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| In the mid first century, Seneca, a Roman Philosopher once said, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." About 20 centuries later, another philosopher, Penn State's Joe Paterno said, "The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital." While you can't control much in life, you can control how well you prepare, and this fact is what fuels Owasso, Oklahoma star quarterback, Kason Key. Preparation is at the heart of this talented 6-foot-4, 195-pounds skilled passer. As a sophomore last season, he was thrust into the starting quarterback position after an injury sidelined the team's starting QB. "When I was a sophomore during pre season scrimmage, the starting quarterback broke his collarbone and that's it. I stepped into the leader role. I showed the team I could take them to the playoffs and anything they needed me to do," says Kason. Even though the original starting QB recovered, Kason's ability to be prepared and perform sealed for him the starter job. Kason took over and didn't let go. "Last year was hard. Now it's easier. Now, I'm really used to it and I know what I need to do every game and give it my all." Kason, excited and ready for to be the starting signal caller, didn't see it as an award but more an opportunity because the position wasn't given to him, he earned it by being ready. If he wasn't ready, it wouldn't have been his. He earned it by his relentless will to just be prepared and focus on the game he loves. "Football is life for me. I'm a friendly guy. Don't like to have any enemies; shake off the haters. You just have to do what you do everyday. Keep your goal in front of you and know what you're striving for everyday," says Kason. What Kason Key strives for everyday is to just get better. "He's a kid that's on task; he's got great work ethics. His goals and desires are cleared to him and he works for it," says Mr. Key. | ||
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| Kason is all about the moment. He doesn't focus on things too far ahead. He wants to focus on the immediate play, the present game, playoffs, winning state over anything else. Kason is the type of quarterback who relentlessly figures out how to beat the defense, that's one of the reasons why math is his favorite subject. "I like math because nothing is always the same. You find ways to figure it out. I love passing ball so I think of ways to get my receiver opened." Finding ways to win is what motivates Kason. To the junior signal caller being a leader and a winner means anticipating defensive schemes, and it's impossible to do that if he's not ready. Kason, who recently turned 18, was born in Lubbick, Texas. When Kason was in the sixth grade, his family moved to the small town of Owasso, Oklahoma, located about ten minutes outside of Tulsa. "We're not the biggest town. We go swimming, fishing, just always outside. During winter, we're inside. We moved around a lot cause my dad was in flight school." Kason's family is a football family. "We're a close family; spend lots of time together. We all play football." Kason's 15 year-old brother, Coleman, is a freshman quarterback who is already beginning to make a name for himself. His 12 year-old brother, Carter, is a lineman. His father, Scott Key, a former guard for University of Central Oklahoma's football team, was his first coach. "I started coaching him at four years old in flag football. He had a unique focus to lead that team, even at that age. It wasn't overwhelming athletic ability, just natural leader and unwavering focus," says Scott. Kason attributes much of his success to his father's support and encouragement. "He tells me to just to keep working hard everyday. There's never a time you can slack off and take a play off, and to show coaches how hard you work; be a good leader" says Kason. His mother, Julie, is more a basketball fan. "She loves basketball. She loves me playing football because she knows how much I love it," Kason says. Kason is already being courted by top schools including, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M and Tulsa. "It's always good to see letters in the mail, going on trips and stuff, meeting different people and seeing different schools. OSU, Arkansas and Tulsa were really fun. I really like the coaches I talked to so far and looking forward to getting to know them better." Kason finished as the #2 QB at the NUC Top Prospect camp and is getting lots of attention, but the focused quarterback is all about this season and his team. "Would love to play college football, but I would love to win state; to be number one."
dreams out," says Mr. Key. Though Kason is only in his junior year, he's continuing to take the recruiting process in stride, as his parents continue to navigate the recruiting process. "I learned it's a lot more work to it than we imagined; a lot of work on the parents and the child's part," says his mother. "Grades are important and how you conduct yourself. It's been so much fun watching him getting stuff in the mail." | ||
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| Familiar with sophisticated college defenses used by teams in state, Kason knows that if he continues to prepare as he's used to doing, he will be an asset to any school's program. "No one comes outside of high school is ready to play college ball. He has to learn to be what the coach needs him to be. Teach him the next step, and he'll beat you there," says Mr. Key, who is also a volunteer football coach in Owasso. The pro-style quarterback sees himself in Arkansas' QB Ryan Mallet. "He's the exact quarterback I am. He loves to throw the ball and tears defensives apart. I don't really watch pro sports. I just watch college. I feel college is way more exciting than pro sports. I don't have a favorite college team. I don't watch one team a week; I just like watching the games." Right now, Kason is focusing on finishing his junior strong both on the field and in the classroom. "School is great. I'm making straight A's; just trying to do whatever I can to get to college." As his college choices increase, Kason knows what he's looking for in a school. "Definitely atmosphere; got to be comfortable; got to like the coaches," says the focused signal caller. "We want him to get a great education, a place where he's comfortable where he can contribute to the team," says his father. Whatever the future holds, Kason is not anxious. "I just tell him to be real; be himself. When in doubt, stick with what you know. Don't waver from that and everything will be good," says Julie. With football season wrapped up, Kason is looking forward to playing basketball, finishing up his junior year and preparing once again to hit the football field in his senior season, knowing that his best game is still ahead of him. |
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