The quarterback scans a crowded field, ball in hand. The line of men in front of him can only protect him for so long. He has two choices: either rush the ball or pass it. Ultimately, he throws it to one of his receivers, who easily dodges the defensive opposition. With no one to stop him, the receiver storms into the endzone for a touchdown. The team celebrates, the crowd erupts, and six more points are now on the board.
Senior wide receiver, Kai Jenkins, has received numerous pass touchdowns throughout his football career at Diamond Bar High School. He averages 122 receiving yards per game for six total touchdowns so far this season.
“I feel pretty good; I feel like we are still figuring out things as we go on in this season, so far so good, we got to keep our heads up and play our Brahma Football,” Jenkins said.
Introduced to football by his father at a young age, Jenkins regularly played football with his father and cousins throughout his childhood. Although he originally had more of an inclination toward basketball, by the time he began his freshman year, he started taking football more seriously.
“I love the energy and the passion, the attention to detail in this sport, being in tune with the team, everyone around and just being hyped,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins helped kick off the season with two straight wins, including a 43-36 win over Chino in which he recorded ten receptions, 137 yards, and 2 touchdowns. However, the season was not without issues. The team would suffer losses to Covina and El Toro, the latter of which Jenkins had to sit out due to an ankle injury. However, Jenkins says he doesn’t let adversity stop him, instead applying the lessons he learns from it to everyday life.
“If something bad were to happen, you got to keep moving forward,” Jenkins said. “[In] this game of football, bad plays happen and you got to keep playing the game ‘til it’s over.”
Despite Jenkins’ multiple achievements throughout his career at DBHS, including All-CIF, All-SGV First Team, All-League, and most importantly being named a Los Angeles Rams High School All-Star, he still seeks improvement, setting several goals for this season: reaching 1,000 yards receiving and making a long CIF playoff run.
“I feel like I have a lot to prove and I wanna get far with this sport,” Jenkins said. “So far I do appreciate everything that I have done and all glory to God, though.”
With high expectations for this football season, and experience attending a boot camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Jenkins is currently looking to receive a scholarship to further his academic and athletic career at the collegiate level.