Two senior football standouts from Augustus Hawkins High School got a chance to expose their talents on the national stage at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on January 7 in San Antonio, Texas.
Senior wide receiver Joseph Lewis and senior defensive back Greg Johnson teamed up with other west coast players in the annual East vs West challenge, the bowl highlighted the top 100 high school football players in the nation.
The West coast team lost, falling 17-27 against the East coast. The East kept the West to 144 total yards. Johnson earned one assisted tackle, stopping a 13-yard run in the third quarter.
Hawkins football head coach Mil’Von James noted that it was an honor to have his players selected to play in the bowl game.
“You don’t believe that Hawkins High School, a fourth year school, our four-year football program has two, actually three Army All Americans,” James said.
Johnson and Lewis have been sought after by many universities. Johnson is scheduled to visit USC later on this month; his offers include No. 1 Alabama, No. 4 Washington, and Arizona, according to ESPN. The defensive back executed 38 solo tackles and made five interceptions during the 2016 season and post season. He also made 122 carries for 1377 yards as a running back.
“Greg Johnson is a great combination of power and finesse, he knows when to use his strength and when to use his finesse,” James said. “You don’t find too many high school athletes who can do both. Who can maul you and then beat you with just pure technique.”
Lewis has offers from Florida, California, Auburn, and other schools. Lewis racked up 555 receiving yards during the 2016 season, according to MaxPreps.
“He’s what we call an ultimate competitor,” James said in regards of Lewis. “He has a unique combination of size and speed.”
Both players come off a dazzling season by helping the Hawkins Hawks to a 10-0 overall record. The Hawks clinched the top spot of the Coliseum League, but lost to the Los Angeles Romans during the division II City Section Championship.
“Every game hasn’t been a complete blowout. We and to fight and our kids were resilient and they were tough and they continued to fight,” James said. “It’s just a testament to them and my coaching staff and the work we put in together.”
Junior wide receiver Jalen Hall will be in the 2018 U.S. Army All American Bowl.
