KINGWOOD – For some, putting up the most yards, or scoring the most touchdowns, or earning the most tackles, is how they make their name on the football field.
For others, simply being a good teammate and doing things the right way can reap benefits equal to those of being a statistical leader. By doing what they’re called to do, helping others learn the ways of a program, and setting a positive example of what it means to be part of a team, some players find that success comes to them without having the ball in their hands.
That describes Preston High School’s Blake Jennings, who has become one of the more vocal leaders on the team, leading by example, according to his head coach Mark Deep.
“Blake has worked incredibly hard all offseason, showing up for every 6 a.m. lift three times a week,” Deep said. “Then he would return in the evening to help the younger guys with their work. He has shown an elevated work ethic this year and is developing into an outstanding team leader for us by the way he sets an example for the rest of his teammates.”
Deep says what stands out about Jennings is his willingness to put the team first and do whatever it takes to help the team win. Last season, Jennings played defensive end and center for the Knights because they needed someone to fill in for the role on the offensive line. He arrived in Kingwood as a quarterback but quickly changed his role for the benefit of the team. Deep even says he could play more roles this year, potentially lining up at linebacker.
“My dad has always told me there’s no ‘I’ in team,” Jennings said. “You can’t be selfish and be a part of a team. In my freshman year, I came in as a quarterback and broke my leg, so I was willing to do anything I could to get back on the field. Coach approached me and mentioned we needed someone to play center, and I stepped up.”
The Knights will have their former center back in 2025, allowing Jennings to fill in elsewhere. As far as his preparation for the upcoming season, Blake says his focus was heavily on building the team chemistry and bond.
“I’m really just trying to get closer with my teammates in general,” he said. “We worked out every single week this summer and didn’t take a day off. We were always trying to do something. Whether it’s getting out to the campground for the day or finding a field to work on the offense, our goal is to work hard together but also enjoy each other while we are around.”
One thing Jennings says he enjoys about being a Knight is representing not only his school, but the entire county of Preston.
“Putting on the jersey and going out there on Friday night is one of the best feelings ever,” he said. “You’re not just representing a school, or a town, or an area, you’re representing the entire county and everyone who has ever been tied to Preston. Every time I put on the uniform, I think of all the players who came before me and the impact they made on the program. It’s like one huge family to me, and I’m proud to be able to play a small role in it all.”
