Sophomore Takes to the Air to Lead Estancia to 30-27 Win

Sophomore quarterback Matt Johner had an impressive debut for Estancia High School, passing for 365 yards and three touchdowns and teaming with diminutive wide receiver Will Bohuslavizki on all three scoring plays to lead the Eagles to a 30-27 victory over Los Amigos Thursday at Davidson Field.

Johner threw scoring passes of 50 and 14 yards to Bohuslavizki in the final three minutes of play as Estancia wiped out a 27-17 deficit to gain its 11th victory in its past 12 games spanning two seasons.

The passing combination more than made up for a lack of experience. Estancia had only one returning starter off its Sea View League championship team and was starting a quarterback who isn’t old enough to drive.

But Johner showed plenty of poise, completing 18 of 26 passes for 365 yards and couldn’t miss when he threw the ball in Bohuslavizki’s direction. Bohuslavizki, a senior, also caught a 25-yard touchdown pass and was a one-receiver show in the final three minutes of play when he caught five passes for 138 yards.

“I only caught eight passes all of last season,” Bohuslavizki said. “I’ve never had a game like this in my life. This was the most exciting game I’ve ever played in. I must admit I got a little lucky on that second touchdown pass.”

Bohuslavizki’s 50-yard touchdown play was more of a juggling act than a pass reception. He caught the ball near the 30-yard line and managed to tip the ball around a defender, spin and then race to the end zone.

The play trimmed Los Amigos’ lead to 27-23 with 2:56 remaining to play, and then Johner successfully drove Estancia 71 yards for the winning touchdown with only 34 seconds left. It took only two pass plays to Bohuslavizki to drive Estancia to Los Amigos’ 15-yard line and then two plays later, Johner threw the game-winner.

Afterward, Estancia Coach John Liebengood presented a lecture on come-from-behind football, Estancia style.

“Lesson No. 1, we worked on the two-minute drill all week and then executed it,” he said. “And Lesson No. 2, we had a good quarterback and a hot receiver to pull it off. Matt Johner has a chance to become the best quarterback to ever come out of this school. He certainly had a great start.

“I can only think of one victory better than this one since I’ve been at this school and that was beating Corona del Mar for the title last year. This was a great confidence-builder for an awfully young team.”

The victory overshadowed an outstanding game by Los Amigos tailback Derick Ragsdale. Ragsdale gained 180 yards in 21 carries and scored two touchdowns. But he was held to two yards in three carries on Los Amigos’ last possession.