Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Post Playoffs

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Playoff opponent was one of those 'tough outs'

Low bridge!!

What you do now is get up, dust yourself off, and go looking for the horse. . . so you can ride again.

IC Catholic Prep of Elmhurst was the low bridge that took down the Leafs on Saturday evening, Oct. 28.

The final was 35-12 and yes, the better team won this first round Class 4A playoff game.

The Knights were last year's Class 3A state champions and Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. thinks they might appear in yet another championship game this season.

“It will take quite a team to beat them,” the coach said, mentioning various areas of strength the Knights possess. “Depth could be an issue for them, but they've got the skill kids.”

The positive for Geneseo, the coach said, “was our guys played hard,” he said. “They left it all on the field.”

“It was a tough start for us,” Johnsen said. Geneseo came out throwing on the game's first play from scrimmage. It was a sideline pass, and IC Catholic's Joey Gliatta intercepted at Geneseo's 16-yard line.

On first down, Gliatta ran under a touchdown pass from quarterback Dennis Mandala, and it was 7-0 just 11 seconds into the game.

The Leafs went three-and-out, then Mandala threw a 43-yard touchdown pass, and Geneseo was in a 14-0 hole at the 7:57 mark of the first quarter.

“We came back and got some points,” Johnsen said. “But ultimately their athletes took over the game. They reminded me of Quincy in the way they kept taking shots.”

What Geneseo wanted to do coming into this game the Leafs did on their third possession.

It was a 72-yard drive that took 8:03 off the clock, ended with a score, and cut ICC's lead to 14-6. Junior running back Kolten Schmoll-Burton gave it fuel with some slashing runs into the heart of the Knights' defense.

Quarterback AJ Weller kept the drive alive with a 14-yard scramble on a fourth down and 12 play. Weller got the touchdown on a play from the 11 where he got the Knights to bite on a hard fake to the left, then rolled around an open right side for the score.

“After we stumbled, we settled down some,” Johnsen said.

But a 77-yard, 11-play drive put ICC up 21-6 at halftime.

Running backs Aaron Harvey (#5) and Gliatta (#33) provided the speed and power, respectively.

It was more of the same in the second half, with quarterback Mandala throwing in passes to Iowa recruit K.J. Parker (#14).

“We contested them, but the law of averages says a team with their talent is going to make big plays,” Johnsen said.

So, a Geneseo team that started fast had a tough back end of its season and finished at 6-4.

“We were inches away from being 8-1 heading into the playoffs,” Johnsen said.

“Quincy was better than us,” Johnsen said. The Leaf coach thought Rock Island could have been a win. But, it got away.

And then, there was Sterling. “That was a really emotional loss for us,” said Johnsen.

Geneseo said goodbye to 21 seniors, who gave the Leafs an experienced and physical bunch with which to battle WB6 opponents.

“Off-seasons are huge,” Johnsen said. “Bodies change over the winter and into the spring.”

“We have a smattering of experience coming back, and that's something,” he said. “We're in a bit of a cycle now where our numbers are down. Depth will be a concern for us.”

“We did work in a number of younger guys this season, especially on defense. But we're losing a big batch, and that will be hard for us.”

Scheduling will be important for the Leafs. “Right now, we don't have our first two games set,” he said. Will Alleman be back? “We're not sure yet,” Geneseo's coach said. “If not, that's another date to fill, right between Sterling and Quincy.”

Life in high school football is about change and adaptation. The Leafs will head into the trainer's room with their future in front of them and the reality that they can control their end of that.

2023 WB6 All-Conference Football

Congratulations!

#77 Nolan Femali
1st Team Offense

#72 Kaden Salisbury
1st Team Defense

#10 Jackson Reade
1st Team Defense

#3 AJ Weller
1st Team Special Teams & Honorable Mention Offense

#51 Connor Mitchell
2nd Team Offense

#83 Luke Johnsen
2nd Team Offense

#75 Owen Skovronski
2nd Team Defense

#15 Cooper McKeag
2nd Team Defense

#32 Nathan Dunker
2nd Team Defense

#27 Jeron Neal
Honorable Mention Offense

#18 Brayden Combs
Special Teams Honorable Mention

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 10

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Leafs get a “re-do” - in the playoffs!

