It Takes Two: CCHS Quarterbacks Command The Field

Before each Cooper City High School varsity football game, both junior quarterback Lemond Johnson and senior quarterback Sam Wilensky prepare to lead the team to victory. The team huddles up and Johnson and Wilensky give a quick speech to their fellow teammates. Their pep talk will inspire the rest of the squad for the game that is moments away. Although using two quarterbacks is rare, Cooper City will use Johnson and Wilensky throughout the game, keeping both fresh and eligible to perform at their best.

Both quarterbacks came to CCHS with one thing on their minds: football. Johnson transferred to CCHS after making the move from Raleigh, North Carolina to South Florida. Wilensky had previously attended American Heritage High School; however, when the football coach at American Heritage was fired he decided to transfer. After hearing about the previous success of the CCHS football team, Wilensky made the switch to Cooper City.

“The final factor that got me to come was hearing about how well Cooper City High School played last season,” Wilensky said.

Both Wilensky and Johnson began playing football as kids. Wilensky started in an optimist league for the Davie Broncos, while Johnson has been playing football as long as he can remember. It was during their development stage that they realized that quarterback was the position for them.

“As a kid I always played football, and whenever I would play, I was always the quarterback or the wide receiver,” Johnson said.

While Wilensky and Johnson have both taken on the quarterback position, each of them also plays other roles on the field. Wilensky plays wide receiver when Johnson is the quarterback, and Johnson also plays wide receiver when Wilensky is quarterback. When asked which position they enjoy the most, both respond with the same answer: Quarterback.

“Having two good quarterbacks allows me to do a lot more with the offense,” Coach Taylor said. “It puts a lot of stress on the opponent’s defense because both Lemond and Sam can run and pass.”

Wilensky and Johnson both feel that taking on the quarterback role is a big responsibility. Every offensive play is run through them, and they must also keep up a positive attitude at all times.

“You have to have leadership on and off the field as a quarterback,” Wilensky said “You must be positive, show respect, and keep up your grades.”

Both of the new quarterbacks have to be able to keep up with the shared offense. Wilensky and Johnson both get playing time. However, Wilensky usually gets the majority of the time at quarterback. Wilensky has been starting so far and Johnson will take the position later in the game. Although they are switching throughout the game, both quarterbacks feel it isn’t hard to adjust to.

“Playing with another quarterback gives a different feel of the game,” Wilensky said. “It’s not very hard to adjust during the game, I just always have to be ready.”

Having two quarterbacks also brings a new level of competition to the game. Wilensky and Johnson are constantly trying to out perform one another for playing time. On the field, Coach Taylor puts in whichever quarterback he feels is playing best.

“It’s good to have someone to battle against for playing time,” Johnson said. “It makes me constantly work as hard as I can.”

The Cowboys run a spread offense, which uses the run more than the passing plays. This works especially well for Johnson, who is the better runner of the quarterbacks. Wilensky usually comes out on first and second down and if third down comes, Johnson will sometimes be placed in the game.

“The difference between the two is that Wilensky’s first read is pass when he sees an open receiver while Johnson would rather leave the ball in his own hands and get the first down,” senior Jesse Mims said. “I receive most of my passes from Wilensky.”

Although the quarterbacks have been playing well they both want to work on different parts of their game. They want to improve and fix different aspects of their game.

“I want to become more of a pocket quarterback,” Johnson said. “Overall I just want to work on progressing.”

Johnson and Wilensky both have dreams of playing football in college. Johnson has his eyes set on the University of Miami, while Wilensky is trying to play football for an Ivy League school.

“I think that Sam and Lemond have an excellent chance of playing at the next level.” Coach Taylor said. “Sam has the grades and scores to go to an Ivy League school such as Brown or Princeton, and Lemond is only a junior but he also has a high GPA. I’m pretty sure we will be seeing them playing college ball.”

Whether either Wilensky or Johnson is in the game, they both try to perform at their very best to help the team succeed. So, no matter which quarterback is playing, the team can be sure that an excellent player will lead them on the field. Either way, the Cooper City Cowboy football team is in good hands.