GAMES
RANKINGS
SHOCK THE WORLD: CE King, Johnson find themselves on big stage
CE King QB Denim Johnson may look like a tenured vet running the Panthers' offense, but this is his first year playing varsity high school football.
Johnson’s story started at Atascocita High School where he played his freshman and sophomore season.
Before his junior year, Johnson transferred to C.E. King where he thought he would be the starting QB. Just before the first game, he was ruled ineligible by the UIL. It just so happened to be his birthday.
“Grinding and preparing for my junior year and hearing the news was definitely rough for me” Johnson said. “One thing I can say is that it taught me a lot and made me a whole different person, because I knew my path was going to be a little more difficult.”
Good things happen to those who wait... The senior has made the most of his chance to play, throwing for 2,023 yards, 14 TDs and rushing for 447 yards and two TDs.
Now he finds himself on a huge stage, leading CE King to the Regional Final at NRG Stadium this Friday.
The Panthers are playoff-prepared having run the gauntlet of North Shore, Atascocita and Summer Creek in district and Allen in the preseason.
“It was hard for sure," he said. "You know everyone wants to come into the season, go undefeated and win district, but things didn’t work that way. We didn’t let that stop us from wanting to achieve that goal that we set during offseason... during the hot summer days. We looked at the playoffs as if it was a new season and a fresh start, and right now we’re 3-0 and it feels good.”
The Panthers are the definitely the underdogs going against the nine-time State Champ Katy, but this is why the games are played.
“We want to shock the world," he said. "We know what we are in for and we are just taking it day-by-day in practice. We are focusing on what is in front of us and not the side noise. It's all about focus and heart. If we want to beat them, we have to do our jobs and respond back well to adversity.”
THE BIG STAGE: A look at the public, private school storylines
The UIL and TAPPS postseason is coming to a point. The TAPPS State Weekend starts Friday, while the Regional Finals for UIL will determine the State's Final Four.
Here's a quick look at this week's matchups.
...
Class 6A DI
Region II
Westfield (12-1) vs Duncanville (13-0), Saturday December 3rd, 3:00 PM in Georgetown
Westfield’s high-powered offense led by QB Preston Hatter will be tested this week against a Duncanville defense, who has been dominant this year led by the state's No.1 defensive player DE Colin Simmons.
...
Region III
North Shore (13-0) vs Atascocita (11-2), Friday December 2nd, 7:00 PM at Randall Reed Stadium
North Shore is seeking their fifth-straight State Semifinal appearance and fourth State Title in six years. District rival Atascocita stands in their way, who is looking for their their first Semifinal appearance since 2016.
...
Class 6A DII
Region III
Katy (13-0) vs C.E. King (9-4)
Katy’s road to their 10th State Title in program history is beginning to narrow down as Jerry’s World is only two exits away. RB Seth Davis and a nasty defense is prepped C.E King and QB Denhim Johnson. The Panthers want to spoil the party.
...
Class 5A DII
Region III
FB Marshall (12-1) vs PNG (11-2), Friday December 2nd, 7:00 PM at Galena Park ISD Stadium
The Fort Bend Marshall Buffs are rolling in the playoffs, demolishing most in their way. The Buffs have hopes of hoisting the State Trophy for the first time in program history. District-mate Port Neches-Groves is up next, who they beat by 20 points in conference play.
...
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
TAPPS Division 2
Fort Bend Christian Academy (9-4) vs Fort Worth All Saints (7-5), Friday December 2nd, 12:00 PM Waco ISD Stadium
Fort Bend Christian Academy is in the TAPPS State Championship for the first time in program history, facing an All Saints team who has also never made the State game. QB Brady Dever and the Eagles will look to continue their success and hoist the trophy as the champs Friday.
...
TAPPS Division III
Dallas Christian School (12-1) vs Cypress Christian School (8-4), Saturday December 3rd, 7:00 PM Waco ISD Stadium
Cypress Christian won TAPPS State last year and is looking for the repeat, but Dallas Christian is in the way. The private school powerhouse, moved down a division after winning the TAPPS Division 2 Championship last year.