Johnson rushes Salem past Niles for fifth victory, 27-7

He gained 243 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- Contrary to what Niles High football players might tell you, none of the Js in J.J. Johnson's name stands for jet.
The way Salem's 5-foot-10, 165-pound tailback burned the Red Dragons for 243 yards on Friday, who could blame them for thinking otherwise?
Behind Salem's powerful offensive line, the Quakers defeated Niles 27-7 to keep Salem's hope for a Metro Athletic Conference crown burning bright.
"This is fun, but none of it is possible without my line -- they're just so big," said Johnson after running 37 times and surpassing the 1,000-mark for the season in the first quarter. "We could run to the left side all day with guard Marcus Grimm pulling."
Credits offensive line
Salem coach Doug Phillips credited center Zach Kennedy, guards Grimm and Matt Jenkins, tackles Jake Pastore and Jake Gano, and tight end Boe Endicott for dominating.
"[Niles] showed us different looks than we saw on film, but our offensive linemen were able to make the adjustments on the field without us coaching them," Phillips said. "That's leadership, that's experience and a sign of an intelligent group of young men. They controlled the line.
"There was nothing fancy about tonight's game. It was hard-nosed and physical," Phillips said.
Johnson said the holes were "huge -- I just have to make the cuts in there and after that it's beautiful."
As pleased as Phillips was with his ball-control offense, he was happier about how his run defenders limited the Red Dragons to 10 yards rushing in the first three quarters.
"It was awesome to see them held to 0-to-2-yard gains," defensive back Tom Jesko said.
Niles loses Taylor
Niles' (3-3, 0-1) offense was affected when tailback Tyler Taylor injured his leg after his third carry and did not return.
Phillips said his staff "challenged our kids this week to stop the run. Even though we've been winning football games, we were not happy with how we were giving up runs.
"They rose up to that challenge," said Phillips, citing Kennedy as "the guy making the hits."
The game was not as competitive as the final score suggests. On their first possession, the Quakers (5-1, 2-0 MAC) drove to the Niles 1 where the heart of the Red Dragons' defense stuffed Johnson twice.
Moments later, the Quakers marched 55 yards on nine plays, with Johnson scoring from the 1. Bryan Wright's extra-point kick gave the Quakers a 7-0 lead.
That missed opportunity provided the Quakers with motivation.
"We wanted to get into the end zone and when we didn't, I think it just gave us more fuel to just get in there the next time we got the ball," Kennedy said.
Two second quarter scores
Johnson added two more touchdowns in the second quarter, scoring from the 4 and the 1 for Salem's 21-0 lead. Johnson rushed for 175 yards in the first half.
"It feels good knowing we can put him into the end zone," Kennedy said. "When we get those holes and see him going down the field, we're so proud because we know we're responsible for him getting where he is."
Jesko, who completed 7-of-14 passes for 76 yards, said, "When J.J is on a roll like that, it just puts so much pressure on their defense to stop the run."
Late in the third quarter, Jesko hit wide receiver Jarin Heath on a fade pattern for a 10-yard touchdown.
Wright attempted a 57-yard field goal that fell just short of the goal post.
Dragons score
Grant Jones caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Joe Razzano for Niles' fourth-quarter touchdown. Razzano completed 8-of-19 passes for 137 yards.
Salem is this week's No. 8 team in Division III Region 11 of the computer playoff ratings.
With unbeaten Canfield next on Salem's schedule, Phillips said he was impressed how the Quakers didn't look ahead.
"The thing in the MAC is to take one week at a time," Phillips said. "I appreciated how our kids stayed focused this week."
williams@vindy.com