Boys’ Athlete of the Week : Identical Twin Weston Johnson Looks Like a Winner

Corona del Mar High School football Coach Dave Holland is confused. That’s generally how it is when it comes to the Johnson brothers, Weston and Warren.

And why should Holland be any different?

Weston and Warren Johnson are identical twins. Both are 6-feet 2-inches and 175 pounds. Both play wide receiver and defensive back.

It can make things a little difficult for Holland.

“Unless they have their uniforms on, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart,” Holland said. “One of them does have a scar on his nose, but I can’t remember which one it is.”

For the record, Weston is the one with the scar, something he received as a kid while crawling under a magazine rack.

Last Thursday, though, Holland had no problems identifying his players.

First of all, Warren Johnson wasn’t in uniform. He was out with mononucleosis.

Secondly, Weston was easy to spot. He was the one intercepting passes and returning them for touchdowns.

Johnson, The Times’ athlete of the week, intercepted 3 Dana Ripley passes against Santiago, returning 2 for touchdowns. He also caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ty Price as the Sea Kings routed the Cavaliers, 52-8, for their third consecutive victory.

“We knew he (Ripley) was (Orange County’s) top-rated passer,” said Johnson, who returned interceptions 37 and 38 yards for scores. “We worked all week on their pass patterns. We knew how their plays developed and where he liked to throw the ball.”

Johnson’s performance increased the family’s interception total to 5. Weston has 4 and Warren, who is out at least 2 more weeks, has 1.

But Weston, a junior, isn’t about to start bragging to his brother.

“Warren’s pretty sick,” Weston said. “I’ve had mono so I know how bad he feels right now.”

But after he feels better?

“Well . . . “

The Johnson brothers have a good sense of humor. And being identical twins gives them plenty of opportunity to use it.

Last year, they decided to switch places for one day. Just one class, to see what would happen.

Weston attended Warren’s science class, and his brother went to English class. Neither teacher noticed the switch.

“The kids all knew, but no one would tell,” Weston said. “When the teachers did find out, they thought it was funny. No one got mad.”

There was one problem. It seems Warren, taking Weston’s spot, picked up a detention in English class.

“The teacher thought it was me,” Weston said. “All the kids in the class knew it was Warren, so they kept talking to him, getting Warren into trouble. I got the detention.”

Apparently, the teacher didn’t realize Weston was the one with a scar on his nose.

TOP PERFORMERS

Running back Coy Collins of Loara rushed for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 89 yards rushing in the first quarter, as the Saxons shut out Canyon, 26-0.

Running back/wide receiver Eric Ekdahl of Mission Viejo accounted for all his team’s points in a 24-3 victory over Fountain Valley. Ekdahl caught touchdown passes of 5 and 9 yards and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass. He also kicked 3 extra points and a 46-yard field goal for the Diablos.

Running back Gus Miranda of Edison rushed for 159 yards on 28 carries and scored 2 touchdowns in the Chargers’ 28-14 victory over Long Beach Jordan. Miranda has scored 5 of the team’s 8 touchdowns this season.

Running back Johnny Mountain of Anaheim rushed for 208 yards on 37 carries and scored 2 touchdowns in the Colonists’ 21-7 victory over Kennedy.

Defensive lineman Matt Werner of Esperanza had 5 sacks for minus-47 yards in the Aztecs’ 14-12 victory over Westminster.

Weston Johnson

Corona del Mar High

Position: Defensive back/receiver

Height, Class: 6-2, 175, Junior

Last Week: Johnson intercepted 3 passes against Santiago, returning 2 for touchdowns. He also caught a touch down pass, as Corona del Mar defeated Santiago, 52-8.

Season: Johnson has 4 interceptions and 5 receptions for 94 yards and 1 touchdown.