The transition to a 6A school in Kansas has brought a new level of responsibility and pressure to starter Varsity running back Marquan Washington. With more attention on him and greater expectations, he’s making new progress along the way. With the people that trust in his abilities, the focus on a bright future has only escalated.
“Coming to 6A football in Kansas, there is a lot of heat, a lot of pressure,” Washington said. “I put a lot of things on my back, especially for football. Having more people depend on me, and that trust that I got a good future ahead of me.”
Washington’s transition from a smaller school to a bigger one has impacted his views on football. How he plans to play in the future, while bettering himself as a player, and playing in college as well.
“I went to a smaller school. This year’s class of 2024 would be their first graduating class. It was more of a newer school. It was very good,” Washington said. “I had a lot of friends I grew up with there, but I guess I moved for the better… Coming to a more suburban area, I got to watch the way I act, control my anger, things like that, and stay on top of my work. It’s definitely different.”
Washington strongly felt the brotherhood of his football teammates, and felt the energy of the crowds and supporters as he played.
“I love the team. They’re big brothers to me and they’re showing me a different way,” Washington said. “I’m not really a vocal leader. I grew up being more of a take action, and people follow after me, but I’m becoming more of a vocal leader, learning from the senior guys, and I’m looking forward to doing it next year.”
Washington also recognized his coaches for the help that they’ve given him as he worked towards bettering himself as a player, a leader and as a person.
“My coaches are definitely working on my attitude,” Washington said. “I can have a bad attitude at times, and they definitely been helping me control that, especially on the field, I’ve been actually changing. I’m more of a guy that leads by example through his play, but now I’m leading through example, through my voice too now. So the coaches depend on me with stuff like that. To be a leader.”
Washington’s coaches recognize him as a leader, someone who is helping out new and younger players.
“Throughout the season, Marquan has kind of grown into one of our leaders on the team,” Coach Dawson Johannes said. “Even as a junior, he stepped into a leadership role. He serves as an example in practice for someone who always goes hard, shows the younger guys how to do things and how we do things at South, and I’m excited for what he does the rest of the season, and as he goes into his senior year.”
Coach Will Griffin shared his thoughts on Washington’s character and contributions to the team, reflecting on his impacts both on and off the field.
“When Marquan came to South, he’s a well mannered kid, raised up in a good home. Mother and father, being a role model to him,” Griffin said. “I’ve known him for about a year, but when he came here, he brought toughness to the team and that’s what we really needed, you know, from him. Great kid, good grades, and tough on the field… He’s having a good season so far, he’s doing well.”
Washington’s favorite thing about being a football player is the enthusiasm that comes with playing. Being an inspiration to others is important to him.
“It’s just the energy,” Washington said, “I get to inspire kids my age and people who are from where I am from, and stuff like that. I want to be a big inspiration from where I come from… I want to show people a different way.”
Washington expressed his love for the team, and how much close bonds meant to him, especially coming from where he grew up, and how close he was with people that he grew up with.
“It’s a big brotherhood, I came from where people are tight,” Washington said. “… It’s just brotherhood, and when I came out here, it was the same energy. Everybody treats each other with respect and loves each other, so yeah. I love it.”
