Dakereon Johnson Honors Father's Memory, Dominates Defenses

Dakereon Johnson Honors Father's Memory, Dominates Defenses

Fort Dorchester quarterback Dakereon Johnson is among the best dual threat quarterbacks in the country.

Aug 28, 2017 by Kolby Paxton
Dakereon Johnson Honors Father's Memory, Dominates Defenses
The following article was provided by South Carolina high school football expert Will Helms of Palmetto Preps.

Fort Dorchester quarterback Dakereon Joyner has been lighting up the scoreboard in South Carolina for several years, but as his senior season moves on, he's focused more on winning another championship than putting up gaudy numbers.

The Patriots, currently ranked second in Class 5A, are coming off a 12-2 campaign that felt more disappointing than it should have, as both of the team's losses were to Friday's opponent, No. 1 Dutch Fork. The Silver Foxes routed Joyner's Fort Dorchester team twice on their way to a perfect 15-0 record and the state's first 5A title.

Watch Fort Dorchester at Dutch Fork LIVE on FloFootball on Friday, Sept. 1!

This year, the recent University of South Carolina commit will look for a huge game on the road against a scary Dutch Fork defense. As he has throughout his career, Joyner will play Friday in memory of his late father.

The No. 10 dual-threat in the country and reigning Gatorade Player of the Year announced his commitment to the Gamecocks on June 28, Father's Day, a holiday that holds a special place in Joyner's heart. Joyner's father passed away nearly 10 years ago. Now, the senior seeks to honor his dad in everything he does.

It's made Joyner a better player. He's the first one to come and last one to leave during workouts, universally praised by his coaches and teammates as a hard worker. He's fought through adversity, constantly working to prove he is a true quarterback, not simply an athlete who can throw.


Joyner's Patriots, now 2-0, got off to a slow start this year, being shut out in the first half of their season opener against Dorman on Aug. 18. As the second half began though, the offense was completely different, as Joyner led the team on four long drives, all ending in touchdowns. Joyner was nearly perfect as the Patriots put the game out of reach, throwing for two scores and adding two more on the ground during the run.

Against Dutch Fork, however, the Patriots offense cannot experience another scoreless half and expect to win.

The Silver Foxes have arguably the best defense in the state and allowed just 16 yards in the first half of their August 18 win over Independence (NC). A well-disciplined and highly athletic team, Dutch Fork will look to ride its strong defense to another state title in 2017.

It's games like this where Joyner's athleticism and ability to extend plays could be a huge factor. Joyner is not just an athletic body behind center though, as the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year's passing statistics show.



As a junior, Joyner threw for over 3,600 yards and 44 touchdowns, both top five in the state, in addition to his 1,000-yard, 12-touchdown year on the ground. Already this season, the senior has shown improvement as a passer. In three quarters of action against Colleton County, Joyner was a cool 13-of-17 passing for 253 yards and four touchdowns.

To beat the Silver Foxes though, Joyner will have to be more than special. In last year's loss to Dutch Fork in the state semifinals, Joyner put up huge numbers, completing 60 percent of his passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 166 yards and a score on the ground. Still, the Patriots lost big, 49-24, despite getting out to an early lead.

Joyner's athleticism put Dutch Fork's elite defense on the ropes in the first quarter of the second meeting between the two teams. Several times in the first few drives, Joyner was able to evade blitzers and find open men downfield. Joyner's ability to escape pressure is one of the traits that has college coaches raving.

Though several months remain between now and National Signing Day, Joyner remains unwavering in his commitment to South Carolina. It looks as if the Gamecocks are content to keep him as their only class of 2018 quarterback recruit.

Another solid performance Friday at Dutch Fork would go a long way toward silencing Joyner's critics. True, he could use some work on his mid-level accuracy, but his placement in Trent Dilfer's Elite 11 speaks for itself.

A state champion as a sophomore starter, Joyner is looking for one more title as a senior. A win Friday would put the Patriots in prime position to earn home field throughout the playoffs, if Joyner continues to play at a high level.

When the spotlight is on, Joyner will be ready.

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