Michael Johnson celebrates after a touchdown earlier this season. Photo courtesy of Chris Sweda – Chicago Tribune.

At Joliet Catholic, though, tradition always seems to be a factor, the 13 state championships, the too-long-to-list names of great players past, the recent run of star running backs.

Not for Michael Johnson.

And now he’s part of the lore.

With a powerful, experienced group of linemen paving the way, Johnson has been running wild and the Hilltoppers are a dominant 5-0.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior has rushed for 1,076 yards and 19 touchdowns on 108 carries, adding 11 receptions for 325 yards and five scores. If he keeps it up, the 14th state championship Joliet Catholic has been waiting nearly a decade for could be in its grasp.

Johnson is the Tribune/WGN-9 Athlete of the Month for September.

Excerpts taken from Mike Helfgot’s Chicago Tribune article published on October 3, 2015: “Tribune/WGN-9 Athlete of the Month: Joliet Catholic’s Michael Johnson”. Click Here to read the article in its entirety.