One Last Game: Central’s John Johnson Will Be Leaving for the Marines After Saturday’s Lacrosse Semifinal
Central’s Johnson Will Be Leaving for the Marines After Saturday’s Semifinal
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WHEELING -- John Johnson, a senior goalie on the Wheeling Central lacrosse team, stands tall every game protecting the goal.
His next mission will be to protect America.
Following the state semifinal on Saturday against George Washington, Johnson will be heading off to join the Marines.
He'll leave on Sunday for boot camp in Paris Island, South Carolina for 13 weeks.
"After boot camp I will head to Fort Lee, which is an Army base," Johnson said. "I will be there for my job school with becoming a parachute packer or also known as an airborne delivery specialist. From there I will be going to my duty station, which I am hoping to be in either Okinawa, Japan or Hawaii."
Johnson knew last summer when talking to a friend what he wanted to do. Now he is making it happen.
"Last summer one of my friends, Alex Postle, was talking to me," Johnson said. "He just got back in town from all of his training and we were able to talk about it. That's when I knew."
One word is written on the back of the Wheeling Central lacrosse helmets -- FAMILY.
That word means a great deal to Johnson, as well. In fact, he sees a lot of similarities in lacrosse and the Marines.
"It's like a big family," Johnson said. "With the Marines being the smallest branch, it's going to be even tighter. It's a family, just like this team. I'm ready to get out there and take on the adventure."
In the quarterfinal victory against Wheeling Park, Johnson was recognized for his stellar performance, holding the rival Patriots to just four goals.
"Johnson got the final game ball," Central lacrosse coach Kevin Maloney said. "The last fury of shots came at him and he stepped up and he did a remarkable job."
Today, Johnson gets to suit up one final time with his teammates with a trip to the state championship on the line for the defending champions. However, if that does occur, Johnson won't be on the field for the title game but he plans to give everything he has to give his teammates the opportunity to make it happen.
"I really just want to get out there and get some good saves," Johnson said. "A lot of us have been together since the fifth grade when we were with the Phantoms. We're all a big family here and even the new players who are in their first year playing is a part of that family."
If the Knights are able to defeat George Washington today and bring back a second straight state crown next week, the Knights will celebrate the title and their brave teammate.
"He is shipping off to service Sunday," Maloney said. "By any chance we get to the championship, we are going to celebrate the fact that he is making a big sacrifice for our nation. We're going to send him off the best way we know how."