Damien Johnson turned in another top shelf performance with a four touchdown day, but Allen proved to be too much for Midland Legacy in a 52-35 win over the Rebels in the Conference 6A Region 1 semifinal game.
The loss ends the season for Midland Legacy. The Rebels won their conference with a 4-1 record and went 10-3 overall.
The game was much closer than the score made it appear, and in the beginning it looked like Midland Legacy might run away with things. They had a 14-0 lead after one quarter, with Johnson scoring twice from seven yards and 26 yards.
Midland Legacy senior RB Damien Johnson
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However, Allen would battle back in the second quarter with Quinton Hammonds running it in to cut the lead to a touchdown. They made it a 14-13 game on a rushing touchdown by Micah Ellis, and then 16-14 on a field goal by Brayden Nelson at the end of the half.
In the third quarter, Rebel QB Marcos Davila connected with Aiden Serrano on a 69-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-16 lead. It was the 11th touchdown of the season for Serrano. Allen responded with a pair of rushing touchdowns to make it a 31-21 game.
Johnson crossed the goal line for a one-yard score on a sweep play out of the shotgun at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Eagles scored again to go up 38- 28. Johnson made it a 38-35 game with plenty of time on the clock in the fourth, on a fantastic 31-yard touchdown run where he broke several tacklers. Allen went on to score two unanswered touchdowns to cap off the scoring and secure the win.
Johnson led the way with his four rushing touchdown performance. He is a player who can do it all, whether it is on offense or defense he is a difference maker. Johnson was known for his defense in previous years as a stud cornerback, but this year he had a breakout season at running back that revved up even more in the playoffs.
While he didn’t start playing running back full time until the fifth week of the season, he put up incredible numbers, amassing more than 1,800 yards rushing with 28 touchdowns. Johnson finished the season with 2,142 all purpose yards, 30 total touchdowns and ran for 9.7 yards per carry. He also had 16 tackles and an interception on defense. He was named the District 2-6A MVP this season.
Johnson has received a number of offers to play in college, and his performances down the stretch should give him even more stock. Shortly after the game he recently he received offers from West Texas A&M and Henderson State, and has also received an offer from Eastern New Mexico University.
Davila, who has committed to Purdue, threw his 27th touchdown pass of the season in the game. He also had four rushing touchdowns on the season, giving him 31 total scores. Davila was this year’s offensive MVP for District 2-6A.
Serrano reached the 1,000 receiving yard milestone in the win to go with his 11 touchdowns, capping off what was a fantastic junior year. Serrano, along with Brex Stevens, was named to the first team All-District team, as well.
Allen was led by a steady ground attack that produced 350 yards on 48 carries with seven scores. Ellis had 15 attempts for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Smith and Hammonds also scored twice, with 81 and 44 yards respectively. Kayvion Sibley rounded it out with 23 yards and a touchdown. Allen QB Dylan Chapman was 13-for-20 for 137 yards.
The Eagles will move on to the regional finals against North Crowley.