YUKON – When Jaytee Johnson (Jr.) found out his season was over in Week 1 last year, he was devastated, but it didn’t deter him from getting back on the field.
He watched from the sideline as his brother Jaden gashed opposing defenses for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping lead the Mustang Broncos on a Class 6A-1 playoff run. He knew he could contribute in the same way if it weren’t for a fractured collarbone.
On Friday night at Miller Stadium, the Johnson twins became a dynamic duo once again as they helped guide Mustang to a 52-14 blowout win over the Yukon Millers in the team’s season opener.
Jaytee reeled in eight catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns in his return to the gridiron, looking much like Jaden did in 2023: unstoppable.
“I’ve been itching to get back on the field,” Jaytee said. “I just stayed the course… The coaches put me in the right position to score and my quarterback got me the ball where it needed to be.
“The Lord is good. I’m back because of Him. All glory to God.”
Jaytee Johnson (Jr.) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass during Mustang’s 52-14 win over the Yukon Millers on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Miller Stadium. Johnson finished with eight receptions for 161 yards and three touchdowns. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
The Broncos racked up 584 yards of offense. 196 of those yards came in the first quarter as they jumped out to a 17-0 lead. Coach Lee Blankenship’s squad cracked the 300-yard mark in the first 24 minutes as its advantage ballooned to 31-0 at halftime.
Quarterback Trajan Williamson (Sr.) had the same sentiment as Johnson as he made his way back to the field after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7 of 2023.
The 6-foot-1 signal caller wasn’t sure if he would ever be under center again, having broken his hand and index finger last year. He even thought of moving to tight end during the offseason.
But after going 21-for-23 for 339 yards and five touchdown passes, he’s confident the position change wasn’t needed.
“At first, I was struggling a little bit,” Williamson said of his mindset following the injury. “I just didn’t know what was going to happen, so I trained my butt off and got back to where I was. After that, I kept training and got better. That really encouraged me when the ball started coming back and spinning a little bit.”
Williamson also rushed for 65 yards, including a one-yard touchdown run that gave the Broncos an 8-0 lead following a two-point conversion early in the first quarter.
Trajan Williamson (Sr.) went 21-for-23 for 339 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-14 win over Yukon on Friday at Miller Stadium. He also rushed for 65 yards and one score. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Getting injured again doesn’t cross his mind. He continues to aggressively tote the ball, especially in short yardage situations where he often leaves his feat to clear his offensive line for first downs and scores. Or when he squares up with tacklers and usually wins the battle.
“I just like to smoke people,” Williamson said. “I don’t really care if I put my body on the line. If I get hurt, I get hurt. It’s whatever and fine with me. If you’re in my way, you’re getting destroyed.”
Mustang rushed for 245 yards on 41 attempts. Starting running back Taven Brown (So.) rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries while Latin Everheart (Sr.) changed pace with 42 yards on just five totes. Gerald Ackah-Mensah (Jr.) finished things up with 53 yards and a touchdown.
The Bronco defense, which was dominant all game, forced a safety and gave the team a 10-0 lead with 3:32 left in the first quarter. Mustang allowed just 176 total yards, including -29 rushing yards on 25 attempts.
“When the defense is clicking on all cylinders, you’re going to get a result like that,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to lie; it was just fun out there.”
“We come together every day in film and practice,” said defensive tackle Louie Jones (Sr.), who finished the game with four tackles, including two sacks. Jones, who is originally from Kansas, was happy to have a certain fan in the stands as his dad made the trip for his first Bedlam experience.
Defensive tackle Louie Jones (Sr.) finished with four total tackles, including one sack in Mustang’s 52-14 win over Yukon on Friday at Miller Stadium. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
“It’s pretty cool to have him drive five hours to see me from Kansas,” he said. “It was pretty nice.”
Emory Kelly (Sr.) also brought down Yukon quarterback Carter Creach twice while junior linebackers Josiah Stevens and Kaden Bachus each sacked him once. Stevens led the team with eight total tackles.
Safety Blaine Fulmer (Sr.) led the secondary with seven tackles, including one for a loss, while cornerbacks Waleed Gaines Jr. (Sr.) and Kayden Williams (So.) each finished with one interception.
Williamson and Johnson connected for their first touchdown pass just one minute after the team’s safety – a 12-yard pass-and-catch in the corner of the end zone for a 17-0 lead.
Jaden Johnson (Jr.) and Williamson made it 24-0 with a 32-yard touchdown early in the second quarter followed by a 45-yard score from Williamson to Jaytee to extend the advantage to 31-0.
Jaden finished with seven catches for 76 yards while Ben Patkowski (Sr.), who made a sensational grab before turning up field for a 66-yard score and a 38-0 lead in the third quarter, finished with five receptions for 97 yards.
Mustang’s defense allowed just 176 total yards, including -29 yards on the ground in a 52-14 win over Yukon on Friday at Miller Stadium. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
“They’re straight up dogs,” Williamson said of the team’s wideouts. “When I throw the ball up, I know they’re going to catch it. If they don’t, it was either a bad ball or it got swiped out. I think I have the best wide receiver corps in the state, if not the nation. It’s insane.”
Williamson and Jaytee Johnson hooked up for their third score with :55 remaining in the third quarter – a 24-yard toss for a 45-0 advantage.
Yukon scored its first touchdown with 9:21 remaining in the game – an eight-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Wyatt Jones to wideout Kennison Rodgers. However, Ackah-Mensah and the Bronco offense answered with a one-yard touchdown run for a 52-7 lead.
The Millers made it 52-14 on a five-yard touchdown run by Jones.
The victory marked the seventh straight Canadian County Bedlam win for Mustang and the 33rd overall. Following the game, Blankenship and his squad were presented with the rivalry trophy by MHS Superintendent Charles Bradley.
Williamson’s thoughts were not only on beating the Millers, but also on former Bronco Zach Doran, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Doran wore No. 7 as well as former Miller, Noah Creach, who passed away after a car accident in 2021.
Mustang Public School Superintendent Charles Bradley presents the Canadian County Bedlam trophy to the Mustang football team after a 52-14 win over Yukon on Friday. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
YHS painted the hash mark on the 7-yard line on each end of the field in remembrance of both players.
“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not, but Zach wore No. 7 and this was our seventh win in a row,” Williamson said. “So it was amazing and super special.”
Mustang moves to 1-0 to start the season and will continue non-district play against Broken Arrow in Week 2. Yukon moves to 1-1 with one non-district game remaining against Sapulpa.
Mustang's student section celebrates a 52-14 win over Yukon on Friday at Miller Stadium. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
