It’s one thing to excel at one high school sport. It’s another to thrive in three.
That’s what Bishop Kelly’s Rakeem Johnson has done for multiple years. Most known for his performance on the football field, Johnson has expanded his athletic excellence to the basketball court in the winter and in track and field during the spring.
He went out on the highest of notes in his senior season.
In his main sport, football, he helped Bishop Kelly bring home the 4A state championship for the eighth time in school history. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound lineman played both offensive and defensive line. He was instrumental in paving the way for running back Peter Minnaert, the Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year, to rush for over 1,600 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Johnson was so dominant in the trenches that he was named the 4A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year.
“He’s so competitive,” Bishop Kelly head football coach Chris Culig said. “He plays the game of football the way it’s supposed to be played. A lot of big and athletic guys aren’t necessarily as competitive and want to win. That set him apart. He’s just awesome in the locker room and as a leader.”
Once football concluded, it was time for basketball season.
Johnson missed the first portion of the season, but once he returned, Bishop Kelly’s season took off. After a 3-4 start, the Knights won 14 games in a row, including a perfect 12-0 record in conference play.
His role, much like in football, wasn’t one that featured the ball in his hands. He anchored the paint and defense for Bishop Kelly and was named the 4A SIC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. The Knights finished third at the state tournament.
Johnson’s skills in football have had a direct correlation to his success on the court.
“As a center for us, we ask you to be moving in front of the rim constantly and try to contest and make shots difficult,” Bishop Kelly head basketball coach Ryan Kerns said. “Get your hands on passes. His wingspan and hand-eye coordination was incredible. His ability to move laterally from the offensive lineman spot was shocking.”
Finally, it was time to wind down and embrace the track and field season in the spring. In a much more relaxed environment, Johnson maintained his competitiveness to win two state titles. He won the shotput and discus events, with his performance in discus setting a new 4A record. At first, Johnson had joined track & field to stay active in the offseason. But once the sport became a strength of his, it challenged him to prepare for a sport in a way he hadn’t before.
“It helps me find my mental spot, find where I need to be in preparation to become the best person and player I am,” Johnson said.
The conclusion of his final high school season ended with state tournament appearances in all three sports, winning multiple state titles.
Anyone with the athletic gifts Johnson has can excel across multiple sports, but it takes more than an athletic build to be successful. Johnson’s coaches raved about his mentality, competitiveness and leadership.
“When he was in eighth grade, it was obvious he was going to be not only a great athlete, but a leader and great teammate,” Kerns said. “To see him throughout his high school career, it was no surprise he was going to be successful in football and basketball.”
“Besides being a phenomenal athlete, he has an unbelievable disposition,” Culig said. “He’s always smiling and high energy. He’s so nice, I don’t think people realize how competitive he is and it goes a long way for his success.”
And as Culig puts it, the benefit of an athlete playing — and excelling in — multiple sports leads to a more well-rounded athlete, willing to push their athletic boundaries each day.
“For me as a coach, the guy that plays multiple sports and does multiple things, tends to be easier to coach,” Culig said. “Takes coaching better, tends to be a better competitor because they’re more well rounded.”
Johnson will continue his football career at Michigan State University in the fall, but is happy to have done everything he could have to enjoy his time in high school.
“One day you’re going to look back and regret not doing everything you wanted to,” Johnson said. “Just put your mind to doing everything you can.”
OTHER NOMINEES
Winning the 3A Snake River Valley Conference Player of the Year award in multiple sports, Homedale senior Dillon Fine made his mark on the football field and baseball diamond.
In his first year as the Trojans’ starting quarterback, Fine accounted for 2,879 yards of total offense and 43 touchdowns. He also played defense as a defensive back and recorded four interceptions. Homedale reached the state semifinals.
In baseball, which is what he’ll play at the University of Utah, he was lights out on the mound, registering a 0.37 ERA in 57 ⅓ innings with 126 strikeouts. His fastball topped out at 93 mph and was also named the 3A Idaho Player of the Year, leading Homedale to a runner-up finish at state.
Meridian’s Jason Mara made history in multiple ways on the wrestling mat in his senior season. Individually, he became the 11th wrestler in 5A history to win four-straight individual state titles. The Stanford-signee won the 152-pound bracket in February.
He also won a fourth-straight team title with the Warriors, the first time any school has done so in 5A history.
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