Johnson takes over at West Valley
Published Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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FAIRBANKS — The West Valley High School running backs manuevered low on the ground Monday and Ben Johnson swung blocking shields at them during the Wolfpack’s first football practice of the season
The new head coach wasn’t engaged in a form of torture. Instead, the drill reminded the running backs to hold on to the ball when opponents are on top of them, trying to force them to fumble.
“You’re pushing for those extra yards, but you must keep the ball secure!,” shouted Johnson, who came to West Valley from across the street at Hutchison, where he was its junior varsity head volleyball coach last fall.
Johnson and his coaching staff were pushing the fundamentals Monday for a Wolfpack program that’s pushing for their first victory since the last game of the 2006 regular season.
“Definitely fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals,” said Johnson, who is 27 years old, but looks as young as his players. “Even though we’ve got new systems and new coaches, the basic fundamentals of football are what really help you win and establish a program.”
The little things, Johnson noted, can make a big difference.
“Put 11 guys on a field and if all 11 are doing one little thing wrong,” he said, “you might have a big mistake.”
Many things went wrong for West Valley last year, when they finished 0-8 overall and 0-6 in the Railbelt Conferece.
Then-head coach William Russell started the 2007 campaign with a squad which lost 24 players from a 2006 team that earned a berth in the large schools state quarterfinals and finished at 4-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
Jacob Claypool, a running back, linebacker and defensive end, was on the sidelines at the end of last season because of a compartment syndrome in his leg. He suffered emotionally with his teammates in a 54-13 loss to North Pole that wrapped up West Valley’s winless year.
“I know everybody was down. Going through that kind of a season, how could you not be?” Claypool, a 5-foot-9, 190-pound senior, reflected during a break in Monday’s practice. “But everybody was looking forward to next (this) year, what we could do to get better and try to focus on that.
“We want to concentrate on working hard at getting better and to be a better team.”
Though the Wolfpack want to put last season behind them, Johnson doesn’t want them to totally forget the past.
“I don’t think I need to say too much to the boys about what happened last year,” he said. “There’s a change in their entire attitude and they learned a lot from a season like last year.”
Johnson said he’s been impressed with the workmanship of the Wolfpack, particularly the seniors.
“They probably have the best workmanship I’ve ever had in a football program,” he said, “because, specifically, they want to avoid what happened last year. At the same time, high school football is a great equalizer. A great team one year might lose all their seniors and become the bottom team the next.”
The Wolfpack have been there, done that and based on Monday’s practice, they don’t want to go back.
West Valley is the first head-coaching stint for Johnson, who spent six seasons (2000-06) on the coaching staff of his alma mater, Flagstaff High School in Flagstaff, Ariz., and was its JV head coach for five of those seasons. He spent a year in Germany with his wife, who’s a nurse in the Army and is now stationed at Fort Wainwright, and last fall, he came to Hutchison, where he still teaches in its video production program.
West Valley is among the teams scheduled to participate in the Interior Jamboree at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lathrop. The Wolfpack open the regular season against reigning state champion Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.
Community Discussion
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best of luck to the pack. a new coaching staff can be exciting. opening up with juneau and their next 3 games will be a great gadge to see what is needed to make the playoffs. looks like they have one of the toughest schedules of the league.
peace
I agree with Hambone!
For me,watching Wolfpack games last season was quite painful.
I know alot of the kids playing and their parents.
And it wasn't all coaching.
If "heart" told the entire story, there would have been wins to talk about in '07.
Simply put, the young fellas just didn't have the "horses" to compete, period.
Good thing is they come back a year removed from a tough 2007 season.
I liked that David Eastman at Wide Receiver, a First Team All-State selection, but I hear he's now living in the Lower 48. He'll be missed.
And I really am high on their quarterback tandem of Sam McKinstry and Victor Wisel.
McKinstry's got a strong arm.
Unfortunately, neither he or Wisel can catch the ball for their intended targets.
Lot's of dropped passes, at crucial times, in '07.
