Sports Spotlight on Layne Johs | Video

Scott Westerberg | 8/8/2012

The recipe for Bismarck High`s success on the football field over the years comes down to controlling the line of scrimmage and establishing the running game. That formula will be in place once again this fall with the return of this week`s Sports Spotlight, Layne Johs.

Bismarck High once again reached the pinnacle in 2011. The seniors on that team went out with a win, and now the class behind them is hoping to end their careers the same way.

"We just know it`s our last year and our last shot. We won last year, but we don`t want to be the team that loses this year," Johs said.

Johs was a big part of last season`s success, but it wasn`t all fun and games for Layne. He missed two games late in the season with a hip injury. His absence was eased with the emergence of Ricky Purtle, but still, standing on the sidelines was tough on Johs.

"It was really tough for me, but had to do it, couldn`t go. I knew Ricky could step in and do bettter than I would have been able to. That was tough though."

Both Johs and Purtle are back for the Demons, but according to head coach Mark Gibson, the offense will be focused on one guy this fall.

"It`s all going to center on Layne Johs. He`s worked hard to get to where he`s at and he`s a kid that knows what he wants," said head coach Mark Gibson.

What Johs has always wanted was to continue the legacy of great running backs to wear the maroon and white.

"It`s always been my dream and to be a running back at Bismarck High, it`s an honor."

"I had his brother my very first year at Bismarck High and Layne was just a little guy and back then he bled Bismarck High and his room at home had a big Demon head on it. He`s a kid that, he knew at this point where he wanted to get to and he`s worked to get to this point," Gibson said.

But being a Demon comes with the added pressure and expectations of not only winning games but winning championships.

"It`s a little pressure, but it`s mostly just practicing hard, doing the right thing in the off-season and get ready for the season when it comes," Johs said.

And after spending part of 2011 watching from the sidelines, Johs won`t need much motivation to play every snap as if it`s his last at Bismarck High.

Johs and the Demons open up the 2012 season on the road at West Fargo on August 24.

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