A bet paid off: Devin Johnson and Corinthian Graham help lead Gainesville High to 4-1 start

GAINESVILLE – Devin Johnson and Corinthian Graham knew they took a leap of faith in transferring from P.K. Yonge to Gainesville High.

The Gainesville Hurricanes had the infrastructure in place with former Florida Gators football players Ian Scott and Earnest Graham acting as head coach and offensive coordinator, respectively.

However, the ‘Canes also had just one win in the last two seasons combined.

But just five games into the 2024 season and Johnson and Graham’s bet has already paid out.

GHS advanced to 4-1 Thursday night with a 33-15 win over Forest at Citizens Field. The ‘Canes led wire-to-wire and built a 27-0 lead in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats scored twice and recovered an onside kick, but it wasn’t enough.

The four wins are now the most for the program since 2021, when GHS went 8-3 and won a district title.

“The amount of effort, the work, and the commitment that our guys have put into things turning around. The best feedback you can get is to see the results on the field,” Scott said.

A new bell cow

Johnson has earned that title with his season so far. He ran for over 500 yards and four TDs in the first four games. He ran for another three scores on Thursday.

Scott said Johnson’s arrival has allowed GHS to preserve leads and salt away games. Not only is GHS winning this year, but its three wins in Alachua County came by a margin of 25.

“It makes us a different football team than we were last year. We couldn’t run the ball at all, and it is high school football,” Scott said. “It doesn’t matter how great your skill position guys are, you got to be able to run the football in high school.”

Lightning to Johnson’s thunder

Corinthian is Earnest’s much younger brother. Earnest brings more than most brothers in the sense he was an all-SEC running back at Florida and played in the NFL for nine seasons.

“He’s been through all the places. He knows how the game goes, knows how the game should be played,” Corinthian said. “He really set me on the right path.”

Another Graham across town sits in Corinthian’s ear. Myles, a freshman at Florida, starred at linebacker and running back for Buchholz in 2023.

Corinthian called Myles a “older brother” and said the two talk nearly every day.

Arduous road ahead

GHS’ four wins thus far came against teams with a 2-15 combined record.

The second half of the schedule won’t be nearly as kind.

City rivalry games vs. Buchholz and Eastside (two playoff teams) await.

There are also district games at Leesburg and Vanguard – two other postseason contenders.

Scott said the team’s lone loss this season – last week vs. Lecanto – served as a learning experience for players and coaches.

“Last year was a learning experience, and every week this year, we’re learning something new,” he said. “We’ve learned how to play with a little success. We’re learning how to play through some adversity.”

Regardless, Graham is pleased to play for a program with the right culture.

“Nobody likes to lose, but it feels good to be a part of a culture that wants to win and is hardworking every day,” he said. “It really pushes you to your best no matter what.”

GHS has a bye week next before its rivalry with Buchholz on Oct. 4. Forest, meanwhile, heads to South Lake next Friday.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him by email at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville High tops Ocala Forest in FHSAA Florida high school football