The Rock Island game? “Really disapointing,” for the players,” said Geneseo coach Larry Johnsen Jr., “and frustrating” for the coaches,” he said. But that game also is ancient history.

Well, it had better be, because Johnsen, the coaches and the Maple Leafs have a playoff game to prepare for. So much to do, so little time. . .

Well, the time factor will be a little different, because the game against IC Catholic Prep doesn't start until 5 p.m. Saturday in Elmhurst.

“We do have that extra day to prepare,” Johnsen said. “It's an extra day of recovery. If gives us time to get things done and to get us fresh for Saturday,” he said.

The coach said preparation for a playoff game is different, “because all of our focus in on one game,” Johnsen said. “During the regular season, you're also thinking about future games.”

“It's more efficient, because we'll only work on one facet at a time, offense or defense. And we'll have the entire coaching staff watching both units, and they can observe and suggest things,” said the coach.

“We'll have to be careful to balance work and rest.”

Geneseo (6-3) was the second-largest enrollment school to make it into Class 4A. The Leafs drew the number 10 seed in the northern bracket. The Knights are number 7. “They are a tough draw for us, that's for sure,” Johnsen said.

The Knights are 7-2. “Playoffs are all about match-ups,” Johnsen said.

“The first two rounds are kind of a weeding out process,” he said.

The Knights have a “wide-open offense,” Johnsen said. “They have a lot of good athletes and they're really explosive.”

“They play a really good schedule. They have multiple skill position players, who have drawn the attention of Texas A & M and Iowa,” the Geneseo coach said.

“We'll try to keep the ball; that's our chance. We'll want to limit their touches and force turnovers.”

“They usually show a 4-3 defense, but it depends on what we do,” the coach added.

IC Catholic Prep is a school of 320 students, according to a story in The Chicago Tribune. The IHSA has inflated that enrollment to to 608.3 for playoff class purposes.

The school draws students from 40 communities, the story said.

The Knights won the state championship in Class 3A last year.

You may recall this school when it was called Elmhurst Immaculate Conception. Geneseo beat the Knights 21-16 in the Class 3A quarterfinals. The Leafs went on win their third consecutive state title with a 13-0 record.

This year's Knights score 34 points and game and yield 19. Geneseo scores 32 and yields 13, but remember, they're opponents from opposite sides of the state.

Knights quarterback Dennis Mandala (5-10, 165) has completed 90 of 138 passes for 11 touchdowns. Joey Gliatta (5-10, 175) has rushed for 1,056 yards, a 10-yard average and 17 touchdowns.

Four receivers have yardage totals ranging from 212 to 611 yards.

Against Rock Island, the Leafs again started fast on their opening drive. But Rock Island started getting stops using a similar stunt/blitz package that led to Geneseo losses to Sterling and Quincy.

The Leafs came out aggressive and physical on defense and forced a fumble Owen Skovronski recovered in the red zone. The Leafs had to settle for a field goal on that one and had another close approach, but no touchdown.

“Defensively, we played pretty well,” Johnsen said. “Offensively, there were several times we were a block away, maybe two, from making big plays.”

Late in the game, with the lead, the Rocks showed good clock management in doing what Geneseo wants to do – keep the ball away from the opposing offense.

Regarding Saturday, Johnsen said, “everybody has to be 'on.'”

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 9

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Leafs have incentive to beat the Rocks

Well, the football game against Quincy is as far away as it will ever be.

But, if the Maple Leafs are to make a run at Quincy and others in the Western Big Six next season, how they finish the current season will have major impact.

An improving Rock Island team comes to Bob Reade Field for Senior Night on Friday. Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. hopes his team learned from Quincy's 35-7 win last Friday – and flushed it.

Did Rock Island's 14-7 win over Sterling last week draw attention?

“It sure did,” the Leaf coach said.

Rock Island struggled this year, until putting things together the last three games. The Rocks beat United Township, lost to Galesburg, then beat the Golden Warriors.

An improved defense is what did it for the Rocks, Johnsen said.

“It's the way they've changed their mentality,” Geneseo's coach said.

