ABOVE: Fairmont senior running back Elijah Johnson was named the 2024 All-Sentinel Football Player of the Year on Friday.

FAIRMONT – Coming off a standout senior season that saw him finish second on Fairmont High School’s all-time single season rushing yards list, Cardinals senior running back Elijah Johnson was named the All-Sentinel Football Player of the Year for the second consecutive season on Friday.

While Johnson has earned his second consecutive Player of the Year, he has maintained his humble demeanor as he gears up to head to the University of St. Thomas next season. However, not before an All-Star game appearance alongside teammate Hank Artz.

“I think it was cool to play with my class,” said Johnson. “Since my four years of playing varsity, this is definitely the tightest we’ve been, so I just think it’s cool that I got to play with them.”

Heading to St. Thomas after his senior season where he added 200 yards to his statistical output from last season, Johnson plans to maintain and improve upon his routine and work ethic as he gears up for a Division 1 appearance.

“Love what the coaches were about, love that their culture was about,” said Johnson. “I also went to a game and that really checked off everything I needed, seeing them play, yeah, and then kind of the culture overall.”

In his final season as a Cardinal, Johnson ran for 1,671 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, while rushing for 26 touchdowns for a season total of 29 touchdowns. That brought his career total to 3,786 yards and 51 total touchdowns, two of which were off the kick return.

“I thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity to carry the rock,” said Johnson. “I thank my line for taking care of stuff up front and I just took care of the rest. It’s easy to put up those kind stats with when you’re running behind those kind of people.”

Johnson also secured the 2024 MVP for the Cardinals, the South Central District Player of the Year and was selected to the South Central District All-Conference team, the All-Star Football game and was picked as an All-State player coming off of this year’s playoff run.

“It’s a blessing I’m glad I get to represent Fairmont up there,” said Johnson. “I’ve got to thank everyone for the opportunities I’ve been given so I can show my talents and get nominated for the All-Star game.”

Johnson credits his success and dedication to the coaching staff and teammates at Fairmont high school and how they all came together to develop as players, teammates and men and plans to carry those lessons into his collegiate career.

“We’re always working hard at Fairmont, fighting on,” said Johnson. “Stay in that lab, keep working, I will try to carry some leadership skills up there, get my voice heard and work with my boys up there.”

This performance added one more game to his high school career, gaining him a slot in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association All Star game on December 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium.