Bouncing back from their early loss from Crown Point, Merrillville is on a six-game winning streak as they approach the start of sectionals Friday. The team has several hidden gems, one being the dynamic duo of JQ Johnson and Cameron Jordan.
Junior JQ Johnson, running back for Merrillville, partnered with Cameron Jordan this season,
“Cam is like the faster version of me, and I’m just the stronger version,“ Johnson said. “I look at him as a brother.”
Johnson values the bond he has with Jordan.
“For example when I fumbled against Michigan City I had my head down,” Johnson said, “then Cam came up to me and picked my head up and told me we are going to get the ball back.”
The duo is making a strong impact. Johnson is averaging 97.3 yards per game and 11 touchdowns, while Jordan has 100 yards per game with 14 touchdowns.
“The coach doesn’t put too much pressure on me and he doesn’t put too much pressure on Cam. We share reps evenly,” Johnson said.
Jordan, a sophomore, calls Johnson a great teammate and someone to look up to.
“I have been looking up to him since freshman year, and I learned a lot from him,” Jordan said, “If he wasn’t here I probably wouldn’t be having the same level of success.”
The pair have been supported tremendously by coaches and teammates.
“They always support me and make sure I do what I have to do,” Jordan said.
Johnson specifically gives praise to running back coach Denzel Pierce.
“Everything he says happens, when he teaches us things to do in the game, it works like magic,” Johnson said.
Johnson was out with a minor injury in Merrillville’s last game against Chesterton. However, with the postseason approaching, Johnson has big goals for the outcome of the season.
“My goal would be to get all conference, and win State because we haven’t done that since 1976,” Johnson said.
