For West Chester University graduate Devon Johnson, the main mission as football coach at Imhotep Charter is to help his players overcome their circumstances, writes Joseph Santoliquito for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

The results of this approach speak for themselves. Despite not having a practice field, Imhotep has made it to the state championship once again, making it the school’s overall seventh trip to the finals. Not many think the Panthers will win, but the team is accustomed to being underestimated. 

“We get written off all the time and it’s frustrating,” said Johnson. “We’ve won one state title [2015]. We face challenges no other programs face. We get accused of being an all-star team. All-star teams practice on million-dollar turf facilities. We don’t.” 

This is Johnson’s third year as head coach at Imhotep and overall, his tenth year coaching. In this role, he is also a teacher, counselor, psychologist, and guardian to many of his players. But he never stops pushing them to be their best selves. 

“My players are blessed to play a game that may hopefully change their lives,” he said. “It’s what keeps me motivated to come back every year.” 

Read more about Devon Johnson in The Philadelphia Inquirer.