‘Steady Eddie’: Eddie Johnson provides leadership on and off the field for Solon football

SOLON – Eddie Johnson may have earned a new nickname.

He has heard it and doesn’t mind it. Solon football coach Lucas Stanton has heard it and thinks it suits the senior running back and defensive end well.

“They’ve called him ‘Steady Eddie.’” Stanton said. “I’ve seen it out there a little bit. I don’t know if the guys have taken to it, yet. I think it’s a pretty fitting name because he is pretty steady.”

Consistent, reliable and dependable. Johnson has exhibited those qualities and a knack for big plays out of the backfield. He has become a leader for the top-ranked Spartans, who host No. 3 Mount Vernon Friday night in a non-district Class 3A clash at Spartan Stadium.

Time will tell if “Steady Eddie” sticks but he has been a regular contributor this season, rushing for 461 yards (153.7 per game) and seven touchdowns with 55 receiving yards and a score.

“I’ve been hearing it the last couple weeks,” Johnson said. “I thought of it as a funny thing but it makes sense.”

Woven into the tangibles that make him a stable presence is a team-first attitude. Johnson sacrificed his personal preference and switched to an H-back/wingback and tight end hybrid to get the Spartans’ best athletes on the field.

Johnson still produced with 636 total yards and nine TDs a year ago. Solon’s 3A state semifinal appearance and 10 victories was more important.

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“Last year, we had a lot of talent,” Johnson said. “I realized that if I wanted to get on the field I should do what the coaches wanted me to do. It’s good for us when we have more talent spread out. When everyone is selfless, you have a pretty good team.”

Stanton said he knew it wasn’t Johnson’s first choice but accepted the role for the team’s benefit. Stanton said it was indicative of his selfless personality.

“It made us a little more dynamic on offense to have guys on the field at the same time,” Stanton said. “He could do all those things we needed that guy to do, too, which was block, run the ball and catch the ball.

“It wasn’t necessarily his favorite thing to do. It speaks to who he is as a person, as a player that puts that aside to do what is best for the team.”

Johnson has returned to the backfield full time this year. Not only has he received more carries, he has made the most of them. Johnson has averaged 8.7 yards per carry, doubling his career rushing yardage already and is four TDs shy of his season best.

“He’s improved a bunch as a player,” Stanton said. “He’s getting those opportunities and he’s taken off with them. I don’t think it’s one or the other. It’s a mix of both.

“He’s a threat every time. It takes more than one or two guys to bring him down. If we tracked yards after contact, that would be a pretty incredible stat for him. He’s a tough runner.”

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is a strong runner between the tackles. Johnson said he is a downhill runner. He is strong enough to run through defenders and swift enough to go around them, too.

Johnson has enjoyed his job.

“I like running back a lot more,” said Johnson, replacing last year’s leading rusher Conlan Poynton, who transferred to Clear Creek Amana. “It’s cool that I’ve got the opportunity. I like it because you kind of get to take control of the game. Your teammates really need you. It’s up to you and your offensive line. You can really take over a game.”

Johnson is coming off a career game, rushing for 203 yards and two TDs on 16 carries in a 55-2 win over Central DeWitt. That followed a five-TD performance in a 42-14 victory over CCA. Johnson rushed for 138 yards and four scores, adding 28 receiving yards and a TD.

“I was just running in the touchdowns,” Johnson said modestly. “I was doing the easy work. That was probably a highlight (and) one of my biggest games.”

Johnson isn’t a one-trick wonder. He also plays defensive end, tallying 11 tackles, nine solo, five for loss and two sacks. He remains on the field for most of the game, playing some special teams and getting a few breathers on offense.

“He’s just a football player,” Stanton said. “He could literally play anywhere on the field for us and give us the same effort and production that you see at running back and defensive end.”

One of his memorable football moments came on defense against Mount Vernon in 2023. A Solon blitz produced a fumble that Johnson scooped and ran 61 yards for a TD in a 37-20 road victory.

“That was a fun game over there,” Johnson said. “It was their last game on the grass field. … It was one of my highlights last year.”

Solon fields a young team. The senior class is smaller than normal for the Spartans. Johnson and a handful of others have grasped the leadership reins. He worked hard in the offseason to improve that aspect, working on becoming more vocal. His strength continues to be leading by example.

“He plays so hard and goes so hard that he’s an easy guy to follow,” Stanton said. “He’s put himself in a position where I think it’s about the way he’s carried himself.

“As good of a football player he is, he’s as a good kid. His character, integrity, how he does things the right way, which has put him in the position where he’s at. Personally, as a coach, it’s good to see good people who do things the right way start to get a little credit.”

Solon and Mount Vernon are both 3-0. The Spartans have won 15 of the last 17 meetings with Mount Vernon, which swept two meetings in 2022. Solon got back on the winning side last year and expects another battle with the Mustangs.

Stanton said games between highly-ranked teams comes down to basics and taking care of the football.

“It’s a game we look forward to, especially at our place,” Stanton said. “We’re looking forward to playing a top-ranked team and embracing the moment. I think this is a good chance to measure where we’re at as a team. I think the guys are excited to go out and make a statement.”

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