Joey Jansen Leading Kamiakin Football To State
The Kamiakin football team has made it back to the state tournament for the 2nd straight year and they've done it thanks to a great season from their quarterback.
But, just getting back on the field was all Joey Jansen really wanted to do this year.
The Kamiakin Braves have been flat out dominant this year -- going undefeated and putting up over 400 points in ten games.
Leading this Goliath of an offense has been a senior quarterback who fits more the roll of David.
Kamiakin head coach Scott Biglin says, "You know when I met Joey, of course you look at him, you're not in awed at him at all. He's a small guy, doesn't have the biggest muscles in the world, but when he gets on that field it's like he's larger than life."
His game may be larger than life, but two years ago, Jansen didn't even know if he'd be playing football his senior year.
KEPR Action News Sports Reporter John Collett says, "Here on the baseball diamond was where it all changed for Joey Jansen. As a sophomore, Jansen made the varsity baseball team, but while warming up for the opening game of the year, he tore his ACL, and it was injury that forced him to sit out from any varsity competition for almost a year."
Kamiakin wide receiver A.J. Griffiths says, "I watched it happen and my heart just stopped."
Kamiakin quarterback Joey Jansen adds, "It sucked man, I hated sitting out and watching people that's one of the reasons I had to come back and play intramural basketball. I hated just sitting and watching those guys play."
For many athletes, a torn ACL would plague the rest of your sports career, but for Jansen it created motivation.
Jansen says, "I came into the weight room and worked out a lot, just to build my knee and be ready for this football season, so it helped a lot."
And it's a drive that was infectious to his teammates.
Griffiths says, "He woke me up every morning to lift and get ready for this season, every morning at 8 o'clock he'd call me to make sure I was there."
Since bouncing back from the injury, Jansen ended the regular season throwing for over 2,000 yards and a Big Nine leading 28 touchdowns and his team is rallying behind him.
Griffiths says, "I really just want to dedicate this year to him because he's coming off the injury and not many people can bounce back the way he did."
In his final year, Jansen has some loft expectations and plans to go out with a bang.
Jansen says, "The perfect way would be a state championship in football, a state championship in basketball and of course a state championship in baseball. We've wanted to do it, the triple crown, we've always wanted to do it."
The Braves football team is moving in the right direction to capture one of those state championships.
And with a driven leader like Joey Jansen at the helm, you got to like their chances.
Kamiakin opens up the state tournament on Saturday afternoon when they host Kelso.
But, just getting back on the field was all Joey Jansen really wanted to do this year.
The Kamiakin Braves have been flat out dominant this year -- going undefeated and putting up over 400 points in ten games.
Leading this Goliath of an offense has been a senior quarterback who fits more the roll of David.
Kamiakin head coach Scott Biglin says, "You know when I met Joey, of course you look at him, you're not in awed at him at all. He's a small guy, doesn't have the biggest muscles in the world, but when he gets on that field it's like he's larger than life."
His game may be larger than life, but two years ago, Jansen didn't even know if he'd be playing football his senior year.
KEPR Action News Sports Reporter John Collett says, "Here on the baseball diamond was where it all changed for Joey Jansen. As a sophomore, Jansen made the varsity baseball team, but while warming up for the opening game of the year, he tore his ACL, and it was injury that forced him to sit out from any varsity competition for almost a year."
Kamiakin wide receiver A.J. Griffiths says, "I watched it happen and my heart just stopped."
Kamiakin quarterback Joey Jansen adds, "It sucked man, I hated sitting out and watching people that's one of the reasons I had to come back and play intramural basketball. I hated just sitting and watching those guys play."
For many athletes, a torn ACL would plague the rest of your sports career, but for Jansen it created motivation.
Jansen says, "I came into the weight room and worked out a lot, just to build my knee and be ready for this football season, so it helped a lot."
And it's a drive that was infectious to his teammates.
Griffiths says, "He woke me up every morning to lift and get ready for this season, every morning at 8 o'clock he'd call me to make sure I was there."
Since bouncing back from the injury, Jansen ended the regular season throwing for over 2,000 yards and a Big Nine leading 28 touchdowns and his team is rallying behind him.
Griffiths says, "I really just want to dedicate this year to him because he's coming off the injury and not many people can bounce back the way he did."
In his final year, Jansen has some loft expectations and plans to go out with a bang.
Jansen says, "The perfect way would be a state championship in football, a state championship in basketball and of course a state championship in baseball. We've wanted to do it, the triple crown, we've always wanted to do it."
The Braves football team is moving in the right direction to capture one of those state championships.
And with a driven leader like Joey Jansen at the helm, you got to like their chances.
Kamiakin opens up the state tournament on Saturday afternoon when they host Kelso.
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