Bret and Rob, the only children of Bob and Debbie Johnson, played baseball, basketball and football as youngsters. When he had time, Bob coached both in youth league competition.
Rob's first love was baseball. He played shortstop and pitched in the Mission Viejo South Little League, with Solliday, the Capistrano Valley quarterback.
"I always knew he was a great baseball and basketball player," Solliday said. "Back then, I had no idea we'd face each other in high school football."
Bob Johnson worked hard to keep his dual roles as father and coach separate. It hasn't always been easy.
"I'm always on him," he said. "Sometimes I go home, or I'll be driving in the car, and I'll say to myself, 'Doggone, lay off.' I'm coaching the only way I know how. He has to consider the source.
"Sometimes I'll come home from school on Sunday, and Rob will want to know what the coaches have planned for the week. I'll say, 'Don't worry about it. You'll find out Monday.' I'm a father at home and a coach at school."
Nevertheless, there is pressure.
Bob Johnson wants every pass thrown within the frame of a receiver's torso. He doesn't want receivers to have to reach. He wants his son to drop back faster to avoid sacks. He wants his release higher, to take better advantage of his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame.
There is no room for inaccuracy in El Toro's precise offense.
"He wants perfection," Rob Johnson said. "And I'm not perfect. That's good. It helps me get better."
Some believe he's good enough already.
"He's got great poise, great size, makes good decisions and has a strong arm," Solliday said.
Said Mission Viejo Coach Mike Rush: "You have to respect him. He appears to be fairly mobile. We have to try to destroy his timing. That's our challenge."
Rob Johnson's challenge is not to avoid his brother's shadow, but to embrace it or even enhance it by playing well himself.
"He was such a big name in this county," Rob said. "I think as I get older, when people mention Bret's name, they'll mention mine, too."
ROB JOHNSON'S SEASON
Opponent Att. Cmp. Yds. TD Int. W. Valley (Pa.) West 22 15 188 2 0 Fountain Valley 8 7 138 3 0 Downey 30 21 299 3 2 Santa Monica 25 19 226 2 0 Antelope Valley 26 18 212 4 0 Capistrano Valley 19 12 142 1 1 Irvine 30 22 275 3 1 Dana Hills 22 16 210 3 1 Totals 182 130 1,690 21 5
