Alexi Johnson is a Senior kicker from Shakopee High School in Shakopee, MN. Alexi earned the starting kicking spot for his high school his Junior year. Shakopee High School plays in a very competitive conference and an even more competitive playoff section. Over his 2 years of kicking for his high school, Alexi has seen and experienced it all. He's played in a number of games that came down to the last kick, and has been able to to execute a number of skilled kicks to help his team win and compete in games. All of this could not have been done without the hard work and dedication Alexi has put into his kicking training. I've had the privilege to train Alexi for two years during his Junior and Senior years. Alexi came to me with a high level soccer background and a very strong leg. Alexi works very hard at the kicking game and has proven to be on of the most well rounded and top kickers in Minnesota. With what I've seen in his improvements over the year, he is ready to take his kicking game to the collegiate level. He has become a very accurate and a deep threat kicker.
Alexi has had a pretty decorated career as a high school kicker. Over his last two years, he's earned various kicking honors such has All State Honorable Mention, All Metro and All Conference, as well being named to the Preseason All Metro Team. He was the leading scorer for kickers as a junior and 3rd overall kicker in the state in points scored. Alexi is ranked as one of the top 3 All Around Minnesota Senior Kickers according to National Camp Series evaluation of Kickers and Punters, and was named to the "All Midwest Team" in 2011. In August 2012, he was named to the "2012 Minnesota Bombers Class" as one of the six top kickers in the state of Minnesota to Watch, according to Special Teams Football Academy. Alexi also earned a spot on the Top Tier All American Watch List for Kickers. During his senior year he kicked another game winner and set the school record for longest field goal.
We took time to sit down over the holidays to 'Get To Know' Alexi Johnson a bit more after this senior year of football.
What has it been like knowing you were playing in your last high school football season?
It was amazing and odd at the same time, knowing that this would be my final season playing high school sports. It was also pretty cool knowing that what I would do this final season would help me transition to college football.
How did your season turn out this year?
It went well, but not as well as I had hoped. I ended up 19-21 on PATs with the two misses blocked, and 6-8 on FGs with one of them blocked. I would have liked to have scored more for my team but they used me when they needed me.
What did you like most about your Senior Year?
The football team became my family and I got to win homecoming for our school!
The football team became my family and I got to win homecoming for our school!
What will you miss most about your Senior year and high school football?
The adventure of playing under the "Friday night lights" for eight weeks and trying to help my team win games.
Shakopee had a young team this year, what has that experience been like in an almost "Rebuilding year?"
It was hard because we did not have the experience on the offensive line and in some skill positions. On the other hand it was really run to be a part of watching the younger guys begin to step up late in the season and contribute. This was especially true when we won our last two games against the top two teams in conference.
It was hard because we did not have the experience on the offensive line and in some skill positions. On the other hand it was really run to be a part of watching the younger guys begin to step up late in the season and contribute. This was especially true when we won our last two games against the top two teams in conference.
You had a great year of kicking as a Junior finishing as the top point scoring Junior kicker. What kind of off season training did you do to prepare yourself for this year?
I went on a weight lifting program at school. I went to several camps as well. Finally, I worked with Coaches Husby and Mehlhaff on a regular basis to perfect my skills.
I went on a weight lifting program at school. I went to several camps as well. Finally, I worked with Coaches Husby and Mehlhaff on a regular basis to perfect my skills.
Based on your strong Junior year, it appeared that your coach trusted you in the kicking game and gave you a number of opportunities to kick this year, how did that make you feel?
It gave me much more confidence when I kicked. My coaches made it clear that I would be a clear contributor to the team and it was a good feeling knowing they could rely on me.
What kind of "in season" training did you do to stay on top of your kicking game?
I decreased my workload in the weightroom but worked a lot more on technical skills. I would watch film from each game and work to correct mistakes I may have made in the previous game.
I decreased my workload in the weightroom but worked a lot more on technical skills. I would watch film from each game and work to correct mistakes I may have made in the previous game.
What are some of your personal and team highlights from this season?
I kicked the game winning last second field goal to win Homecoming. I set the school record for the longest field goal in Shakopee history. Our running back Nick Larson ran for over 1100 yards which was a testament to our offensive line. We also bounced back from some early disappointments to win two huge games against the best two teams in conference.
What are your goals for playing collegiate football? Have you thought about a degree you may want to pursue?
I would like to play either at the Division 1 or Division 2 level, and start for a team as soon as I am ready. In college I hope to pursue degrees in sports training and political science.
I would like to play either at the Division 1 or Division 2 level, and start for a team as soon as I am ready. In college I hope to pursue degrees in sports training and political science.
Have you had any college contacts yet based on the season you are having?
Yes I have had visits with Mankato, SMSU, Northern State, UW Stout, St. Johns, and St. Scholastica.
What are a few things you have learned about the college recruiting process that you didn't know before?
It has been interesting to learn all the NCAA rules about when coaches can talk to me and when they cannot. It has been fun to talk to all the different programs and learn when they have to offer.
What have been some highlights from your high school career individually? And as a team?
- Two game winning last second FGs in the past two years.
- A successful onsides kick to put us in position to win a game in 2012
- Being named all-metro and all-state honorable mentions in 2011
- Being named to the Kare11 pre-season all metro team
- Winning conference two times in three years and the first time in 30 years
- Winning the first playoff game for Shakopee in 30 years.
What were some of your kicking statistics this season as well as your Career Statistics?
What are you doing to get yourself ready to kick next year?
Beginning to lift weights again after taking time off at the end of the season. I will be kicking as much as possible this winter in domes, and then outside when the weather warms.
Here is a fun video of Alexi kicking the game winning field goal in one of our camp's last man standing contests!
It's been a pleasure to work with Alexi over the last 2 years. As he goes through the steps to find the college that fit him best, I have no doubt in my mind that Alexi will succeed as a kicker and make a difference for that football program. Good luck.
-Coach Chris Husby
Professional Kicking Coach and Owner
Special Teams Football Academy
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CoachHusby@gmail.com
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