The Rocks have put in a stunt and blitz package, similar in style to Quincy's. A big difference: The Rocks don't have three huge defenders up front like Quincy. And, Rock Island players are still learning the scheme.

One thing is sure: The Rocks are fast, and that shows up especially on the offensive side of the ball.

With a win, Geneseo would finish with a 7-2 record and Johnsen believes that could secure a home opener in the playoffs. Just the thought of something like last year's trip to Carterville should be incentive enough for the Leafs to play like their hair is on fire.

“Playing for a home playoff game is a big huge deal,” Johnsen said. “We need to get back to firing on all cylinders.”

That means this year's team, in the wake of Friday's loss, and Geneseo's program in general. Coming up next week will be Geneseo's 43rd playoff appearance in the post-season series' 50-year history.

Sure, every Leafs player, coach and fan wanted to win the WB6 championship. We are sure to remember the first one, when it comes.

But does every Leaf fan remember Geneseo's conference finish in all 42 of those playoff years? We're the Green Machine. Playoffs are what we do, right?

Right now, we're in a league that features a top-10 ranked Class 7A champion.

“Quincy is a nice team,” Johnsen said. “It has guys who can really move out in space.”

Not to mention the Blue Devils are a young team and will return four of its top six skill players.

Jackson Reade got the Leafs off to a stunning start with a great 97-yard touchdown return of the opening kickoff.

Geneseo accomplished some goals in this game. One, the Leafs ran more offensive plays, 57 to 42.

But Quincy had a 471 to 185 lead in total yardage.

“We would have had to double the number of their snaps,” Johnsen said. “They're just so explosive.”

A goal Quincy denied: A score at the end of each Geneseo possession.

Quincy scores so quickly that its defensive unit is on the field a lot. They don't waste time. They learn and improve.

The Leafs rushed for 121 yards, with Jeron Neal netting 70 yards on 24 carries. “We did gain yards at times,” Johnsen said. But at other times, Quincy's stunters and blitzers closed any momentary gaps.

Quarterback Bradyn Little completed 21-of-24 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Jeraius Rice Jr. - and he's a piece of quality work – rushed 13 times for 205 yards and two scores, and caught a touchdown pass.

“We did play better in the second half,” Johnsen said.

Quincy outscored Geneseo just 7-0 after intermission. Quincy lost two fumbles to the Leafs, but also stopped Geneseo on downs twice.

“The second half we played was something we can build on,” said Geneseo's coach. “We've got work in front of us. It's Senior Night, and it's a key home game for these guys.”

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 8

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Week 8 and it's getting exciting!

Now it's Week 8, and the football season is more exciting than ever for both Geneseo and Quincy.

Both are going to the playoffs, and both have a shot of gaining at least a share of the Western Big Six championship.

Quincy (7-0) and Geneseo (6-1) meet Friday night at Flinn Stadium in Quincy.

A Quincy win means an unshared conference championship for the Blue Devils, who haven't won the WB6 since 2016. The Blue Devils finish their league season with this game.

Geneseo, which qualified for the playoffs for the 43rd time with last week's 63-6 run past Mendota, still have a conference home date against Rock Island next week.

But with two more wins, the Leafs will have at least a piece of the WB6 crown, and a shot at a playoff opener at home.

“The playoffs are a big deal. That's an accomplishment,” said Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. “We've reminded the kids that they have something to play for.”

They know. And it starts with a Quincy team that is electric on offense.

“Very explosive,” Johnsen said. “They have guys who can run who are as athletic as heck. They're deep in the skill positions and they have big guys up front.”

Both teams have had trouble against Sterling during the last two weeks.

I don't remind you about the closing seconds of Geneseo's loss to Sterling.

When Quincy played Sterling, the Blue Devils jumped out to a 21-0 first half lead. And yet, it wound up 35-33 for Quincy.

What happened? Turnovers. Four of them and they helped get Sterling back in the game.

Sterling scored a touchdown with 2:07 left to play, then went for a two-point conversion to tie.

Quincy's Jack Hammock used his closing speed to knock down the conversion pass, then the Blue Devils held on.

Quincy led 443 to 326 in total yardage. And, go ahead and read something into both those numbers . . .just for fun.

