VYPE Klein August 2022

football

Klein forest

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a K L E I N F O R E S T L O O K I N G F O R F O C U S , C O N S I S T E N C Y T O R E A C H U LT I MA T E G O A L THE NEXT STEP

Klein Forest’s Parker Jenkins, Jossue Rios, Jelani Watkins, Chandler Williams, Brad Spence, Tivrell Hollings and Robert Graves

years .”

fond of i t last year. I got i t cleared, so that ’s the bet .” Over the past several months , Klein Forest has been the darl ings of the recrui ting world. The big three of Brad Spence (Arkansas), Parker Jenkins and Jelani Watkins col lected dozens of offers each over the offseason. “We have made great strides and may have turned the corner as a program, but we have to prove i t on the f ield,” Wi lson said. “We haven’ t done any thing yet . We haven’ t won the games we need to win. “We have to keep our kids from getting complacent or comfor table. Al l of these offers don’ t translate to wins on the footbal l f ield. We have a goal here to win games , make the playoffs and do something that hasn’ t been done here in

THE REBUILD OF KLEIN FOREST FOOTBALL CONTINUES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF COACH JOHNATHAN WILSON, A FORMER GOLDEN EAGLE HIMSELF. HE’S INVESTED AND IT SHOWS. The Eagles made huge strides last year, winning f ive games and one in district play. Upon beating district-mate Tombal l Memorial , he l ived up to his promise. If Klein Forest won a district game, he vowed to his players that he would shave his head and he held up to that . The bet has changed in 2022 . “I told the guys that i f we made the playoffs this year, I would shave my head… absolutely,” Wi lson, who was named a Dave Campbel l ‘s Texas Footbal l Magazine Top 40 Coaches Under 40 said. “I had to clear i t wi th my wi fe because she wasn’ t that

The strength of Klein Forest is obviously speed. Jenkins and Watkins are el i te sprinters on the

Jelani Watkins

“It ’s unbel ievable to be around this cal iber of talent ,” Wi lson said. “It ’s amazing to see what they can do on the f ield, the track and in the weight room. I ’m happy to be a par t of their road to success . We also have a real ly talented Class of 2025, who wi l l see a lot of playing time this year.” The Eagles’ mantra is to go 1-0 every week . “ The great teams don’ t l isten to the outside noise,” he said. “We have to stay focused and consistent… not getting too high or too low during the season. We must stay focused on the end goal .” The haircut .

Golden Eagles track and f ield team. Jenkins wi l l run the bal l , whi le Watkins is the deep threat downf ield. A quar terback must emerge, who wi l l be protected by al l-district , second-team selection Jossue Rios . Chandler Wi l l iams is a rangy tight end, who could have a breakout season. Defensively, the edge at l inebacker wi l l be contained by the Spence brothers – Brad and sophomore Trent – who are big-time talents . Tivrel l Hol l ings and Rober t Graves wi l l anchor the defensive l ine, whi le Chris Minor wi l l patrol the secondary.

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