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Alter will have to watch out for Coshocton's Johnston

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 9:14 PM Thursday, November 26, 2009

Four years ago, Coshocton High School football coach Marty Arganbright got a visit from his wife during the school day.

She said that an eighth grader named Marcus Johnston had approached her during study hall and asked if the Arganbrights could take full custody of him. His mother was having troubles, and he wanted to be in a stable home.

“This is really a good kid,” Arganbright said. “He’s in the National Honor Society, he’s great to me and my wife, he was just in a difficult situation.”

Since, the adopted Johnston has helped put Coshocton into one of the best football situations in school history. As the No. 5 seed in Division IV, Region 15, the Redskins (11-2) have improved on defense and used two key rushers, including Johnston, in the Wing-T offense to advance to a Saturday state semifinal against 13-0 and top-ranked Alter at Hamilton Township High School.

Coshocton, a town of 14,000 about 75 miles northeast of Columbus, has embraced the football success as the team has advanced to a state semifinal for the first time in Arganbright’s 18 seasons at the school, including nine as the head coach.

To get there, the Redskins have relied heavily on Johnston (2,144 yards) and running back Dominique McClusky (1,193) in the run-oriented offense. The team was also toughened by playing in the East Central Ohio League populated by mostly larger schools.

Even though Coshocton is one of the final four D-IV teams in the state, the team finished third in its league, behind D-III Dover and D-II New Philadelphia (which finished 9-1 and missed the playoffs).

Linebacker Zach Shaw has helped the Redskins defense toughen during a playoff run in which Coshocton has beaten Zanesville West Muskingum, Amanda-Clearcreek and Ironton.

But the team’s key is Johnston, who has gained big yards while also playing linebacker and rebounding from a difficult upbringing.

“He has good vision, good size and excellent speed,” said Arganbright of the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Johnston. “He’s been consistent, and he does a lot for the team.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com