WASECA — For those who can’t.
It’s four words Waseca senior Jordan Johnston keeps in the back of his mind as the Blue Jays soar toward a state title.
So far he’s racked up 966 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as the team’s primary running back. The Blue Jays are one win away over Annandale from a Class AAA state title at 1 p.m. Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
But Johnston’s path to Saturday’s title game isn’t ordinary. His path is one traveled by few and is the reason why the words “for those who can’t” ring true to him.
Johnston bounced back from ACL tears in both knees.
“I’m definitely grateful for being in this position,” Johnston said after last weekend’s 14-13 semifinal win over Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton. “I’m really proud of the team for how we’ve battled through adversity this season.”
In his first stroke of bad luck, Johnston tore his right ACL at the tail end of his sophomore year of football. He underwent successful surgery to repair the tear.
And while the physical aspect was obviously painful, Johnston admits the mental aspect hurt worse.
“That’s something that people don’t really understand,” he said. “The mental part is definitely very difficult. You want to be out there playing sports while you can’t.”
Johnston made a full recovery. He was set to hit the ground running for his junior season.
On his first day back to playing sports he played basketball with his friends the summer before his junior season was to begin. It was a simple time to have fun after months of being unable to do much physical activity. What could possibly go wrong?
Then, as he was running down the floor, everything went wrong. He tore the ACL in his left knee.
And suddenly, after he thought everything was in line for him to enjoy his junior year of football, he found himself back on the operating table.
The Blue Jays finished the 2024 campaign with a regular season record of 7-1. They beat Jordan 28-0 in their sectional opener before falling 17-12 to Fairmont in the sectional title game.
It was a season that Johnston admitted was incredibly difficult. Football is his favorite sport. He wanted nothing more than to help his friends achieve greatness.
“I wish I could be out there to help them. It was really hard that I had to be on the sideline the whole year.”
But the mental toll became less of a burden. Johnston said surrounding himself with friends on a daily basis helped him keep a positive mindset.
Assistant coaches Connolly Turek and Saiveon Williamson were also two important pieces Johnston credited in helping him stay positive.
“They played a huge role, especially Saiveon. He knew my time was coming,” Johnston said. “He kept telling me every other week my time was coming, to keep on working no matter what. He knew the mental drought was definitely playing a role in my life, because it was.
“He told me just to keep on working. My time was coming.”
Johnston’s time did come. He recovered fully from his second ACL injury. He blazed through summer camp. Then came the first day of practice. After nearly two years of being forced on the sidelines, Johnston was back on the field playing the game he loves.
“I could barely sleep the night before,” he said. “I was so excited to put the pads back on and be out with my friends.”
And so far he’s left an impression at Waseca preps for the state championship game.
He was able to get redemption over Fairmont in Week 3, racking up 147 yards and two touchdowns off 13 carries in a 21-14 victory. He had 135 yards and two scores off nine carries against Tri-City United in Week 5’s homecoming win.
There’s his three touchdown game, which included a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, against Albert Lea Week 7. There’s his 169-yard performance in the sectional semifinal game against Tri-City United, a game where his 31-yard score put a 21-0 win on ice. He racked up 140 yards in a 14-0 state quarterfinal game against Holy Family.
Then came last weekend’s showdown against DGF. A game where Johnston’s journey was sent to U.S. Bank Stadium. He racked up 67 yards off 15 carries as the Blue Jays’ defense played the hero in a 14-13 win.
And he continues to do it for those who can’t.
“It means do everything 100% for those people who want to be out but are injured, they can’t physically do it even though you don’t want to do it,” he said. “Do everything 100%, because some people just can’t physically be able to do it.”
There was never a doubt in returning to the field. But to this capacity and ability even has Johnston himself a bit surprised.
He’s also learned to appreciate every little moment
“I never really thought I would ever come back to my potential,” he said. “I’m really glad that I just kept working. The coaches kept pushing me on, my teammates and my friends kept pushing me to be my best. Even though you go through a little bit of adversity, it will come in return for you.”
It’s a feat that left Blue Jays head coach Brad Wendland in awe, something he’s never seen in 30 years of coaching.
“It would be really easy to have your head hung and think this isn’t for me. He never had a moment of that,” Wendland said after Saturday’s semifinal win. “There’s about .01% of the population that could do what he did, overcoming that both mentally and physically. He deserves so much credit.”