FOOTBALL TAB -- Cover story: EW's KK Best ready to handle leadership role

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 20, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

The conversation went something like this:

"You're hard-headed, I told you to put him at quarterback," said Eastern Wayne varsity head football coach Bubba Williams of then-freshman KK Best.

"Well, he doesn't want to play quarterback," said then-head JV coach Phil Gray.

"Who cares what he wants? He's going to play quarterback," Williams retorted.

Gray told Best the move was made to help the team succeed and not to showcase individual talent. But the freshman remained head strong, refused to embrace his role and quit three weeks before the season ended.

Was his career over?

The answer came the next season.

Mitch Pike won the quarterback starting job and Best returned to the backfield. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and found the end on 10 occasions as the Warriors advanced to the eastern regional 3-A championship for the first time in program history.

But the joy of toting the rock soon ended.

Pike transferred in the offseason when his father, a high-ranking officer in the Air Force, received new orders. The departure meant that once again Best would have to assume the quarterback role.

"Rumors went around about Mitch," Best said. "As soon as it got back to Coach Williams, he broke it to me during the spring. It was a big step. Honestly, I really didn't think I could do it, but I pulled it off somehow. Yeah, I wanted to stay in the backfield, but I had to buckle down and do what I had to for the team."

He did.

Best accounted for 2,500-plus yards of total offense, scored 30 touchdowns and guided Eastern Wayne to its second straight 11-win campaign. The season ended with a second consecutive loss to Havelock in the eastern 3-A regional final.

*

Early in his sophomore year, Best barely sniffed the end zone during his first couple of games. He continued to get stuffed by strong defenses and the frustration grew practice by practice, week by week.

Best continued to work.

His "breakout game" occurred against Greene Central.

"Honestly, when I first got out there, I thought these are some big boys man," he laughed.

When the night ended, Best had rambled for career highs of 257 yards and three touchdowns -- on just 11 carries.

"The best game I ever had," he said. "I got some confidence in my game a little bit. I didn't fear anyone after that."

Eastern Wayne eventually rose to 5-0 -- the best start in program history. Best grew as the season progressed and the Warriors strung together six straight wins until their season-ending loss at eventual state champion Havelock.

*

When the preseason rolled around for 2014, Best had to become more knowledgeable of the game. He had solid blockers to follow as a sophomore, but this time he had to execute in a different capacity.

"It was a lot more difficult than I thought it was," Best said. "I thought I knew a lot of because of the running back and linebacker (positions). But it was a whole other level with man coverage, all the zone reads and option. It threw me off a lot."

In fact, Best said he really didn't settle into the quarterback role until the Warriors' second-round playoff game at Southern Nash.

His scrambling ability helped the Warriors sustain drives and he connected with his receivers at key moments. Those traits had been his biggest weapons throughout the previous 11 outings as he executed the scheme designed by the coaching staff, who put the skill players in position to succeed.

Best also knew his teammates' tendencies since they all grew up together through middle school. They considered each other brothers off of the field.

"Man, it was tough," Best said.

*

Realizing his leadership role would increase this fall, Best sat down with his older brother, Lamar.

The two had a long talk.

A dynamic player of his own, Lamar enjoyed a stellar senior campaign that helped the Warriors earn the program's second regular-season championship -- and first in nearly three decades.

"He said it was more pressure on him, just like it should be on me, but said if I just let it go ... let God, let your athletic ability work," KK said. "(Now) I have to take the leader role. Last year, I didn't have to call out my friends. Now, I have to say it like it is.

"If I'm doing something wrong, let me know. That's the only way we're going to get better. We have to challenge each other."

Gray has noticed his senior's maturity.

Especially this season.

One recent morning, Gray and his coaching staff grabbed the water coolers and headed toward the gymnasium to get ice. They heard a car enter the parking lot near the football field.

It was Best. His stereo pumped out the bass as he drove behind the gym toward the fieldhouse.

Gray looked his watch which read 6 a.m. -- one hour before practice.

"That shows he has matured as a person and he's a little more focused this year than he was in years past," smile Gray, who remembered Best would arrive about 10 minutes before practice started last year.

"The key for us to be successful will be for KK to stay calm under pressure, not to take it all within himself, give the ball to other people and stay healthy."

*

The football field is Best's playground.

One he steps across the line, buckles his chinstrap and begins to stretch, all of his worries from the week vanish.

He's in his sanctuary.

"My getaway," Best grinned as he rubbed his beard.

"Those Friday nights are like another life for just two or three hours. It's amazing to be out there and feel (free). It's just another world for me. I love it."

Gray says Best's teammates share the same mentality as if they're kids in a candy store when they put on their pads and step onto the field.

They too, consider Friday nights as an opportunity to escape their troubles that constantly hound them on a daily basis. He reminds the players to play with emotion, but to temper that aggression when they make a solid hit -- either behind the line or scrimmage or in the open field.

Despite losing so many seniors, Best likes his team's chances.

The Warriors have built a winning foundation, rejuvenated the community and gained confidence -- not only as individuals, but as a team. Pride has resurfaced in the program.

"I want another rematch with Havelock ... the game (last year) didn't go like it was supposed to," Best said. "I think we have the potential if everybody is dedicated and work hard. I've been seeing that we have the kids to do it, but they have to mature really fast.

"They just have to work, step up to the plate and be ready to play."

And show their "Best."