Four-star prospect’s three touchdowns lead Dillard to a bounce back win over Plantation
Most of the time Fort Lauderdale Dillard’s Christopher Johnson steps on a high school football field these days, he leaves little doubt as to who is the most skilled player in the game.
Johnson did that immediately on Friday night when he took the opening kickoff at his own 8-yard line, weaved his way through Plantation’s coverage team and sped off to the end zone for a touchdown.
Unfortunately for Dillard, an illegal block nullified the result of the highlight-reel play.
The next three touchdowns Johnson scored, however, counted and led the Panthers to a needed bounce back victory, 42-6, over the host Colonels at the PAL Athletic Complex in Plantation.
The Panthers (3-3), ranked No. 11 in the Miami Herald’s South Florida rankings, endured the letdown of a 24-6 loss to district rival St. Thomas Aquinas last week. It was Dillard’s third loss this season to an opponent ranked in the top 10 nationally (Hollywood Chaminade, Miami Central).
But Dillard responded Friday with a convincing performance which came in spite of an hour, 10-minute lightning delay in the first quarter, as it tries to solidify an at-large playoff berth in Region 4-3M.
Johnson, a 5-11, 180-pound, 4-star prospect with over 35 FBS offers, capped that opening drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, which he punctuated with a punishing hit on a Plantation defender as he crossed the goal line.
Johnson, who would leave the game midway through the third quarter along with the rest of Dillard’s starters after they built a 35-6 lead, finished with 96 yards on 10 carries. He also scored on touchdown runs from 20 and one yard out.
Dillard quarterback Jorge Tabora completed 7 of 10 passes for 127 yards and one 8-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Striggles just before halftime.
Jace Williams led the Panthers defense with an 11-yard interception return for a touchdown, Tarrell Greene recovered a key fumble and Tre’Vaughn Martinez had one of Dillard’s three sacks in the first half.
The Colonels (4-2), ranked No. 14 by the Herald, capitalized on a muffed punt by Dillard to score their lone points late in the first quarter on a Dorian Sampson 1-yard touchdown run.
The Panthers will host Fort Lauderdale next Saturday in a district contest while Plantation returns to action on Monday, Oct. 24 in its annual Mayor’s Cup rivalry game against South Plantation at PAL Field.
This story was originally published October 15, 2022 at 8:51 AM.
