As my childhood hero, George Jefferson, often said, “We are movin’ on up.” Onward and upward to bigger and better things as the Johnnies dispensed of the Redlands Bulldogs with relative ease last Saturday in the friendly confines of Clemens Stadium. Bring on the Dutch of Central College who are starting to become an annual playoff opponent for the J’s. My sources tell me they’ve discovered the lost art of the forward pass and have integrated it into their offense to create a potent, diversified attack that has not been seen out of Pella in many years.
Alex Kofoed scores the first touchdown against Redlands
The Johnnies go as 4th year starting senior quarterback Alex Kofoed goes. It is that cut and dry at these crucial junctures in the playoff dance. The cream is starting to rise to the top of the heap and I believe that Alex’s legacy in Johnnie football lore will be determined by how deep of a run he can lead this Cardinal and Blue machine on this postseason. If he fails to lead the Johnnies out of the West Region for the 4th year in a row as the starting QB, he’ll leave SJU with a gawdy resume of records and unbelievable statistics, but without the ultimate prize of the Walnut and Bronze.
Many longtime Johnnie backers had dreams on that fateful day 4 years ago at Clemens Stadium against Wisconsin-Eau Claire when Alex took the reins and led the Johnnies back to a near miraculous win that he could follow in the steps of Keating and Linnemann bringing the J’s back to Salem again. So far that promise has been left largely unfilled as a juggernaut of Wisconsin-Whitewater has stood in the way the past 2 years. The time is now to make an imprint on Johnnie football history. Carpe Diem Alex!
Notes:
- Don’t forget to stop by Jaarsma Bakery in the downtown Pella square for some of the world famous Dutch letters on the way to the game. These delicious pastries with an Almond filling and a light sugary topping are not to be missed.
- The Johnnie’s tailgate party will be traveling to Pella for the game on Saturday. Things should get rolling around 8am so if you are driving from the Twin Cities on Saturday morning you better heed my buddy DustySJU’s advice “we either leave at 5am or we get home at 5am, it’s just how we roll”.
