Anthony Johnson earns Louisiana Mr. Football award

Not only did O.P. Walker (New Orleans) senior tackle Anthony Johnson repeat as Class 4A Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, but he capped a sensational career with his selection as the state's Mr. Football.

Both honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association came after a season in which Johnson amassed 129 total tackles, including 17½ quarterback sacks among his 48½ tackles for losses. He forced seven fumbles, intercepted a pass and recorded a safety.

"I don't think people truly understand just how passionate Anthony is about the game of football," O.P. Walker coach Emanuel Powell said. "I don't think people realize what a tremendous work ethic he has both on and off the field….Along with being tenacious on the field, he also has the smarts and wits to go with it."

Johnson also played on the offensive line for O.P. Walker, which earned a wildcard berth in the state playoffs and reached the semifinals for just the third time in school history. Johnson averaged 10 tackles per game for the Chargers, who lost to eventual state champion Franklinton.

"I thought I played really well, being a two-way starter in my senior year," said the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Johnson. "I really put forth the effort and dedicated myself to my team. I left it on the field...It's a very great award. I'm just so happy about it."

Johnson was a four-time All-District 10-4A selection and finished with 79 career sacks. He was just the third defender chosen as Mr. Football since the award was created 15 years ago. West Monroe linebackers Adam McConathy and Bradie James received the honor in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

Joining Johnson on the all-state team were Franklinton quarterback Terrance Magee and Karr (New Orleans) coach Jabbar Juluke.

Although Magee played quarterback, he made the all-state team at the athlete position. An LSU commitment, as well, Magee accounted for 4,004 yards and 54 touchdowns. Franklinton won 14 consecutive games after losing its season opener at Abilene, Texas. In tying the school record for victories, Franklinton won its first state title.
Magee completed 159 of 255 passes for 2,634 yards and 35 touchdowns with three interceptions. He also rushed for 161 times for 1,370 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Juluke guided Karr to its third District 10-4A crown in four years. Karr earned the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs and had a 13-game winning streak snapped in the championship game in falling to Franklinton in overtime, 34-28.{PAGEBREAK}WEST MONROE PAIR EARNS CLASS 5A HONORS
Although West Monroe finished second in the Class 5A state championship game, it swept the top two player awards on the LSWA all-state team.
Quarterback Paul Turner was named the Outstanding Offensive Player, while lineman teammate Chuck Hunter won the Outstanding Defensive Player award. St. Thomas More (Lafayette) coach Jim Hightower was chosen as Coach of the Year.

Turner, another LSU commitment, threw for 1,245 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also rushed for 916 yards and 17 touchdowns despite missing two games with an injury.

St. Thomas More was the only team to beat eventual state champion Acadiana (Scott) on the field. The Cougars defeated the Rams in the fifth week of the season, 42-17, only to lose to them in the state semifinals, 31-0, to finish with a 13-1 record.

Acadiana was forced to forfeit four games for having used an ineligible reserve player. The Rams put four players on the all-state team.

BECKHAM STILL WEIGHS OPTIONS
While LSU has reaped more than its share of state commitments, the Tigers are among those waiting to hear what highly prized Isidore Newman (New Orleans) wide receiver Odell Beckham will decide.

After receiving 22 scholarship offers, Beckham has narrowed his choices to LSU and Miami but doesn't seem in a hurry to make a decision before national signing day Feb. 2. Beckham will play Jan. 8 in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, where many recruits announce their college choices.

"I feel like once you make your commitment, you should be fully committed to that school," Beckham, a Class 2A All-State selection, told the Times-Picayune of New Orleans. "That's why I am taking my time. I didn't want to rush into anything, then find out later that maybe I didn't want to go there."

Beckham is Newman's first 1,000-yard receiver since Cooper Manning in 1991. Manning is the older brother of NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. Beckham's father, Odell Beckham Sr., was a running back for LSU and his mother, Heather Van Norman, was an LSU track athlete and later coached at Tulane.

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR AT CALVARY
Former Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport) state championship coach John Bachman Sr. has been hired to take over at city rival Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport) in what promises to be a family affair.

After one year on Bastrop's staff, Bachman replaces Bo Meeks, who left to become head coach at Airline (Shreveport).

Bachman will be joined by sons Thomas, who left Bastrop with his father and will become offensive coordinator, and John Jr. and Jason, who already where on the Calvary staff.

In three years at Evangel, John Bachman Sr. led the Eagles to the 2009 Class 2A state championship, and berths in the 2008 state finals and 2007 semifinals. He left Evangel with a 37-6 record.