KFBCA Top 11: Avery Johnson

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams on December 4th and 5th, including the All-Class Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Maize quarterback Avery Johnson's capsule below, the seventh of the KFBCA Top 11 capsules for 2022.

Avery Johnson, QB, 6-3, 175, Maize

Avery Johnson’s career at Maize High in a word – Dominant! The senior signal-caller saw time on the varsity field all four years and totalled a 41-8 career record with trips to at least the quarterfinal round of the playoffs in all four seasons and back-to-back state championship game berths the last two seasons.
 
As a freshman Johnson totalled 645 yards with seven touchdowns on 45 of 64 passing and helped lead Maize to a semifinal finish and 10-2 record while splitting time with All-League senior quarterback Camden Jurgensen.
 
In his sophomore campaign he earned the starting spot outright and proceeded to throw for 1,699 yards and 16 TDs on 124 of 214 passing and added 73 carries for 369 yards and 10 more scores. He led the Eagles to a quarterfinal finish with a 9-2 mark.
 
By this time the nation had taken notice of the 6-3, 175 pound dual-threat QB with 4.5 40 speed. Florida State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and a multitude of other Power 5 programs extended offers to Johnson the summer before his junior season.
 
Johnson saw more improvement as a junior, completing 162 of 219 passes for 2,549 yards and 20 TDs with 1,080 rushing yards and 22 TDs on 146 carries. Maize went 10-3 with a seven point loss early in the season to a Gabe Welch led Ark City team, a 42-41 loss to defending 6A state champs Derby – who went on to finish second in 6A that season – and finally a 28-14 loss in the state title game to a Mill Valley program that won their fifth title in seven years with that victory.
 
“I would say that the reason that Avery is able to not only sustain, but even improve his level of play, is his incredible work ethic,” Maize head coach Gary Guzman said. “Avery is truly one of the hardest workers that I've had the privilege and opportunity to work with.”
 
As a senior, Johnson put together his best work as a passer yet, going 153 of 228 for 2,768 yards and 29 TDs with just three interceptions, while adding 817 yards and 17 TDs on 98 carries. The Eagles ran the table through the regular season, including a payback one-point win over AVCTL rival Derby, topping them 52-51. It was again in the state championship game that Maize’s season came to an end, and again it came against a juggernaut Mill Valley program by a score of 28-14 as the Jaguars won their fourth straight 5A title.
 
Few, however, can boast the level of impact Johnson made in helping their team to such success over the course of a four-year career.
 
“Avery's leadership was definitely a key factor in helping us reach the state title game two years in a row,” Guzman said. “Avery is a natural leader who can step into any competitive situation and immediately take charge.”
 
Prior to his senior season Johnson made the decision to take his talents to Kansas State University helping the Wildcat recruiting class to a Top 30 ranking. The four-star QB earned a room full of accolades as a senior, becoming a Kansas Pregame Coverboy, an Army All-American, Under Armour All-American, an Elite 11 Finalist, Maxpreps Kansas High School Football Player of the Year, in addition to his KFBCA Top 11 selection.
 
“Avery is the best quarterback we have ever had to coach against,” Derby head coach Brandon Clark said. “I’m glad we won’t ever have to see him again and I’m glad I can now cheer Avery on as a K-State fan!”

While his opponents are happy to see him move on to the next level, it's more bittersweet for coach Guzman and Maize football.
 
“There's a lot that our team will miss about not having Avery around next year, but to me, the biggest thing is going to be his confidence and competitiveness,” Guzman said. “These are two of Avery's many qualities that rubbed off on the rest of our team and helped us to be successful.”