarter.
Not a bad start for the Governors.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.