Dual-threat quarterback Damarius Johns sparkles in Curie’s new-look offense

Kevo Wesley’s job used to be pretty simple.

The Vanderbilt-bound offensive lineman was a signature piece of Curie’s power ground game, opening running lanes for workhorse back AJ Sanya.

But Sanya has graduated, Curie has a new coach in Peter Grazzini and the Condors are suddenly a lot less predictable.

Now the focal point of the offense is senior Damarius Johns, a sturdy dual-threat quarterback given free rein to work his magic.

The Condors showed how potent their new-look offense can be in Saturday’s 41-6 win at Westinghouse.

Johns was 12-for-17 passing for 141 yards and two touchdowns -- both to Jaylen Brooks -- and ran 14 times for 80 yards and another TD.

“I was happy,” Wesley said of the offensive change. “I get to showcase my athleticism a little more, get out in space and have a little more fun.”

And he can have a head start on his SEC career, “getting a little more diversified ... because I know in college there’s a lot of stuff that goes into the offense.”

Johns said it’s been a smooth transition to taking a bigger role.

“Me and coach G have been talking since last year, trying to get things done,” Johns said.

Curie’s Rakeem Hinton (28) scores from 10 yards out against Westinghouse. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Steven Cheek (4) pulls away from Westinghouse’s Jahari Lee (71). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Damarius Johns (7) runs through the grasp of Westinghouse’s Kamarion Ferrell (22). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Rashard Moore (3) holds off Curie’s Justin Osburn (9). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Jaylen Brooks (1) bobbles the ball against Westinghouse’s Ladainian Linnear (10). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Robert Barnes (9) cuts through the hole against Curie in their 42-6. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Rashard Moore (3) is shut down by the Curie defense. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Michael Smith (8) is brought down by Curie’s defense. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Jalen Brooks (1) scores on a 37-yard pass against Westinghouse. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Kevo Wesley (52) blocks on Westinghouse’s Nickolas Robinson (81). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Michael Smith (8) is stopped by Curie’s defense. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Damarius Johns (7) finds running room against Westinghouse. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Kejuan Pitts (1) escapes the Curie pass rush. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Daveon Shaw (2) runs past Curie’s Rakeem Hinton (28). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Westinghouse’s Rashard Moore (3) holds off Curie’s Justin Osburn (9). | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Damarius Johns (7) runs 22 yards against Westinghouse to score. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Steven Cheek (4) sweeps around the Westinghouse defense. | Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

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Grazzini, who coached Foreman to a pair of state playoff berths earlier this decade, joined the Curie staff as an assistant last year. When Arthur Ray left in July to become an assistant coach at Northwood University, Grazzini became a head coach again.

“We’re just trying to build off what Ray did,” Grazzini said. “The plan this year was to open it up. I’m a little more comfortable with a no-huddle (offense). The kids bought in.”

That’s been especially true of Johns.

“He’s equal in rhe run game and the pass game,” Grazzini said. “That’s what makes it great.

“He has all the checks at the line of scrimmage. We don’t call a play direction. We call a play and then he may spin it right or left. He has a lot of responsibility.”

Curie (1-2) started the season with lopsided losses to Fenwick and Nazareth, but doesn’t regret scheduling the Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic opponents.

“Playing Naz and Fenwick was great,” Wesley said. “With (Naz) being such a high-tier team, it gets us prepared for teams that are very discplined.”

Westinghouse (1-2) played without Army recruit DeAndre Wilborn (sprained knee), but hung tough early and trailed just 7-0 late in the first half.

Then the Condors scored twice in 52 seconds for a 21-0 halftime lead. Johns threw a 37-yard TD pass to Brooks, the Condors recovered a Westinghouse fumble on the kickoff and Rakeem Hinton ran 4 yards for the first of his two touchdown runs.

Westinghouse got within 21-6 on Rashard Moore’s strip and 63-yard fumble return midway through the third quarter, but Curie pulled away with three more scores.

”Everyone was clicking,” Johns said. “We started out fast from the get-go and didn’t wait till the second half.”