Athlete of the Month: Malachi Johnston

“Strong minded, dedicated, hardworking, and plays angry.” These are the words Head Football Coach Nate Mendoza chose to describe senior offensive lineman and team captain Malachi Johnston, who has been selected to be this edition of The Forge Athlete of the Month. After starting football at age nine, Johnston quickly fell in love with the sport saying, “I think part of it is the camaraderie, it’s a very special sport. and the brotherhood that comes with football is something I’ve really loved and I can’t really get away from.” As the only current senior to have played all four years on varsity, Johnston is greatly valued on the team not only for his playing ability but also for his leadership. Mendoza stated that the, “…number one thing he brings is leadership; he’s a really good player as we well know but more than that he’s a leader of our team and he kind of sets the tone for the other boys.” Mendoza expanded on this point saying, “…he makes sure everything is going straight and that everybody is doing what the coaches need so we really appreciate that from him.” 

As his senior season is already well underway, Johnston reflected on the last four years spent with the Dons. “It’s kind of crazy… I’ve been on varsity since my freshman year and I’ve watched a lot of guys graduate… a lot of guys who I got to play with and who taught me a lot so it’s pretty surreal for it to be my turn.” However bittersweet the end of this chapter may be for Johnston, the future is bright for him as he has already committed to Cal Poly in order to further his athletic and academic career. As a Division 1 program, Cal Poly is sure to be an ideal spot for Johnston to take his game to the next level. “I thought it was the best option for me and my family…it’s close, it’s good football and it’s a great opportunity,” Johnston said of his decision.

Right now, however, Johnston is all in for the Dons and believes that his last year with the squad will prove to be a success. When asked about his aspirations for the season, Johnston replied, “Hopefully a good playoff run, I think that we have everything that we need. I believe it can happen, it’s just whether we can put everything together and figure it out.” Regardless of how this year pans out, Johnston’s love for football is sure to endure as he hopes to continue playing for as long as possible before becoming a coach one day. Overall, wherever the game takes him, it is clear that Johnston’s hard work and dedication will make him a valuable asset to any team as the future looms bright.