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Johnson leads talented pack along defensive line
Los Angeles Times
|August 17. 2025
Sierra Canyon's edge rusher is among group of difference-makers expected to blossom.
CRAIG WESTON For The Times DEFENSIVE star Mikhal Johnson catches a touchdown on a tackle-eligible play.
Mikhal Johnson, 6 feet 2 and 255 pounds, has played defense all his football life. Then came the moment last season when Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse gave hima chance to catch a pass from quarterback Wyatt Becker in a Mission League championship game against Gardena Serra.
Johnson called it “something out ofa movie.”
“We practiced it a couple times during the week,” Johnson said. “Coach called me over, ‘We're running the play.’ Ilined up at tight end. I did a fake block. I go out, nobody is guarding me. This is it. Wyatt throws me the ball over my shoulder, I catch it. It was like, ‘Yes.’ I was so excited. My first ever touchdown the first time Iplayeda skill position in my life.”
Nothing comes as a surprise for Johnson, who also had a baseball game in the spring in which he hit two home runs and had seven RBIs against Camarillo.
This story is from the August 17. 2025 edition of Los Angeles Times.
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