Kyle Johnson demonstrated his exceptional skills on the field as he led the Bangor Rams to a decisive 35-6 victory against Oxford Hills in the quarterfinals of the postseason. The senior quarterback, who began his high school journey as a running back, made an immediate impact with a spectacular 70-yard touchdown on the very first play of the game.
“It energized everybody — from the crowd, to the coaches, to our bench, to our players on the field, our defense,” said Bangor coach David Morris about that electrifying moment. “It was a dynamite blast, to be honest with you.”
Johnson”s dynamic presence has become a cornerstone for the Rams as they prepare for their upcoming semifinal matchup against defending champion Portland. His versatility extends beyond the quarterback position; he also plays linebacker and serves as the team”s punter. Morris emphasized Johnson”s pivotal role, stating, “It”s no dark secret that he”s central to a lot of the things we do. Kyle is obviously a talented kid, and he”s a great leader. For us, he”s a difference maker.”
The impact of Johnson”s performance was not solely a result of his individual talent. Morris was quick to acknowledge the contributions of the offensive line and other teammates, saying, “It was also just our offensive line. It was great blocks up front, from our line to our backs.” These blocks allowed Johnson to showcase his remarkable speed, which is particularly impressive for an athlete of his size at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds.
The team”s turnaround against Oxford Hills was significant, especially considering they suffered a heavy defeat to the Vikings just a week prior. Morris attributed this improvement to the hard work and preparation his players exhibited during practice leading up to the game. “You really can”t underestimate the amount of energy and enthusiasm that they brought,” he noted.
As the Rams gear up for their clash with Portland, Morris anticipates a thrilling contest featuring two standout players: Johnson and Portland”s star quarterback Cordell Jones. Jones, the reigning Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, transitioned from wide receiver and running back to quarterback this season. The last encounter between Bangor and Portland resulted in a 42-26 loss for the Rams during the regular season. Nonetheless, Morris views the playoffs as a fresh start, stating, “It”s a great challenge for us. I think it”s gonna be a great challenge for them as well.”
