The tone of Hamilton Southeastern’s football team shifted instantly when senior quarterback and Duke commit Terry Walker went down with a torn ACL against cross-town rival Fishers. The Royals had lost a leader, and a season that began with high hopes suddenly felt uncertain.
For freshman quarterback Deaken Johnson, the call to action came immediately.
“I felt sorry for Terry,” Johnson said. “I knew I had to step up and play a big role.”
At just 14 years old, Johnson is now lining up against defenders who are often bigger, faster, and stronger, stepping into the shoes of an 18-year-old star. The difference in size and experience is obvious, but Johnson has embraced the challenge with surprising composure for his age.
Even from the sidelines, Walker has continued to guide his replacement.
“He has helped me by guiding me through it,” Johnson said. “He is a nice guy.”
But Johnson isn’t facing this transition alone. His teammates, especially the upperclassmen, have been vocal about rallying behind him. Senior defensive leader Kyle Jenkins said that support has been key as Johnson grows into his new role.
“I’ve tried to make sure he is still having fun with the game and not putting too much pressure on himself,” Jenkins said. “Some things that make me confident in him is that he is very poised. I rarely see him frustrated with himself or in general.”
That poise has already shown flashes on Friday nights. Johnson has displayed confidence in the pocket and the ability to extend plays with his legs when needed. While he doesn’t have Walker’s experience, he brings his own skill set to the Royals’ offense.
“I can also run the ball,” Johnson said. “I don’t just always have to throw the ball deep.”
For Jenkins, the biggest thing he wants Johnson to remember is that he’s not alone in this.
“My advice would be to keep having fun with it,” Jenkins said. “He has over 100 people between coaches and teammates that are there for him and support him, so he should just be grateful for that and keep doing his thing.”
For Hamilton Southeastern, the season now rests on the shoulders of a freshman who never expected to lead this team so soon. But under the Friday night lights, Johnson is showing he might just be ready for the challenge.
