Prep Athlete of the Week: Dartangan Johnson

Barry Faulkner

When you’re 15 years old, a lot can happen in three months. Just

ask Newport Harbor High junior Dartangan Johnson, who in the 12-week span

between the end of the track and field season and the beginning of

football practice this fall, grew out of a childhood nickname and into a

starring role as the Tars’ tailback.

Known formerly as Dede, a family moniker Johnson contemptuously

dismissed this summer as “a kid’s name,” The 6-foot, 180-pounder now

prefers to be called the name given him by his father, who, to no one’s

surprise, is a big fan of the sword-wielding Three Musketeers.

And through his first three games as a varsity starter, Johnson has

slashed through opposing defenses like his fictitious namesake lashes

through villains.

He rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns in the Sailors’ 47-7

victory over Back Bay rival Corona del Mar Friday. The Daily Pilot Player

of the Week now has 601 yards and four TDs on 77 carries this fall,

putting him on pace to become the third straight Harbor tailback to rush

for at least 2,000 yards in a season.

The name is not the only change Johnson invoked after rushing for what

Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley estimated at 2,000 yards for the junior

varsity last year. He has also added 15 pounds of muscle through tireless

dedication in the weight room.

“We were looking at some film from last year and I said ‘Who is that

skinny guy?’ ” Brinkley said of the Johnson’s stature as a sophomore,

when he carried 30 times for 135 yards and one TD against varsity

competition.

The added thickness, and resulting strength, has helped make the

speedy Johnson (he ran the 100 meters in 11.2 seconds last spring and

contributed to the Tars’ CIF-qualifying 400 relay team) a more formidable

target for opposing tacklers.

“He has always been pretty physical and he always ran hard,” Brinkley

said. “But he is a little heavier, now, which helps.”

Johnson has helped the Sailors (2-0-1), ranked No. 7 in Orange County,

continue their now trademark productivity on the ground.

“He has good speed and he has been quick hitting the hole,” Brinkley

said. “He also has good vision, which allows him to see the hole. He has

a natural work ethic and he is also pretty humble, which I like. He has a

good relationship with the offensive linemen and he’s also very good

about supporting our other running backs.”

Johnson acknowledges it is good to be the Newport tailback these days,

operating behind what some have termed the best offensive line the school

has produced, at least during Brinkley’s 16 years at the Sailors’ helm.

“I just want to fit in,” Johnson said. “(Running backs coach Bill

Brown) makes sure after every play we let those guys know their work is

appreciated. If those guys go down, I go down with them.”

While his blockers have consistently created running room -- he has

already reeled off seven runs of more than 29 yards, including bursts of

33, for a TD, and 38 against CdM -- Johnson has also displayed the

ability to create yards with individual effort.

“The more the merrier,” Johnson said of his yards after contact. “I

don’t want to be getting tossed around out there. I’ve got to keep

going.”

Johnson said his natural competitiveness was enhanced by watching

predecessors Andre Stewart (1999) and Chris Manderino (2000) each pile up

more than 2,000 rushing yards.

“Watching those guys, I’ve tried to pick up things,” Johnson said.

“From Chris, I learned to keep going hard, keep fighting and never give

up. From Andre, I’ve tried to pick up and use some of his quickness and

moves, though he also had strength and never gave up.”