'Pack needs a strong ground game to mix with their "air attack."
Unfortunately, Ward Dobbs and Dustin Baxter have both left the building.
Wolfpack "D" was pretty solid last season anchored by lineman Matt Craft.
He's back for his senior year.
Need more of that in 2008.
Finally, I say "Good Luck."
Coach Johnson and his young Pack will need it.
Drawing Juneau-Douglas,the defending Large School State Champion, and their incredible young running back, Silver Maake on your first outing?
Wow!
If memory serves me well, Juneau whipped up on West last season in a game that was over almost immediately after it begun.
And watching the Crimson Bears beat up on Lathrop last season was crazy.
Game got so out of hand, Juneau had their huge offensive and defensive linemen coming out of the backfield, running for touchdowns.
Strong team.
Saw Maake put on a "clinic" as well.
Simply put, the kid's very, very good. And he's still only a junior coming into this season.
I'm sure glad West Valley finally made the coaching change that has been needed for the last few years...I here nothing but good things about Ben Johnson, so lets hope he can get West Valley back to thier nearly unstoppable form from 2001! The city league for the kids has really grown over the past few years and there will surely be a lot of talent come up from the ranks over the years. Good luck against Juneau Wolfpack!!
Who else is coaching with Coach Johnson?
OldSkool,
Apparently you didn't watch many games last year if you thought the defense was solid. They gave up 52 points and more than 300 yards a game. They were talented but not right for the defensive sets the coach tried to run. On offense they were one dimensional. After Claypool got hurt there was no run threat to go with the pass and the offense sputtered.
I am a WolfPack parent and I was at 6 of their games. At some point a coaching staff has to realize that some adjustments need to be made. Unfortunately, the only adjustments came after the season ended.
Coach Johnson has done a tremendous job already by organizing the team and making decisive moves that will help WV play to their strengths. They will be well prepared and compete this year. We'll see how wins and losses unfold.
Coach Johnson has on his staff:
Josh Craft: Varsity Defensive Coordinator, offensive and defensive line
Tony Chiu: Varsity Special Teams wide receivers and defensive backs.
Norm Davis: Varsity Asst Defensive Coordinator, JV Head Coach and offensive and defensive line
Nick Hastings: JV wide receivers and defensive backs, Varsity assistant offensive coordinator and assistant QB coach
Ryan Radmer: JV running backs and linebackers
Coach Johnson is also the Varsity offensive coordinator and coaches the Varsity running backs, linebackers and QBs.
I hear Lathrop is looking good. Sounds like they have some bodies on the line and a new RB that played at Monroe last year. Somebody told me the kid is the real deal in the weigh room and on the field. With a returning QB and some additional wideouts this season we might have some good local games. Look out WV.
As always North Pole will be tough!!! They work hard.
BenEFits!
Yeah, I watched plenty of the Wolfpack last season. In fact, it may have been the very same 6 games you watched. And I appreciate the knowledge you bring.
What I saw was a team very weak on both sides of the ball. And I agree very one-dimensional on offense as well.
I saw a coaching staff with all the right intentions, but not possessing the "horses" to put it all into play.
Could changes have been made, of course! Maybe it was the very short season that kept them trying the same things, I don't know.
But save for the West Anchorage and Wasilla games at home, they were in over their heads pretty much every other game they played last season, (at least the one's I saw) ya gotta admit that. And that Lathrop/West Valley "Dog Bowl Showdown?" Good Lord!
As I said earlier, if "heart" were worth an abundance of win's, the 'Pack would have gotten a few, I think.
Guess we'll both be cheering for better this season.
Got a new coach, and some very good friends of mine as Assistant's.
Go 'Pack!
And Peace to you "BenEFits!!!!
hambone - where you coaching this year??
Coach Johnson is wonderful and so is the staff also remember behind a good coaching staff is the parents and booster club! Mr. and Mrs Jackson are wonderful people who have worked hard for the team to get the young men and coaching staff what they need! My son is a first year on the team and I love what everyone is doing.
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