Refugio freshman Kelan Brown takes Texas high school football by storm
REFUGIO, Texas (BVM) — Being a starting quarterback at any level can be a difficult job. Let alone when you’re not expected to start. But Refugio High School freshman Kelan Brown has shattered any doubt that he can play the position.
As a freshman, Brown wasn’t even supposed to be at the varsity level until the playoffs. But starting quarterback Caleb Hesseltine suffered a high ankle sprain before the beginning of the playoffs. With the starting quarterback down, Brown got the nod to start and he impressed in his first game.
“I was excited,” Brown said. “Being a freshman QB, being ‘the man’ [on the field], it’s a big responsibility.”
Brown took the responsibility very seriously in his first start against district opponent Kenedy High School. The Bobcats would win 62-0, but one of the most impressive things about the victory was Kelan Brown’s performance. In just the first half, he completed 11-of-12 passes for 244 yards and tossed seven touchdown passes.
In the following game, he would have another impressive outing. This time he completed 10-of-13 passes (including 9-for-9 to start the game) for 182 yards and four TDs, all in the first half.
Refugio freshman Kelan Brown passed for 182 yards and 4 TDs in the Bobcats’ 68-0 win over Freer. pic.twitter.com/1J5q7AwL9n
— Mike Forman (@mikeforman21) November 6, 2021
He’d follow up with another monster first half, this time passing for 342 yards and seven TDs and completing 8 out of 10 passes in a playoff matchup against Santa Maria High School.
Refugio would win two more games before being knocked out of the playoffs in the fourth round by Shiner High School.
With the Bobcats now preparing for the 2022 season, it’ll be good to look back and see that his family and those close to him know that Brown had what it took to be a starting quarterback at such a young age. One of those people that knew he had what it took early was his head coach, Jason Herring.
“I’ve known Kelan since he was little because he is in my son’s class,” Coach Herring said. “Kelan is like a son to me, honestly. It’s closer to a father-son relationship probably than to a traditional coach-student athlete [relationship]. I knew he was special from the minute I saw him throw a football. He has got an unbelievable cannon for an arm. [The ball] comes out of his hand as fast as any quarterback I ever coached in 30 years.”
Coach Herring has led the Bobcats to three state titles and he’ll look to help lead his teams to more success now with Brown under center.
“What makes Kelan so special is he’s the complete package,” Herring said. “He is an unbelievable young man and one of the hardest workers in the class. He is a great competitor and he’s got tons of ability.”
Along with Coach Herring in his corner, Kelan has a great family to lean on when it comes to sports. His uncle, Brian Bonner, played at TCU for former head coach Gary Patterson, his father played football and his mom was a state champion in track and field. The athletic ability in the family is there and Brown is set to further that athletic journey for the family.
Another person that he looks up to is Patrick Mahomes. Kelan feels like Mahomes and himself have a lot in common.
“Me and him have a lot in common,” Brown said. “We both can move around in the pocket and scramble.”
With his freshman season now behind him, Brown will aim to improve his skill set. He aspires to play football at the college level and potentially play on Sundays. For now, Brown will try to help lead Refugio football to another state title.
“[Continue] to lead our team to winning as much as possible and continue to lead and be a leader,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to [playing] in state next year.”
“He deserves anything and everything that happens to him,” Herring said. “The sky’s the limit for him and I’m so grateful he’s here at Refugio.”
