Katy ISD grads shine in Bayou Bowl

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 6/11/22

“This was the greatest opportunity you could ever have to cap off your high school career,” Kelly said. “Any kid that is coming out of high school, this is such a great opportunity for them and something I’ll always be thankful for.”

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Katy ISD grads shine in Bayou Bowl

Posted

ROSENBURG — Saturday gave an opportunity for four Katy ISD graduates to put on for their team one last time and the quadruplet did not disappoint.

Fordham Parks, Bryce Shaink, Jordan Kelly and Ja’Kobe Hinton all strapped up their pads for one last time before they start their collegiate careers as the four played in the Bayou Bowl at Traylor Stadium in Rosenberg.

The four put on a show for the crowd, with Kelly making a big catch early in the game, Parks playing defense and special teams, Shaink making a number of plays defensively and Hinton holding his own against some of Houston’s top defensive lineman.

“This was the greatest opportunity you could ever have to cap off your high school career,” Kelly said. “Any kid that is coming out of high school, this is such a great opportunity for them and something I’ll always be thankful for.”

Parks was all over the field for the West team. He played in the slot on offense, making plays in the backing and being a key part in the West’s defensive backfield.

“it was a really good game and I had a fun week meeting new people,” Parks said. “It really just felt good to hit people again. It had been a while and I’m just glad I got the chance to do that again before I head to college.”

Kelly, a Stephen F Austin signee was huge in all areas for the West team despite a 24-20 loss.

Kelly was a threat deep in the game when he had the chance to go after the ball, hauling in a 46-yard reception in the first quarter and drawing a pass interference in the fourth quarter.

“The game was just one part of this week,” Kelly said. ”I feel like this entire week really helped prepare me for what I need to do in college as well. It really pushed me in the direction I need to go. I think that its important for anyone who makes this game to know to use everything you do smartly, so that when you get to college, you can get on that field and your already ready to go.”

While none of the players on the West team wanted to lose, they realize that the event is bigger than the game and they all hope to take important lessons from it.

“It was like a little pregame for college,” Shaink said. “It was fun, just being able to get out there with the boys the whole week. It’s something I’ll remember for sure. You always wanted to win, but at the end of the day it’s not about that. It’s about the time you spend throughout this whole week. It was really fun.”

And they are all glad that they got one final chance to rep Katy ISD.

“We worked all four years to get to this point, so playing in this all-star game, getting this chance, it was a great feeling,” Hinton said. “It was awesome just to come out one last time and cap things off here in Houston before heading to college.”

Katy ISD, sports, Bryce Shaink, Jared Kelly, Fordham Parks, football