By Amanda Scurlock for The LA Sentinel
Originally published Nov. 4, 2026
Throughout this season, South East senior quarterback Bryce “Squiddy” Johnson has proven he is one of the top quarterbacks in the CIF City Section and in California.
Johnson amassed 2,057 passing yards and 1,062 rushing yards during the regular season. According to Max Preps, Johnson has the 13th most offensive yards in California.
Johnson has played at quarterback prior to his high school years.
“I just wanted to be able to disperse the ball to everybody else because I’m not the type of person that likes hogging the ball and wanting the ball all the time,” Johnson said. “I like sharing the ball and seeing my peers thrive from me giving them the ball.”
On two different games, Johnson scored four touchdown passes: in the Jaguars’ 34-21 win against Gardena on Aug. 28 and in their 32-42 loss to South Gate in Oct. 23.
“The throws that I make are usually quick,” Johnson said. “If not, then they’re downfield and most of the time, they’re open.”
Johnson mentioned that he has the speed to outrun approaching defenders. In five different games, he scrambled for over 100 yards. His season high came against South Gate when he acquired 209 running yards.
“I don’t think any person can catch me when I am running the ball,” Johnson said. “You got to catch me, then you got to tackle me. If you don’t tackle me, then I’m just going to keep going and going.”
A challenging moment for Johnson was his junior year. Several of his teammates were unable to compete throughout the season.
“We went in with the mindset of us having all of our players and then the day before game one, all of them weren’t playing because of either a grade situation or sitting out because of the transfer rule,” Johnson said. “But we always fought our hearts out.”
For Johnson, being a student athlete means having a strong relationship with teachers and making academics a main priority. His favorite subject is math.
“Love your teachers, have your teachers love you. Be the teacher’s pet,” Johnson said. “The classroom is what gets you to the football field first. The athlete part, student first.”
He mentioned that he became more proactive with his schoolwork as a junior.
“You always maintain doing your work when it’s given to you,” Johnson said. “When it’s given to you, instead of rushing it last minute.”
Outside of athletics, Johnson helps his classmates with their assignments.
“I never tell people don’t ask me for help, I love helping people,” Johnson said. “I feel like helping a person is going to have me get help later.”
Johnson aspires to play collegiate football.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s juco, D3, D2, D1,” Johnson said. “I just want to make it to the next level and show everybody that once I make it to the next level, I can make it to the top level.”