News Summary

Trace Johnson, the standout quarterback from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, has announced his transfer to Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California. Known for his impressive performance and leadership, Johnson leaves behind a remarkable record, including 23 wins and 64 touchdowns. As Santa Margarita looks to rebuild after a challenging season, Johnson’s arrival comes with high expectations. His departure also raises questions for Buchholz as they prepare for the upcoming season without their star quarterback.

Gainesville’s Star Quarterback Trace Johnson Making Waves with Transfer to California

Exciting news is coming out of Gainesville, Florida! Trace Johnson, the sensational quarterback who has been making headlines at Buchholz High School, is taking his talents to the sunny west coast. Johnson has officially announced his transfer to Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California, a school located about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles. As a rising star in the football world, his decision is generating a lot of buzz within the sports community.

Reflecting on His Time at Buchholz

Johnson has been a pivotal player for Buchholz over the past two seasons, showcasing his skills as the starting quarterback. His impressive record of 23 wins and only 5 losses speaks volumes about his leadership on the field, leading the team to back-to-back regional titles. He threw an astonishing 6,366 yards during his time at Buchholz and racked up 64 touchdowns — numbers that certainly set him apart as a top quarterback in Florida’s high school football scene.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing as Buchholz reached the state semifinals in both of those years, only to fall short against tough competitors like Lakeland and Kissimmee Osceola. Still, Johnson’s talents have not gone unnoticed, as he holds reported college offers from a variety of schools, including Arkansas State, Central Michigan, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, and Southern Miss.

A New Chapter at Santa Margarita Catholic

So, what’s next for Johnson? At Santa Margarita, he’ll be joining a team that is eagerly looking to turn things around after finishing last season with a 5-7 record. The Eagles have been through some changes recently, including the departure of their previous head coach, Anthony Rouzier, who was put on administrative leave due to hazing incidents. With Carson Palmer, a former NFL quarterback and USC Heisman Trophy winner, taking the reins, the team is in good hands. Palmer, an alumnus of Santa Margarita, has a winning history with the program, having previously led the Eagles to multiple CIF titles as a player.

What This Means For Buchholz

Johnson’s transfer not only opens up opportunities for him but also leaves Buchholz with a gap in their quarterback lineup. With spring practice set to begin in late April or early May, the future is a bit uncertain for the Bobcats. The likely successor to Johnson is Andrew Whittemore, who served as the backup quarterback last season but only attempted seven passes for 17 yards.

In recent times, Buchholz has seen some shake-up in their quarterback position. McGriff, a previous transfer, played quarterback for Newberry before switching roles to receiver at Buchholz. With Johnson’s departure, it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff approaches rebuilding that position and whether they will seek more talent from transfers or rely on existing players within the program.

The Road Ahead

As Trace Johnson takes this exciting leap into his football career at Santa Margarita Catholic, the entire Buchholz community is certainly cheering him on, grateful for the memories he created on the field. Meanwhile, fans and followers of high school football are on the edge of their seats as they wonder how both Buchholz and Santa Margarita will adjust to these changes in the upcoming season. All eyes will be watching as spring practices start — stay tuned for what could be another thrilling year of high school football!

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