Joaquin Johnson adds juice to St. Bonaventure's high-powered offense
For the naysayers who insist summer 7 on 7 doesn't matter, isn't relevant, hardly translates to "real" football, Joaquin Johnson serves to differ.
St. Bonaventure High's senior wide receiver wasn't satisfied with his 11th-grade season. The entire offseason, and particularly summertime passing events, allowed him to click with incoming quarterback Anthony Wolter and set up an impactful 2022 campaign.
"I wasn't happy with what I did last season," Johnson says. "I have big expectations for myself and I knew we had a pure quarterback coming into the program with Anthony. We've worked hard together, often just getting out there and throwing.
"Summer passing tournaments was a big part of that. We built our chemistry and trust in each other. It made me really confident coming into this season."
Johnson proved to be all but unguardable in 7 on 7 events. Now the wideout that teammates and coaches affectionately refer to as "Juice" has carried that electrifying style and dynamic big-play potential into the season.
He indeed is a team sparkplug and a player his head coach calls "charismatic."
"He plays with a lot of confidence and that really carries over to his teammates," said coach Joe Goyeneche. "He has that swagger that he brings to our offense. Not only is he a great player, he's got a charismatic presence that's good for our team."
The Juice has been turned on, and becomes an integral part of a loaded Seraphs offense.
The pieces include standout running back Delon Thompson, gifted quarterback Wolter and an aggressive, cohesive offensive line.
"It's pretty much pick your poison for defenses," said Goyeneche. "Everyone knows what Delon can do. If you want to bring your safeties up into the box to try to stop the run, then Juice can hit you over the top with the big play.
"We're still working to put it all together with our passing game. Once we do that, I like our chances against just about anybody."
St. Bonaventure currently stands 1-2 heading into Friday night's nonleague game at Sherman Oaks-Notre Dame with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Seraphs are seeking their first road victory.
The losses have come to powerhouses Inglewood and San Diego-Lincoln. The victory was a 46-41 shootout against fellow county strongboy Pacifica.
Johnson likes the progress.
"I'm very confident with what we can do," he said. "We know we've been playing great opponents, and those were games where one or two plays made the difference. We've been going up against Division 1-caliber teams and we've been playing our hearts out.
"We're getting better. The teams we're playing will make us better by the team we get to (Marmonte) league."
Through three games, Johnson has nearly matched the output from his entire junior season.
The 6-foot, 173-pounder tops the Seraphs with 14 catches for 293 yards and three touchdowns. He's averaging 97.7 yards per game.
As a junior, he notched 34 receptions for 396 yards and four touchdowns. The average was 39.6 yards per contest.
Among his goals this season is to rack up big plays.
"Of course I'm looking to break it every time I get the ball," he said. "My mentality is break one tackle, make one move, and I can get loose. I want to provide that for my team."
About that nickname.
He's been called "Juice" almost from the time a football was too big for him to carry.
His mom Julie says Joaquin was all of 4 years old when he got his initiation to football. His dad Kirk was in the U.S. Navy and the family was living in San Diego.
"My oldest son was playing with his ex-football teammates and Joaquin joined them and started going crazy on them," Julie said. "Of course they loved it because he was only like 4 years old.
"The started chanting, 'He's got the juice!" He's got the juice!' "
It stuck of course.
The family moved to Oxnard, Johnson played his youth football for the Oxnard Warriors, and his position was always quarterback.
"Not that I thought of myself as a quarterback, but there was nobody else to play the position," he said. "I didn't move to wide receiver until my freshman year at St. Bonaventure. I feel like I'm still learning the position. There's still a lot to work on."
And could he move back to quarterback for the Seraphs if there was an emergency need?
"Absolutely," he said with a laugh. "I'd be ready."
Kirk, who retired from the Navy in 2021, happened to be a longtime soccer standout who prospered in the U.S. National Team program. Ironically, Joaquin wasn't much into soccer.
"I played like one year," he said. "I knew that football was my sport."
Kirk owns Redline Athletics in Ventura, which is a youth sports training facility. So Joaquin knows all about proper training.
He said his father's lessons also have been invaluable from a mental standpoint.
"He's taught me so much about being disciplined, working hard and being prepared," said Joaquin.
The senior understands where his athletic prowess stems from.
"My mom is 4-foot-9," he said with a chuckle. "My athleticism definitely comes from my dad."
As the Seraphs' players and coaches will attest, Johnson brings much more than on-field production to the program. He's truly a team leader. It's a role Johnson embraces.
"I know how much a senior's advice can mean to a freshman and sophomore," he said. "I take the younger guys under my wing and talk to them a lot about what it takes to be successful in our program.
"I talk to them a lot about practicing the right way and doing what it takes to be better. I take a lot of pride in being a leader."
Despite his talents, Johnson has yet to receive a collegiate offer. He's undaunted.
"I'll keep working hard, which is all I can do," he said. "I really don't have any doubt that I'll get my chance."
In the meantime, there's the majority of the 2022 season to be played, with goals of repeating as Marmonte League champions and launching a deep foray in postseason.
The Seraphs will open competition in the powerhouse Marmonte League with a home game on Sept. 30 vs. Bishop Diego. The Cardinals happen to be a favorite opponent for Johnson.
"I consider it a really good rivalry," he said. "We've had great games with them the past couple years and now we'll play in league. I look forward to going up against them."
WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Thursday
Saugus 16, Simi Valley 14
Friday
Buena at Channel Islands
Dos Pueblos at Ventura
Pacifica at San Marcos
Santa Barbara at Oxnard
Nordhoff at Oak Park
Thousand Oaks at Hueneme
Agoura at Calabasas
St. Bonaventure at Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks
Birmingham at Westlake
St. Joseph-Santa Maria at Newbury Park
Crescenta Valley at Moorpark
Royal at Canyon-Canyon Country
San Marino at Fillmore
La Canada at Santa Paula
Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Joaquin Johnson adds juice to St. Bonaventure's high-powered offense
