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BACK HOME: Penson Returns to Willowridge to Lead Alma Mater
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS KENDRON PENSON DID AFTER HE WAS HIRED AS WILLOWRIDGE’S FOOTBALL COACH IN APRIL WAS RETRIEVE PICTURES FROM A CABINET.
The pictures were of All-Americans who had played for the Eagles. Thurman Thomas. Grady Cavness. William Shankle. Charles Arbuckle. On and on. They were the same pictures that hung on the fieldhouse walls when Penson played left tackle in the mid-90’s.
“These kids now probably don’t understand or know about the dominant Willowridge tradition that we have here,” said Penson, referring to a program that won the 1982 Class 4A State Championship and counts former NFL players like Thomas and Arbuckle, among others, as alumni. “When I was here, we walked in and the first thing I saw were All-Americans who came through and paved the way. We’d lift weights and we’d see their pictures on the walls. When they came back to the school, the first thing they would do is go and look at their picture. It meant something to them.
"First thing I did was put them back up. Bringing back that tradition. Hopefully, they’ll come back.”
Willowridge is Penson’s first head coaching job. He has been coaching for 20 years, including stints at Fort Bend Marshall, Elkins, Chavez and, most recently, as assistant head coach/
offensive line coach/run game coordinator at Hightower.
“It’s a dream come true,” Penson said. “Being here with some of my peers I’ve known throughout the years and being able to help my community, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
In taking over at his alma mater, Penson, Class of 1995, is glorifying the past.
Edgar Glover, the late great former Willowridge principal, preached class and character when Penson was a student-athlete roaming the halls. Penson is adamant about bringing those traits onto the football field.
“Class,” meaning the best of its kind. “Character,” meaning being who you are, no matter where you are.
“It’s a way of life here,” said Penson, who holds weekly “character lessons” for his players.
Penson was busy this spring going to McAuliffe Middle School to boost the numbers in his program. Recruiting his kind of guys, Penson said.
What is his type of guy?
“First, he’s a student-athlete with great charisma,” Penson said. “He has to be a controlled soldier. That’s what we want. When it’s time for battle, he’s on and he’s ready to go. He’s fearless. But once that clock hits zeroes, he’s back to that student-athlete. Controlled aggression, controlled soldier.”
A considerable boon will be Penson’s son, Kendron Jr.
Kendron Jr. was a standout sophomore quarterback inleading Hightower to the regional finals last season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder completed 56.5 percent of his passes for 2,488 yards and 21 touchdowns to just five interceptions, while rushing for 257 yards and six more touchdowns.
Penson said it was his son’s decision whether to stay at Hightower or come to Willowridge.
“He was a varsity football player and varsity baseball player over there, and he gave that up to come play for his pops,” Penson said. “I love that.”
FBISD Football Preview: Fort Bend ISD Football Teams Look To Have Promising 2022 Seasons
Hightower
The Hurricanes went 11-3 last year finishing as 5A D1 Regional Finalist. Hightower makes the jump up to 6A this year and returns 7 starters on Offense and 5 players on Defense.
Key Returners: Junior RB Jeremy Payne (1,099 yards, 9 TDs), Senior CB Santana Wilson (27 total tackles, 2 fumbles caused, INT), Senior DE Treylon Beloney (18 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries), Junior DE Robert Staten Jr. (14 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 fumbles caused), Junior DT Dailon Ellis, Junior WR Zion Kearney.
Clements
Clements finished the season 7-4 last year and were 6A DII bi-district finalist. The Rangers return 7 starters on Offense and 4 starters on Defense.
Key Returners: Junior QB Gunner Chenier (1,164 yards, 8 TDs), Senior ILB Ferris Refai (95 tackles, 2 sacks), Senior WR Gabriel Moacyr, Senior DL Alex Aguirre, Senior ATH Michael Kasemervisz, Senior WR Joey Mongogna, Junior OL CarsonTalley, Junior OL Zack Yuan, Senior OL Lex Demeris, Senior OL Brian Navarro.
