Sep 2, 2009

Eagle Tribune: Sack artist Johnson wreaks havoc on opposition

Lawrence Taylor Sack artist Johnson wreaks havoc on opposition
By Mike McMahon/mmcmahon@eagletribune.com

Link to the Article in Wednesday's Eagle Tribune

NORTH ANDOVER — His coaches describe him as a "physical specimen" and "freak of nature."

After a freshman season in which he finished fourth in the country with 11 1/2 sacks, he has lived up to the billing.

But Tony Johnson, Merrimack's soft-spoken linebacker, only feels as if he's doing what he's supposed to — playing hard.

It was a philosophy instilled in him by one of his mentors, Harold Watler. Johnson grew up with Watler's son, Alex, as his best friend. Watler coached Johnson throughout Pop Warner and high school.

Having been in foster care since fifth grade, Johnson gravitated towards Watler as a father figure. The former Lynn Classical quarterback made sure Johnson stayed on the right track.

"He made sure I was a good kid," said Johnson, who also starred at Classical. "He was the guy that really interested me in football when I was a kid. Growing up, he always made sure we played hard, and for me personally, he made sure my grades were up and made sure I stayed out of trouble. He kept me on the right track."

Johnson opened the eyes of the NCAA last season, but it wasn't much of a surprise to head coach John Perry.

Now in his second year at Merrimack, Perry recruited Johnson when he was on the staff at UNH. After taking the Merrimack job, he made a call to UNH. After finding out UNH wasn't going to offer the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder, Perry jumped at the opportunity.

"When he called me, I was getting nervous," Johnson said. "He called me to tell me he took the job (at Merrimack) and I didn't know, so I was relieved; I think I told him, 'I haven't heard from you in a while, I was getting nervous.' I really felt like Coach Perry understood me as a person and a player. I wouldn't be at Merrimack if Coach Perry weren't here."

Johnson's biggest strength is rushing the passer but he's simply a superb athlete. He made 68 tackles as a senior at Lynn Classical, including 11 sacks, and also caught 16 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns as a tight end. He also was the team's punter.

His senior season he was named the North Shore Defensive Player of the Year and played in the prestigious Shriners All-Star Game.

"He's tremendously fast," said Perry, who guided the Warriors to a 6-4 mark last season. "It's funny because he wasn't even really a starter for us last year. We knew we had a Division 1 player at a Division 2 school, but I don't believe in rushing a kid into things so we were taking it slow. But, he made us put him on the field. He's just a playmaker.

"He has the speed to drop back into coverage but he's such a great pass rusher. We want him on the quarterback. He has a knack for getting through the blockers and applying pressure."

Johnson hits like a Mack Truck, forcing four fumbles. Against AIC last season returned an interception 46 yards for a score and 20 of his 32 tackles went for a loss.

"We like to think of him as our Lawrence Taylor," Perry said. "He's just a playmaker. If he's on the field, something is going to happen."

Early makes the switch

Haverhill's Peter Early transferred from Holy Cross last spring. The former Hillie will move from wide receiver to defensive back.

"We need some help back there with (All-American) Andrew Jackson having graduated," Perry said. "We approached Peter and he offered to make a switch.

"He's incredibly fast. He'll probably do some returning for us at some point, too, because he has a lot of speed."

Season Outlook

Last season: 6-4 (4-3 Northeast-10)
Returning starters: Offense 8, Defense 5
Returning lettermen: 52 (33 newcomers)
Offense: Multiple (no huddle)
Defense: 3-4
Captains: Shane Brown, Bernard Cooper, Chris Laham, Jeremiah Watts
Coach: John Perry (2nd year, 6-4)
Returning leaders: James Suozzo (135 of 259, 1,569 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs), Richard Johnson (128 carries, 601 yards, 6 TDs), Jeremiah Watts (72 catches, 924 yards, 9 TDs), Shane Brown (76 tackles), Tony Johnson (11.5 sacks)


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