Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 — No. 2: Pine Bluff Quarterback Claude Johnson

When Bobby Bolding took over at Pine Bluff three years ago he found a player he could build a program around. Fresh out of junior high, quarterback Claude Johnson already had strong leadership skills.

“I’ve been a quarterback since peewee football, so (leadership) is natural,” Johnson said. “I didn’t do a lot of talking as a 10th grader. I did my talking on the field.”

The three-year starter made even more noise last year as a junior leading the Zebras to an 8-3 record and quarterfinal playoff appearance.

“It felt good, but we still didn’t reach where we were trying to get to,” Johnson said. “We wanted a state championship. This year is the year to do it.”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder ranks No. 2 in the Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 Central Arkansas football players’ countdown.

The VYPE Super Squad member passed for 2,793 yards with 34 touchdowns and just three interceptions last fall. Bolding gave Johnson more and more freedom. The coach expects Johnson to open things up after the Zebra rookie linemen learn the system.

“It gives me a better chance to lead the team,” Johnson said. “(Bolding) is going to give me the keys to the ignition, and I’m gonna go out there and start it.”

Showcasing his ability running (4.51 speed) and throwing could also improve his college stock. Ole Miss offered a scholarship, and then withdrew. Louisiana-Monroe and Central Arkansas are Johnson’s only offers, but Bolding said he could visit Kentucky and Mississippi State is also interested.

The recruiting snub inspired Johnson to work even harder this summer. He’s decided to worry less about recruiting and concentrate on winning the school’s first state title since 1995. The Zebras are heavily favored and ranked No. 1 in 6A the VYPE/AAA preseason coaches’ poll.

“It would mean a lot,” Johnson said. “People come and talk to us all the time that were on the previous state championship teams. It would mean a lot to us, and to the city of Pine Bluff.”

Johnson knows Bolding counts on him to pave the path to War Memorial Stadium.

“I just need to work harder in practice and lead by example,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to show everybody we can do it, if we do it as a team.”

“I just want to win a state championship,” Johnson said. “I want to help on both sides of the ball, but if they don’t want me to I’ll just help at quarterback. If they need me on the other side, I’m wiling.”