FB Travis
The Tigers had a record of 6-5 last year and finished as Bi-District Finalist. Travis returns 4 starters on Offense and 4 on Defense this year.
Key Returners: Senior WR Robert Sims (589 yards, 9 TDs), Senior LB Anthony Oliver (35 tackles, 2 fumbles caused, sack in 6 games), Junior LB Tomison Olorunfemi (51 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumbles caused), Junior WR Brent Johnson, Senior QB Dru Sissom, Junior OL Dawson Elliott, Sophomore RB Carmelo Ratliff.
FB Bush
Fort Bend Bush finished the season with a 5-6 record last year, making it as Bi-District Finalists in the playoffs. The Broncos return 7 starters on Offense and 6 on Defense.
Key Returners: Senior DB/WR Paul Omodia (26 tackles, INT), Senior DB/LB Bryce McDonald (43 tackles, 5 tackles for loss), Senior LB Preston Davis (24 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries in 4 games), Senior LB/DE Kosy Okoroafor (39 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks), Senior LB/DE Isaac Buoye (36 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 fumbles caused), Senior RB/LB Allen Aldridge III, Senior TE Broc Boutte, Senior OL/DT Ikenna Nwakor, Senior WR Jamon Cooley.
FB Dulles
Dulles finished last season with a 4-6 record. The Vikings return 5 starters on Offense and 7 on Defense.
Key Returners: Senior LB Trayveon Richard (44 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, INT), Junior DB/WR Carter Truscott (42 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 3 INTs), Senior DB Maxwell Cotton (40 tackles, INT), Senior LB Justin Ofoma, Senior RB Cole Hodges, Junior TE/DE Victor Aderungboye, Senior OL Chaseton Bobino, Senior OL/DL Tyler Clayton, Junior Jonah Talamantez, Senior DE/TE Anthony Garza.
FB Elkins
The Knights finished the season at 2-8. Elkins returns 8 starters on Offense and 6 starters on Defense.
Key Returners: Senior QB Isaiah Smith (803 yards, 3 TDs passing; 89 yards, 8 TDs rushing), Senior WR Jakson Hart (361 yards, 3 TDs), Senior RB/LB Avion Stewart, Senior WR/DB Assad Abbas.
Willowridge
Willowridge finished the season at 4-5. This year the Eagles start a New Era under new Head Coach Kendron Penson Sr., and return 4 starters on Offense and 5 on Defense.
Key Returners: Junior QB Kendron Penson Jr. (2,111 yards, 20 TDs passing; 5 TDs rushing), Senior RB/LB Tulio Nunez (led team in tackles), Junior WR/DB Marxquise Hayes (315 yards, 5 TDs), Junior WR/DB Travis Willis, Senior RT Issac Orellana.
Kempner
The Cougars finished the season with a 2-8 record last year. Kempner returns 8 starters on Offense and 7 on Defense.
Key Returners: Junior QB Javon Goss (672 yards, 8 TDs), Senior LB Chibuikem Ome (55 tackles), Senior DB Edrion Gray (4 INTs), Senior RB Abayomi Wiggins, Sophomore RB Luke Maxson, Senior LB Cody Pham.
FB Austin
Fort Bend Austin finished the season 0-10 last season. The Bulldogs return 7 starters on Offense and 8 on Defense.
Key Returners: Senior QB Jamal Franklin (373 yards, 4 TDs receiving; 229 yards, 4 TDs rushing), Senior WR Daniel Oloso (391 yards, 5 TDs), Junior DB Hugh Rolls (52 tackles), Senior OL Aries Stevens, Senior OLB Martell Jones, Senior WR/DB Jayson Tanifum, Senior DL Lotanna Ume-ezeoke, Sophomore WR Mason Cress, Senior RB Thusuan Gibbs, Senior DB Royell Salmon, Junior OL Da’leyon Benard, Junior OL Cooper Rodden.