For the past three seasons, Javonte Johnson has been the steady, but capable, backup to New Iberia Senior High quarterback Jordy Joseph, as well as a regular in the receiver rotation.

Now with Joseph graduated and a walk-on at Tulane, Johnson steps into his first starting role as quarterback for the Yellow Jackets when they travel to face longtime rival St. Martinville Friday.

“I feel pretty good about,” said Johnson. “I can’t wait for it. I’ve been waiting for this since my freshman year when I became a backup to Jordy.”

While he was backing up Joseph, Johnson was learning everything he could from the former starter.

“Everything he did, I asked questions as to why he did it,” said Johnson, who got to see some action at quarterback in mop up duties the past two years before getting the starting nod and playing in NISH’s scrimmage against Breaux Bridge and the jamboree against Westgate. 

“He gave me reasons why I should do something or not do something. Everything I know as a quarterback, I learned from Jordy.”

All of which goes to make Johnson a more than capable choice to lead the offense, according to NISH coach Rick Hutson.

“I’m confident,” said Hutson. “But it doesn’t matter if I’m confident if he’s not. That’s the big thing.”

Hutson said he wants to make sure Johnson feels comfortable with the gameplan that NISH will use Friday against St. Martinville.

The Jackets’ head coach never wants to be in a position where Johnson is not comfortable with the gameplan. To that end, Hutson will do with Johnson what he did for the past three years with Joseph: Give him the game plan a day or two before the contest and ask him to go through it and pick out the plays that Johnson feels the most comfortable with.

“At that point we’ll make our script of what we want to run and incorporate those plays early in the game to give him some confidence,” said Hutson. “I know that he has all the tools to be the starting quarterback, but knowing you can do (something) and actually doing it are two different things.”

Neither Johnson nor Hutson feel that being on the road for the opener makes a difference one way or the other for the new starter.

“I just want to play,” said Johnson. “Whether that’s at home or on the road. I feel that I’m ready to be the quarterback for NISH and the team and I will do our best to bring home a win.”

Highland Baptist at Bethel Christian

On Thursday, Highland Baptist goes for another win in the Louisiana Christian School Athletic Association as the Bears travel to Jennings to face Bethel Christian in a game at Jennings High School’s practice field starting at 7 p.m.

The Bears (1-0) opened the season last week with a 34-18 win over New Orleans Home School. Running back Zach Gibbons and quarterback Zach Fleming rushed for more than 100 yards for Highland Baptist.

Bethel is in its first year of varsity football. 

The Eagles lost 52-0 to Covenant Christian last week in their season opener.

Central Catholic at Loreauville

Loreauville High opens its 2011 campaign Thursday as the Tigers play host to the Central Catholic Eagles in a matchup of Top 10 teams.

LHS is ranked fourth in Class 2A in the initial Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll that was released Monday night, while CCHS is ranked eighth in Class A.

Both teams are coming off of impressive jamboree performances. Loreauville beat Jeanerette 41-8 in the Iberia Parish Sugar Cane Jamboree while Central Catholic beat Berwick 41-0 in the St. Mary Parish Jamboree.