The Blue Devils lead with their offense and quarterback Bradyn Little. He was 14-for-28 for 251 yards and three touchdowns, and had one interception against Sterling.

Running back Jeraius Rice Jr. rushed 24 times for 184 yards and caught four passes for 97 more.

Wide receiver Tykell Hammers had six catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

When Quincy snaps the ball, it's like the lid on a jack-in-the-box pops off, and jackrabbits fly out and scatter.

“We cannot simulate in practice how fast it happens,” Johnsen said. “We need to hold on the first couple series to get acclimated,” he said.

Johnsen said Quincy's defense “will bring pressure. Their big linemen are mountains to move, then you've got linebackers bringing pressure,” he said. “And they've got good athletes on their third level.”

“We need to have the same mentality we did against UT,” Johnsen said. In that one, Geneseo scored touchdowns on its first eight possessions and put up 55 points. “Our best defense will be keeping our offense on the field,” Geneseo's coach said.

Last week against Mendota, “we were a little sluggish at first, but the guys got going and that is what was important. We had a very emotional game against Sterling, some kids got a little banged up, and it was important to get back on the field.”

“We're movin' on,” he said. “We want to play this game our style. Play loose and have a good time. I'm sure they (Quincy) will be preparing for us, too.”

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 7

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Leafs (really) Close, but Prize Yet to Come

Geneseo's crowd was up at a decibel level sufficient to wake up the echoes and shake down thunder.

Quarterback AJ Weller was back in the game, leading the Green Machine down the field late in the fourth quarter, trailing 7-3.

“It was loud,” said Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr.

“It was total chaos on the sideline, for a while,” Johnsen said. “We were penalized once for having 13 men on the field,” the coach said.

It only seemed like the Sterling defense had that many for most of the night. 

“The coaches couldn't hear each other. The players couldn't hear us,” Johnsen said.

Still Geneseo willed itself forward, getting to Sterling's two-yard line, where the down linemen on each side could hear each other breathing despite the racket. It came down to fourth-and-goal from the six, with 10 seconds left to play.

The Leafs launched running back Jeron Neal into the defense. He hit a seam, then bellied to the right and went down in a churning mass of bodies at the right front of the end zone.

The officials ruled the ball was inches short of the goal line.

Geneseo's crowd was dumbstruck. Everything seemed frozen in time, for just moment.

Sterling's defense had let the air out of Geneseo's green and yellow balloons. Again. Those balloons spit and spun crazily and crashed. There was no horn noise blaring from the scoreboard. Geneseo's celebratory fireworks remained grounded.

Frustration. Elevated frustration.

So, now what? Most Geneseo fans had visions of the Maple Leafs catching – then passing – the Golden Warriors, all in one night. One glorious, in-your-face-Sterling night.

But, what happened Friday may lead to happier moments, yet this season, for this Geneseo team, which was and remains – good.

“Our defense played really well, our best game of the season for the most part,” Geneseo's coach said.

But Sterling's defense was at the top of the story, like it has been for a number of years now.

The Warrior defenders flew around like they usually do, but none better than tackle Kendric Muhammed (#68). “He won his battles up front and made big plays,” Johnsen said.

Still, Geneseo was able to move. The Leafs had 15 first downs to Sterling's six. Geneseo rushed 48 times and netted 136 yards. For Sterling: 24 rushes, 130 yards. Geneseo was five-for-14 passing for 47 yards. For Sterling: two-for-12 passing for 43 yards.

That adds up to 62 plays and 183 yards for Geneseo, and 36 plays for 173 yards for Sterling. Those numbers are lot closer than they have been for years.

Close works in hand grenades, but not in football. It was still no cigar for Geneseo.

“It was just one game. If we don't bounce back, ,. if we lose the next one, than we'll have let Sterling beat us twice,” Johnsen said.

“We're still in the hunt in the WB6,” said Geneseo's coach. “A three-way tie for the championship is still possible, even a home playoff opener is still possible,” he said. “Our goals are still out there in front of us. It's just that now we're not in total control of our destiny.”

Geneseo had first possession against Sterling. The Leafs drove 63 yards in 8:41, but Sterling's quickness on defense started showing up after the Leafs crossed the 50. Brayden Combs kicked a 24-yard field goal to put Geneseo up 3-0.

