It’s possible that Aurora Christian senior Asa Johnson did sweat the small stuff last year in his first varsity season at quarterback. And that really wasn’t a bad thing.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Johnson, who has a strong arm, still put up impressive numbers in keeping the Eagles above .500 for the regular season and getting into the Class 1A playoffs.
But that’s another story.
“Getting in at 5-4, we keep playing one of the top teams in our bracket,” Johnson said.
This season, however, Aurora Christian moves up to Class 2A, and he thinks that will help.
Last fall, Johnson tied a school record by completing 62.5% of his passes for 2,322 yards with 24 touchdowns but the Eagles (5-5) bowed out with a 54-21 first-round loss to semifinalist LeRoy.
The difference now goes beyond the class they will play in, according to Johnson.
“This team is a lot more focused,” he said. “Everyone kind of looked around and they’re tired of getting punched in the face the first round of the playoffs.
“Things have changed a little bit, taking practice and every aspect a lot more serious.”
Conference rival Chicago Christian (13-1) won the Class 2A state championship game last year with a 47-0 rout of Maroa-Forsyth but squeaked by Aurora Christian 28-21 in Week 9.
“I’d say coming off last season, I’m not too much of an underdog anymore,” Johnson said. “I’m obviously not coming in cocky. My coaches rely on me to understand. I’m not a new guy.
“I would say the game has slowed down a lot for me. Last year was fast, I have to be honest. JV the year before was completely different. People aren’t coming at you as quick.”
Some changes within the program should help.
Mike Hohensee, who Johnson has taken personal lessons from for several years, joins the staff of Aurora Christian coach David Beebe after working the past three years at Montini in addition to his training business.
”It’s huge,” Johnson said of Hohensee. “On the training aspect, it’s a whole different level. He played for the Bears — of course he’s gonna know what he’s talking about.
“He focuses a lot on the mental aspect of the game. We’re working on my reads. It’s good to learn about football instead of just training for football.”
The two share a common bond.
Johnson started youth football in Sycamore playing offensive line because he was one of the bigger kids in the program.
“It’s funny because my first position was left guard and then to play quarterback in the NFL,” Hohensee said. “I tell the young kids you just never know.
“I think Asa’s a quarterback. From the first time I met him and started working with him, I love his demeanor.”
Beebe pointed out that he asks a lot of his quarterbacks.
“I put a lot of audible options for Asa,” Beebe said. “And this is the first time ever I’ve had a senior quarterback in the eight years I’ve handled offensive coordinator.”
Johnson confirmed that film study with Hohensee is a treat.
“He’s big on every little thing matters,” Johnson said. “He breaks it all down.”
In a self-critique, Johnson acknowledged that he probably relied on one receiver — Jonan Miceli, a senior who has graduated — too much last season.
Why not?
Miceli caught 85 passes for 1,175 yards and 11 TDs in earning conference MVP and all-state honors.
“I was always looking for him,” Johnson said. “I’d say this year we’re pretty evenly balanced.”
Johnson related that three senior receivers — Eli Anderson, Dominic Klimpke and Nolan Robertson — are all solid.
“This year, I understand the offense a lot more and I’m reading safeties and cornerbacks better,” Johnson said. “I think the ball will be spread around more.”
Aurora Christian’s Asa Johnson delivers a pitch against Newark during a nonconference game in Newark on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. (Jon Langham / The Beacon-News)
Beebe has embraced the changes.
“It’s been a very transformational year for us,” Beebe said. “I’ve never seen an offseason like this in 22 years. We went military from day one, and these kids gravitated toward it and loved it.”
He pointed to the hill beyond his stadium’s north end zone.
“We were running hills in November with sandbags on our shoulders,” Beebe said. “These kids are something. I love this team.”