Throughout his long and distinguished career as a high school football coach, R.A. Johnson demonstrated a knack for getting to the point with an economy of words.

But he also could expand on a subject eloquently with his soft-spoken manner.

That’s why it was always interesting to get his take on a player, team or game. In short, Johnson always has been, as we say in the newspaper business, a great interview.

With that in mind, I was curious to get his obversations on prolific Reagan senior running back Marcus Wright, who is No. 2 on the city career-rushing list.

“His stats say he has to be right up there with the top running backs who have ever played in San Antonio,” Johnson said Wednesday.

While that’s hardly a profound observation, it speaks to Johnson’s ability to cut to the chase. But as noted earlier, the man won’t ever shortchange you or leave you hanging.

Now 65 and enjoying retirement, Johnson has kept up with Wright’s blitz on the city’s career rushing list the past two seasons.

So here’s the skinny: Johnson said Wright, who has rushed for 6,678 yards in his three varsity seasons, compares favorably to former Judson All-State pick Jerod Douglas.

Jerrell Wilkerson is the city’s No. 1 all-time rusher, gaining 7,249 yards in four seasons (2001-04) at Clark. Douglas, who played three seasons (1991-93) at Judson, is No. 3 with 6,188 yards.

Wright has rushed for 2,953 yards this season and needs only 15 yards to break the San Antonio single-season record of 2,967, set by Douglas in 1992.

Wright is averaging an amazing 9.8 yards and has scored 40 touchdowns this season.

“Like Douglas, Wright has a lot of speed and is stronger than you might think,” Johnson said. “I respected Douglas as a football player, but when I saw him run in a track meet, my respect for him increased.

“You can see certain things in a track meet, like heart and determination. Douglas had that and that’s why he was special. Marcus reminds me of him.”

Like Douglas, Marcus is small in stature but has the strength to wade through tacklers and break free. A dedicated weight lifter, Wright said he squats 535 pounds. Combine that strength with speed and you’ve got a special running back.

“He has great escapability,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen numerous situations where there wasn’t really a hole to run through, but with his exceptional speed, he hit the line and bounced outside for a long gain. He can make a positive play out of a negative play.”

Reagan (10-2) plays Los Fresnos (10-2) in the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs at 1 p.m. Saturday at Victoria Memorial Stadium.

The winner plays the Judson-La Joya survivor in the state quarterfinals next week.

“I’m looking for Reagan to win this week, so I can watch Marcus play next week,” Johnson said.

Johnson compiled a 105-48-2 record in 14 seasons at Sam Houston before retiring in the spring of 1997. The Cherokees advanced to the playoffs 11 times, including eight in a row from 1986-93, during Johnson’s tenure.

Sam Houston also won eight Class 5A district championships and 33 consecutive league games under Johnson, a 1961 Jefferson graduate.

Johnson came out of retirement to serve on Denny Peel’s staff at Fox Tech as secondary coach in 2004 and 2005.  He worked part time at the San Antonio Independent School District’s Spring Sports Complex on game nights this season.

He also watched games regularly at Comalander Stadium.

“I try to occupy myself with numerous other activities,” said Johnson, an avid golfer. “But I still like going to high school games. I haven’t gotten to the point where I can go as a spectator, though. I still sit there and watch with a critical eye, and wonder what I would do in a particular situation if I were coaching.”

And what if Johnson had a Marcus Wright at running back?

“We could score from anywhere on the field,” he said.

That’s Johnson. Short and to the point.