The Warriors took a 7-3 halftime lead on a nice-but-fourth-and-11 touchdown pass play.

Leafs fans noticed defensive back Weller come off the field during the drive. He didn't come out to start the third quarter.

“Migraine,” Johnsen said. Jackson McAvoy, a sophomore, filled in at quarterback in the third quarter, and did a creditable job.

But Weller came back to start the fourth, and led Geneseo's second major drive, this one also 63 yards in 2:54, ending at the Sterling one-yard line, whereupon the Warriors quarterback ran 99 yards for a score as time ran out.

UP NEXT: MENDOTA

Now comes a non-conference game as Mendota, a rival from the days of the NCIC Southwest division, visits Bob Reade Field.

They last met in the 2009 playoffs. Geneseo leads the series 22-19-1 – and has won the last 19 in a row.

Mendota got its first win last week, over Port Byron Riverdale.

What will be the Leafs' mental state for Mendota?

Speaking on Sunday afternoon, the Leafs coach said. “We'll find out starting Monday.”

PLAYOFF PICTURE - Geneseo became playoff-eligible with its win over Galesburg. One more win guarantees the Leafs a spot in the dance itself. “We've still got a lot to play for,” Johnsen said.

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 6

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Leafs Want to Rekindle Sterling Rivalry

Sterling: An old and respected opponent. But a rival?

“We told the guys after we beat Galesburg last Friday that it's not a rivalry if only one team is winning,” said Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr.

Sterling has won its last 8 games against Geneseo, including the last three by shutouts.

“The games haven't been close,” Johnsen said. “To us, that's a big deal.”

But don't expect this 5-0 Geneseo team to come out foaming at the mouth about beating Sterling. The Leafs will have their ears back, though. That's the kind of dog you worry about before a fight.

“I'm not ready for Friday,” Johnsen said early this week. “We have got a lot to get done. But we are excited for the challenge.”

Johnsen said Sterling “makes you uncomfortable by taking away things you most like to do.”

On defense, that has meant Sterling playing single man coverage in the secondary, and attacking the Leafs with stunts and blitzes.

The Warriors have gotten to Geneseo's point of attack ahead of the Leafs, sometimes, and messed up the running game. “They've been like sharks attacking,” Johnsen said.

“They have good athletes on defense who can run in space and make plays,” said Geneseo's coach.

On offense, the Warriors are “fundamentally sound, with a system that they repeat and repeat,” Johnsen said.

It's the Sterling version of the wing-T and it works.

“Their quarterback is really fast,” Johnsen said. “And they've got a down lineman who is a Power 5 prospect.”

Lucas Austin is the 6-7, 255-pound lineman. Offensively, the quarterback has averaged 94 yards and 4.6 per carry in two conference games, and has completed 16-of-26 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Sterling lost its first two games, 28-17 to tradition-rich Metamora, (now 3-2) and 42-28 to a strong Wheaton St. Francis team (3-2).

In league play, the Golden Warriors were 23-19 winners over United Township and 45-14 over Galesburg.

Then last week, Sterling played an interesting “crossover” game at another former NCIC school, Princeton, which started the season as the top-rated team in Class 3A.

Princeton led 8-6 at halftime, and wound up winning 28-6. “Princeton has a very nice, physical team,” Johnsen said.

It's no secret that this is one of the more physical teams Geneseo has had in a while.

But, you've got to mix skills with quickness and brawn. Are the Leafs better-equipped to handle Sterling's blend than in recent years?

“We'll see,” Johnson said.

Johnsen's keys to bringing down Sterling:

“Penalties affected us Friday against Galesburg,” he said. “We can't afford to be behind the chains.”

“We have to be prepared for their blitzes and pick them up,” Geneseo's coach said. “They'll show you a lot of second-level movement and you have to pick it up.”

“And, we need to get their offense off the field,” Johnsen said.

That doesn't sound like a difficult formula.

“No, but it can be against a good team,” said Geneseo's coach. “Video might tell you one thing, but it can be altogether different when you go against it live. You can't replicate an opponent's speed or quickness in practice.”

