He’s the first African-American starting QB in school history, hoping to win 2nd state title
Kingsley Ehiemua was one of seven quarterbacks in Dallas-Fort Worth to lead his team to a state championship in 2017.
But he might be under the radar the most.
Ehiemua is a senior at Fort Worth Trinity Valley – in his second season after moving from FW Southwest – and is the first African-American to start at QB in program history.
“I want to represent African-American kids everywhere and as much as possible,” the 6-foot-4 prospect said. “It means a lot and I appreciate coach Aaron Mattox for giving me an opportunity to play last year.”
Ehiemua arrived at TVS in the spring of 2017, won the quarterback battle and started in every game for the Trojans, who went on to win the Southwest Preparatory Conference state title – their ninth state title overall.
“He came in last year and helped us win the SPC so his talent on the field really helps us excel and win football games,” Mattox said.“When he arrived, everyone liked him and clicked with him real quickly, and made our team very positive.
“Hard for him to not win the job – he’s tall and can make every throw – but the question was could he lead our team and it was pretty evident early on.”
Born in Houston, Ehiemua moved to DFW when he was 2 and now lives with his mom and step-dad.
“My mom and step-dad have been very supportive of me,” Ehiemua said.
His biological father lives in Nigeria, but remains in close contact.
“My mom and dad split up when I was 2, but I still talk to him every day,” Ehiemua said. “Most of my dad’s family lives there. I also have a lot of family that lives in Houston.
“My dad has never seen me play football, but we always talk about it. I send him pictures and video of my games, and we’ll talk about how I played and what I can improve on. He knows a lot of football and can’t wait for me to go to college so he can hopefully come see me play.”
The Trojans went 8-2 last season. Ehiemua accounted for 1,500 yards and 13 TDs. Trinity Valley is 2-2 this year and 1-0 in conference play after beating Oklahoma Casady 41-13.
“He came in the spring and right away he fit in,” Mattox said. “We would throw him in the rotation and he immediately started communicating and telling the receivers how to run their routes. He’s adapted well with our team chemistry and is an encourager. He’s another coach on the field.”
Ehiemua has always played quarterback and been around the game his entire life.
“My oldest brother played football and I have an uncle that coaches at OD Wyatt so I was always around the game,” he said. “I started playing when I was 4 and was always quarterback because I was the first kid that could remember all the plays.”
“He has an accurate arm and can make any throw on the field,” Mattox added. “He’s a hard worker and is always pushing himself to get better.I say the quarterback has to be the toughest player on the field and Kingsley is definitely that.”
Ehiemua says his goal is to play Division I football and major in Kinesiology.
He went to summer camps at Baylor, Tulsa, TCU, A&M Commerce and Southwestern Oklahoma State, which is his only offer.
He picked Tulsa as the one that stood out the most.
But before he can think college, he’s focused on 2018 and leading the Trojans to hopefully their 10th state football title.
They host Austin St. Andrew’s, 7 p.m. on Friday.
“We have the opportunity to win every game here on out,”Mattox said.
Jackson is the leading rusher with 456 yards and 8 TDs and leading tackler with 41. He also has four tackles for loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles.
“We played some of the larger TAPPS schools just to get our feet wet, but with Kingsley returning and our other senior Isaiah Jackson back, we’re starting to pick up where we need to be and I feel like we have a good chance in every game,” Mattox said.
This story was originally published September 25, 2018 at 9:38 AM.