But one of the early lessons has been that a coach can only do so much.
"There are experiences you can't really coach," Johnson said this week.
Johnson's Titans had one of those experiences Sept. 23 in a one-point win over rival Hough. For the first time under his watch, Hopewell had the chance to make a game-winning drive, and did, winning on a last-second Ryan Santee field goal.
The win ended up being key to the Titans getting the postseason nod over Hough, and the crunch time experience paid off again last Friday in the 4A playoffs' first round at Asheville's T.C. Roberson.
The Titans drove 80 yards in the final six minutes to get the game-winning score with 45 seconds left and win 14-9 when Rashad Williams scored on a 1-yard run.
"We knew that we could do it." said Johnson.
Now, the Titans (5-6) play at Sun Valley (6-5) Friday at 7 p.m. and will try to win their second playoff game in a season for the first time in program history. A win could potentially set up a rematch with I-Meck foe Mooresville next week.
The Titans' decisive drive at Hough had required a 90-yard march in just more than two minutes, and Santee and the field goal unit had to rush onto the field without the assistance of a timeout as the clock ticked under 15 seconds. At Roberson, the Titans went 80 yards and converted three third downs without Johnson having to burn a single timeout.
"It was like clockwork," he said. "We didn't miss a beat."
Hopewell's Denzel Heath, who has now rushed for 1,687 yards in his senior campaign, opened the scoring with a 76-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. And with the Titans trailing 9-7 in the fourth quarter, Chandler Chase's pass to Jonquez Williams converted a third-and-17 play to get the ball into Roberson territory. Hopewell's running game, which included 127 Heath yards and 72 from Deshjion Whitlock, took over the drive from there.
Defensive lineman Tevin Stevenson, who returned recently from injury, blocked a Roberson field goal in the second half.
"Tevin is a true difference maker," said Johnson.
LNC falls at South Stokes
Lake Norman Charter's first trip to the 1A state playoffs only lasted one game, as South Stokes beat LNC 35-26 last Friday night. But the Knights' postseason experience of playing in a do-or-die situation in an unfamiliar environment was a positive one, said coach Bob McKay.
"I think the best part is the young kids getting to see that," said McKay, whose team included multiple call-ups from the LNC JV team.
The Knights lined up standout receiver Alex Scearce as the quarterback in the wildcat formation, and along with throwing a touchdown pass to starting quarterback Michael Dorsainvil, Scearce also made what McKay called the play of the year in the third quarter.
On first-and-goal from the South Stokes 10, the snap from center sailed over Scearce's head. He turned around and scooped the ball up at the 20, avoided three defenders there and zigged and zagged his way into the end zone.
"I have no idea how he weaved his way out of there," said McKay. "He's the only one who makes that happen."
LNC closed the season with a 5-6 record, as South Stokes (6-5) moved on to play Monroe this week.
