Sept. 2: Berry Johnson, KIPP DC Legacy

photo by amare parker/@digmyvision

After emerging as one of KIPP DC Legacy’s top players last season, Berry Johnson dedicated himself throughout the offseason. That hard work, combined with a timely growth spurt, has the fourth-year varsity player intent on showing how talented he is.

Johnson, who plays wide receiver and safety, was repeatedly in the spotlight during the Bulldogs’ season opener this past Friday. He caught five passes for 95 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown for the game’s only score and on defense delivered several big plays, with seven tackles that included three tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble as KIPP Legacy beat McKinley Tech, 6-0.

For his efforts, Johnson was named the Military Bowl Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“He dominated the game,” Bulldogs Coach Andrew Isaacs said. “He was flying all over the field, making big hits right and left, making plays on special teams.”

Isaacs said that Johnson started earning playing time as an undersized 5-foot-5 sophomore and began to shine last season, leading the team in receiving and earning DCSAA All-State honors as a returner. He has grown to 5 feet 9 and 165 pounds while retaining all of the intangibles that helped him stand out.

“He just has a knack for being around the ball,” Isaacs said. “He plays really fast, has great ball skills and his play recognition is amazing. And now he’s had a bit of a growth spurt and is starting to fill out his body more.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

LOUDOUN
Loudoun Valley RB/LB Ethan Lafollette rushed 25 times for 214 yards and four touchdowns and on defense made nine tackles as the Vikings beat Millbrook, 39-37.

NORTHERN REGION
Washington-Liberty QB Tyler Flint-Steinig completed 22 of 30 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns as the Generals beat O’Connell, 35-21.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Colgan DB Gabe Huber set a school record with three interceptions as the Sharks beat Osbourn, 17-14.

PRIVATE
Bullis QB Braden Nyce completed 14 of 21 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns and had a 31-yard run as the Bulldogs beat Bishop Ireton, 49-14.

STAFFORD
Brooke Point WR/DB Aviance Young returned a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown, caught four passes for 78 yards and one touchdown, returned one of his two interceptions 25 yards for a touchdown and made seven tackles with two tackles for loss as the Black-Hawks beat King George, 60-0.

WCAC
DeMatha RB TJ Grant, a Maryland recruit, rushed 18 times for 136 yards and three touchdowns as the Stags beat Spalding, 35-14.