Athlete of the Week: Jayden Johannsen, Washington High School

Everyone recognizes the importance of a quarterback having a short memory, especially when it comes to mistakes. But quarterback poise and calmness are underrated attributes that all successful quarterbacks possess.

Jayden Johannsen is as poised as they come.

Johannsen, a 6-foot-2-inch sophomore quarterback for Washington High School, is this week's Athlete of the Week.

Only a sophomore, Johannsen helped lead the Washington Warriors to an undefeated regular season and a Class 11AAA state championship, continuing Washington's incredible run of now five state titles in seven years. It's also Washington's 40th-plus football state title in program history, the most of any high school in the nation.

"The Dome Game was a thrill," Johannsen said. "I liked the outcome. It was kind of an emotional rollercoaster, up-and-down and back-and-forth. And then the feeling afterwards, I can't describe it. It's just an amazing feeling knowing you accomplished it."

Through the emotional rollercoaster, Johannsen kept a level-head and remained calm. Despite an interception, Johannsen helped the Warriors push forward and hold off the Brandon Valley Lynx.

Johannsen's journey to the 2016 state title started during his formative years in junior football. Because Johannsen enjoyed and played other sports, his all-around athletic ability only improved, but it was football that always mattered most.

"Last year and the year before that, I really started enjoying football and it really became my passion," Johannsen said. "I love training for it and everything about it. There's not a part of football I don't enjoy."

Motivated by the taste of success and fear of failure, it's no surprise Johannsen enjoys even the most grueling tasks of football training.

Only a sophomore, Johannsen still has numerous goals and objectives he hopes to complete this year and beyond during his time at Washington High School.

"I'd like to get stronger, faster and better as a QB, and then I'd also like to keep my GPA where it is, keep my schoolwork up."

After his time at Washington High School, Johannsen hopes to continue his football playing career at the collegiate level. Johannsen would also like to continue his education and study either to become a doctor or physical therapist.

Congratulations to Jayden Johannsen, this week's Athlete of the Week.