Geneseo running back Jeron Neal and quarterback AJ Weller ranked first and third, respectively, in WB6 rushing after the first two league games. Neal was averaging 131 yards per game and 9.4 per carry. Weller was at 120 yards per game and 8.2 carry.

That sounds like something out of the '60s or '70s.

Speaking about time gone by, this has been Geneseo's homecoming week and Friday is Hall of Fame Night at Bob Reade Field.

There's a lot riding on this game.

Expect a tsunami of sound!

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 5

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

The Big-Eaters Up Front Are Plowing the Row!

For some of us, watching Geneseo engulf and devour UTHS 55-21 was a trip back in time.

The Leafs' space eaters up front went forward, and the UTHS linemen went back. Or down. On both sides of the ball.

“The guys did a really good job,” Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. said.

Johnsen said he wanted to see his team score on every possession.

How about eight possessions, eight touchdowns? The Leafs did that. (They had a ninth possession, with reserves driving against reserves, and time expired).

“I thought both of our lines controlled,” Johnsen said. Numbers bear that out: Geneseo ran 69 plays, to UT's 42.

And check this one out: 416 yards of rushing by the Leafs, on 60 carries. Including all 8 touchdowns.

Geneseo runs a number of substitutes into both lines. “We want to keep fresh legs in there,” Johnsen said.

When was the last time a Geneseo varsity team put up those kind of numbers on the ground?

Quarterback AJ Weller added 106 passing yards, to it, so that totals out to 522 total yards by the Leafs.

UT gained 334 and that's a lot for a team on the short end of the score. But, it was a tribute to the skills of quarterback Matthew Kelley, who hit Geneseo with three masterful plays.

“UT has an experienced offensive line,” Johnsen said, “and Kelley and his receiver, Korey Randle, made some fantastic plays.”

One of those plays put the Panthers up 7-0 early, the first time in this 4-0 season that Geneseo has trailed.

There was no panic, as the Leafs quickly answered with 7.

“I was looking for a letdown, after a big win (Moline), but we didn't get that, and that is a good sign,” Johnsen said.

“We're doing things we haven't been able to do in the recent past,” Johnsen said. “But remember, we're playing with older kids this year. And they have some abilities.”

“Our backs ran hard, too,” Johnsen said.

Weller gained 192 yards on 18 carries including six touchdown runs as the Leafs hammered UT with quarterback sweeps. “AJ has good instincts,” Johnsen said.

The Leafs ran inside to set up the outside stuff. Running back Jeron Neal gained 125 yards on 18 carries, one for a score. He was complemented by Joshua Steines, who added 65 yards with 14 runs. “Those two really complement each other,” Johnsen said.

Kolten Schmoll-Burton continues to split seams on his carries.

“Our inside running game forced UT to make some adjustments, with their backs having to come up to make more plays,” Johnsen said. Geneseo then hurt UT with Weller's quarterback sweeps.

This week: Galesburg

Friday night, the Leafs visit 1-3 Galesburg and the same message applies: Dominate up front. “We have to control both lines, tempo and limit their possessions,” Johnsen said.

“They have some nice players. They're young, it's their homecoming, and we better be ready for a test on the road,” Geneseo's coach said.

“They have three guys who are electricity in a bottle,” Johnsen said.

After beating Limestone 41-7, the Silver Streaks were buzzed 53-14 by a very good Dunlap team. They then lost 35-14 to Indian Lake of Trafalgar, Ind., then 45-14 last week to Sterling.

Defense has been a problem for the Streaks, who were 3-6 last year. A Sterling reporter's research revealed that all three wins came against opponents that finished with one win each.

Galesburg was 0-5 against playoff-bound teams, and during a 1-5 stretch, the defense yielded a minimum of five touchdowns per game.

Running back Amarie Richardson and quarterback Gino Williams have some quick feet, as does defensive back Markis Lewis. The Streaks also have a defensive lineman who is said to be a college prospect.

Oh, one more thing: Geneseo's kickoff coverage gradually improved during the UTHS game. “If you can't kick it to the end zone, at least kick it high,” Johnsen said, “so that your defense can run down and make a play.”

“Little things,” Johnsen said, “lead to big things.”