Panthers forced to plan on not having standout

Coming off a 1,400-yard debut in 2015, the ceiling for the Colleyville Heritage football team’s junior wide receiver Ke’Von Ahmad seemed as high as anyone thought it could be in 2016.

But health is the X-factor for any athlete. A deep thigh bruise sidelined Ahmad for most of the last third of the season. He played a little facing Fort Worth Carter-Riverside, then missed the season finale against Richland and playoff opener against Fort Worth Arlington Heights.

While there was improvement leading up to this past Saturday’s Class 5A Division I Region I area playoff against Justin Northwest, head coach Joe Wills realized that he had to craft a game plan that either was not going to have Ahmad or be limited in how he used him.

“You’re taking one of our most explosive players out of the lineup,” Willis said. “We’ve dealt with it. But he’s a guy we definitely depended on.”

Ahmad played half the season. He was banged up early in the District 8-5A opener against Fort Worth Dunbar and then was held out the following week against Fort Worth Eastern Hills as a precaution.

Despite his absence, Ahmad still led the team in receiving yards (31-660) and was tied for the lead in touchdowns (nine) and averaged 21.3 yards per reception.

But the replacement ...

That could be in sophomore Kam Brown, who has taken advantage of being the go-to player. Already holding an offer from SMU, Brown (6-0, 160) developed with 11 receptions in the last four games and five touchdowns to tied Ahmad for the team lead.

“So far, the good thing is that he’s done a good job of running his routes and getting the release,” Willis said. “He’s been working really hard with [offensive coordinator] Clark Harrell and just vastly improved.”

Regardless of the performance against Northwest, a game played after the early holiday deadline, the balance of the season and the offseason should be the time where the growth blossoms. Willis said the key will go beyond the ball skills. It’s fine to have slender wide receivers who can run fast. But the game now demands that the wide receiver play tougher.

“The next step in their progression is being physical,” Willis said. “When they compete, they’re going to have to be stronger and break tackles and learn to get that extra. That’s what’s going to be a part of his game. I want him to go to the [summer college] camps and compete. That helps you get better.”

In this sport where reps are a 365-day mindset, Willis will work with his skill players on throwing them tennis balls and ping pong balls. The principle behind it is to have them look the small object into their hands and become more fluid catching it. Willis is also encouraging them to juggle.

“Anything that will improve your hand-eye coordination is a good thing,” Willis said.

Turning the tide?

So much of the trend in today’s youth sports climate is to specialize in one sport. The earlier the better, to become as good as one can be, has been the belief.

But maybe an opposing trend is gaining momentum. Willis said he wants every player in his program to be playing another sport in at least his freshman and sophomore years. The more sports an athlete plays, the better he will react in any competitive environment.

“There’s always something else you could be doing,” Willis said. “If you’re specializing in ninth grade, that’s too early. I think you can make that decision by the time you start your junior year. We’re hearing from doctors and others who know that specializing is not a good thing. If you stick to one sport, you’re only developing one set of movements and not helping your overall development.”

This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Panthers forced to plan on not having standout."