This is how well Arundel quarterback Nick Elko and receiver Brandon Johnson-Farrell know each other: They know what the other is thinking without making eye contact.
“I feel comfortable throwing it every time his number is called,” Elko said. “It just makes it easier for me to know who to throw it to. If we need a big play, I rely on him most of the time.”
Recommended Stories
That?s because the friends have been playing with each other since sixth grade, and have spent the past seven seasons developing a bond on and off the field they claim is second to none.
The senior duo powers Arundel?s spread offense, which relies heavily on the passing game. Elko has completed 206-of-343 passes for 2,624 yards with a state public school-record-tying 38 touchdowns against 6 interceptions.
The majority of Elko?s scoring tosses have been to the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Johnson-Farrell, who has a state record-tying 19 touchdowns catches. Johnson-Farrell has made 80 receptions this season ? nine short of the state record ? to go along with a state-record 1,173 yards, which broke the previous mark of 1,166 set by Boonsboro?s Joe Himes in 1969.
The duo?s biggest play sustained the season on Nov. 17. The Wildcats were trailing North County by a point and facing a fourth-and-12 with fewer than 45 seconds remaining against North County in a 4A East Region semifinal. However, Elko found a streaking Johnson-Farrell for a 55-yard touchdown to produce a 34-29 victory and cap a game in which Johnson-Farrell caught 8 passes for 170 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“[Johnson] is fast, strong, and smart. It?s a cliché, but he?s the total package,” coach Chuck Markiewicz said. “He returns kickoffs, he returns punts, if we ran the I-Formation, he?d be our running back. He can do a lot of things for us; he?s a very versatile kid.”
Arundel earned its first berth in the state tournament in 12 years by defeating rival Broadneck, 49-20, in a game in which Elko threw three touchdowns to Johnson-Farrell.
“[Elko] knows that if it comes down to it, I can trust him and he can trust me. We have that belief in each other ? it?s been natural since sixth grade,” Johnson-Farrell said. “If the ball comes to me, I just make the plays, it just happened to lead to three touchdowns.”
Now, the Wildcats (12-0) face their toughest test of the season: A semifinal game at defending state champion Suitland of Prince George?s County (12-0) this afternoon at 1:30 in District Heights.
The Rams are two victories away from winning their third state title in four years. Suitland has allowed opponents an average of just 10.75 points and has held five opponents to seven points or fewer. The Rams are on a 25-game winning streak after posting a 15-14 victory over Parkdale to win the 4A South Region title.
“We both have been maturing and just getting better with time,” Johnson-Farrell said. “The success of the team has been the most fun part of the season. We haven?t lost yet – we?re just taking this ride and gettingbetter and better.”