Kyle Johnson isn’t your typical Maine high school quarterback and for good reason.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Bangor High School junior hadn’t been a signal-caller for the Rams until this season.
He was a running back a year ago and was the Rams’ leading rusher with 850 yards.
As a quarterback, he has rushed for 1,073 yards, thrown for 808 yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns, 16 rushing and two passing, in leading the Rams to Friday night’s Class A North championship showdown with Portland. Game time is 6 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.
Bangor was an unlikely A North finalist four weeks ago.
The Rams were 1-5 and out of the playoff picture.
But Johnson sparked the Rams to victories in their last three regular season games which earned them the third seed in A North and then he powered them to a 22-14 win over second seed Lewiston in the semifinals.
The four-game winning streak started with a come-from-behind 28-27 win over Winnacunnet High from Hampton, N.H.
Johnson carried the ball 20 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns including two in the fourth quarter along with a two-point conversion run that won it with 41 seconds remaining.
He also set up the game-winning TD with a fumble recovery at the Rams-18 yard line and then carried the ball eight times during the decisive 14-play, 82-yard drive.
The following week, he ran for 106 yards and three TDs and threw for 50 yards and a TD to lead Bangor to a 35-0 victory over Edward Little of Auburn.
He followed that with an 18-carry, 133-yard rushing performance in a 20-6 win over Oxford Hills/Buckfield which earned the Rams a playoff berth. He ran for a TD.
Then he ran for 78 yards and touchdown runs of one and 26 yards in the playoff win over Lewiston.
Bangor head coach David Morris considers Johnson to be one of the best players in the state.
‘“He has had a great year for us,” said Morris. “He is a tremendous athlete. He is a great football player and a great baseball player.
“He’s durable and dependable. He is a tough runner and he can throw the ball,” said Morris. “And when we need him the most, he comes through for us.”
The Rams were in need of a quarterback this season because Jack Schuck graduated. Morris knew Johnson had played a little quarterback in middle school.
“It came down to who was the most dependable and durable and a good athlete and he fit everything,” Morris said.
Johnson has adjusted well to the new position.
“It has definitely been a little different, for sure,” said Johnson. “Having to throw the ball a little bit more. But having been a running back, they’ve drawn up some of the same plays we had last year only I’m getting the direct snap from center (instead of having the ball being handed to him by the quarterback).”
Johnson is a powerful runner who often carries tacklers with him. He is tough to bring down because of his determination and leg drive.
He said he has always been that kind of runner.
“If you keep your legs churning, you never know when you’re going to break one (a long run),” said Johnson. “My goal is to make it tough on them (to tackle me).”
Johnson’s physical play has translated into leadership on the field.
“He is a very hard runner for a big guy and that’s what we love about him,” said Zac Cota, Bangor’s junior fullback and linebacker and one of the team captains. “He means a lot to our team. He brings so much on offense and he’s a great leader.”
He is also valuable on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker and end.
Johnson, who is the ace of the pitching staff in baseball, said he loves being able to both throw and run and also getting his teammates involved.
“I like to share the wealth. I like to give the ball to the backs and see them do great things and throw the ball to the receivers and see them do great things,” said Johnson.
Morris said Johnson has made major strides as a passer.
“Over the course of the season, he has gotten better and better at throwing the football,” said Morris. “And it’s not just about throwing. He has to make sure he is reading the defense and throwing to the open receiver and he has done those things.”
“I feel a lot more comfortable throwing the ball in the pocket and out of the pocket now,” said Johnson who added that when he runs the ball, he has been able to see the holes.
Johnson said he couldn’t have the success he’s had “without the 10 other guys. It’s a team effort when we win.”
In addition to playing on offense and defense, he usually trots over to the sideline before every play when the Rams have the ball to get the play selection and quickly confer with Morris about it.
Johnson said even though it does add a little more wear and tear on him, it is worth it because it eliminates confusion.
Johnson likes to say he doesn’t get tired but he admitted that he does.
However, he doesn’t want to show any fatigue to his teammates.
“It’s all about winning. Winning is everything to me,” said Johnson.
He does take a beating but said he spends a lot of time recovering.
“On Mondays, I get all the lactic acid out,” said Johson. ”And I pray I don’t get injured.”
Johnson said the team’s march to a berth in the A North final began this past July.
“We had upwards of 50 to 60 kids show up at six in the morning for workouts,” said Johnson. “All the dedication in the summer and the fall has made us a close-knit family type of team.”
That has enabled them to overcome adversity, he said.
The Rams will have their hands full on Friday against a Portland team that is 8-2 including a 35-7 win over Bangor on Oct. 11 in Bangor.
“They’re a tough team. We respect them. But we aren’t going to back down. We want to take it to them,” said Johnson.
