Welcome to a brand new year of the ArizonaVarsity Film Session. Next up, the incoming senior class of 2023. Every week, myself and/or Ralph Amsden will spotlight a player from the 2023 class and break down their film. Our goal is to continue to dedicate our platform for these athletes and to help them reach their goal of becoming student-athletes at the next level. If you wish to nominate a player for articles in the member only forums for upcoming weeks, hop into the TeamAZV message boards on to nominate a football player.
Eastmark 2023 WR Austin Johnston (6-0, 178)
Last Friday, Zach Alvira and I took a trip out to Eastmark High School to meet up with Firebirds' Head Coach, Scooter Molander, as well as interview some of the returning 2023 and 2024 Firebirds' players. I watched a ton of Eastmark film the night before to prep for the interviews, that's when I stumbled across 1st Team All-Arizona WR Austin Johnston's tape.
Johnston racked up 1186 yards receiving and 15 TDs in his Junior campaign for the Firebirds. The thing that jumped out immediately while watching Johnston's film was his superb route running. Johnston did a fantastic job of consistently getting opposing DBs on their heels with quick acceleration off the snap, all while creating separation with lightning bursts out of his breaks. Johnston shows his big playmaking ability by absolutely torching DBs on double-moves throughout the tape.
Diving into the film at the :41 second mark vs Poston Butte (4A runner-up last season), Johnston lines up on the short-side boundary. Poston Butte is in a 2-high look pre-snap, the opposing corner has deep-inside help from the safety with the pre-snap alignment. In the beginning of the play, Johnston drops his hips and breaks like he's running an out-route, getting the corner to bite up, he explodes passed not only the DB but also the safety, hauling in the deep pass for a large gain on the double-move.
On the very next play at the :57 second mark, Johnston shows off impressive footwork off the snap, completely leaving the corner on skates as he jabs inside faking the DB out, to get a free outside release. Johnston shows tremendous hand-eye coordination and athleticism going up to snag the deep pass at it's highest point, all while staying in bounds.
Johnston will be one of the best WRs in all of 3A next Fall, and I'm excited to see the big numbers that he'll put up.
Sponsors
AALL Insurance
People's Mortgage
Eastmark 2023 WR Austin Johnston (6-0, 178)
Last Friday, Zach Alvira and I took a trip out to Eastmark High School to meet up with Firebirds' Head Coach, Scooter Molander, as well as interview some of the returning 2023 and 2024 Firebirds' players. I watched a ton of Eastmark film the night before to prep for the interviews, that's when I stumbled across 1st Team All-Arizona WR Austin Johnston's tape.
Johnston racked up 1186 yards receiving and 15 TDs in his Junior campaign for the Firebirds. The thing that jumped out immediately while watching Johnston's film was his superb route running. Johnston did a fantastic job of consistently getting opposing DBs on their heels with quick acceleration off the snap, all while creating separation with lightning bursts out of his breaks. Johnston shows his big playmaking ability by absolutely torching DBs on double-moves throughout the tape.
Diving into the film at the :41 second mark vs Poston Butte (4A runner-up last season), Johnston lines up on the short-side boundary. Poston Butte is in a 2-high look pre-snap, the opposing corner has deep-inside help from the safety with the pre-snap alignment. In the beginning of the play, Johnston drops his hips and breaks like he's running an out-route, getting the corner to bite up, he explodes passed not only the DB but also the safety, hauling in the deep pass for a large gain on the double-move.
On the very next play at the :57 second mark, Johnston shows off impressive footwork off the snap, completely leaving the corner on skates as he jabs inside faking the DB out, to get a free outside release. Johnston shows tremendous hand-eye coordination and athleticism going up to snag the deep pass at it's highest point, all while staying in bounds.
Johnston will be one of the best WRs in all of 3A next Fall, and I'm excited to see the big numbers that he'll put up.
Sponsors
AALL Insurance
People's Mortgage
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