Cloverdale's Johnson eyes sectional crown

For the better part of Levi Johnson's football career at Cloverdale, playing for a sectional championship was a dream.

However, the senior running back has a chance to make that dream a reality tonight, as he and the Clovers (5-4) travels to Sheridan (6-5) for the Class A Sectional 46 championship. 

The opportunity to play for a sectional title is part of the culture change Johnson has not only seen but been a key part of over the last three years with head coach Tyler Lotz. 

"The culture has definitely changed around football. Having Coach Lotz be my coach and always pushing us to get better is amazing. I have wanted to win my whole life, but seemingly came up short many times. It is amazing to see the success we have had this year. We have done great things and not so great this season. I hope we can all just keep getting 1 percent better every day and prove to people that we are the real deal," Johnson told The Putnam County Post. 

Johnson continued, saying not only has the culture changed, but so too has how people view the Clovers. 

"We all work hard for what we want. None of us have gotten anything handed to us. Struggles with our team in the past, I feel like it has put us under the radar somewhat. I always have felt disrespected or looked down upon, but I believe I am a winner, and so do my teammates," said Johnson. 

On the season, Johnson has rushed for over 700 yards and has maintained the belief that he is the best running back around. 

"Having young, inexperienced linemen has always been an issue at Cloverdale. It definitely limited the amount of things you can do on offense in previous years, but our line has improved leaps and bounds. Running the ball has everything to do with up front. I always loved running back. There was something savvy to me when I watched the running back hit a gap, get hit and get right back up and do it again. It just feels like how football should be," said Johnson, who holds an offer from Wabash. 

In Sheridan, the Clovers will find a team coached by legend Bud Wright, who has 462 wins in 59 seasons. The Blackhawks knocked off Clinton Central and Clinton Prairie in the first two rounds of the sectional tournament. Sheridan enters averaging 24 points and allowing 18. 

Despite all the tradition and history surrounding Sheridan, Johnson is focused solely on him and Cloverdale.

And, trying to bring a sectional title home to the Clovers. The last sectional title came in 1992 for the Clovers. 

"It would mean the world. Even having the chance to play one more game is a blessing from God. Me and my teammates have wanted to win our whole lives, but have fallen short. Being able to win a game of this significance with my teammates and family would mean the world," Johnson said.