Bolivar Football Player Ky’Juan Fentress Signs, Becomes Bethel University Wildcat

Friday, February 2, 2024, was a big day for Bolivar Central High School’s (BCHS) Ky’Juan Fentress who signed to become a Bethel University Wildcat football player. Ky’Juan was surrounded by his immediate family, as well as his extended family of football teammates who he referred to as “brothers” and coaches who applauded him for his success at being able to continue playing the sport he loves.

It was evident from the number of teammates who attended Ky’Juan’s signing that the relationships he built over the four years of playing at BCHS were strong and went beyond just being teammates.

Bolivar Central High School football Coach Hayden Williams was the first to speak and congratulated Ky’Juan on his accomplishments on the field as well as off the field, and how glad he was to get the chance to coach him. Ky’Juan credits Coach Williams for keeping him out of trouble.

“We had certain disagreements and stuff, but he helped me keep my head in the game,” said Ky’Juan.

Coach Williams later shared more about Ky’Juan.

“I had him all four years and have seen him grow through his work ethic. When he was a freshman, he would come in and he was a little behind everyone else. He was big physically, but technique wise, he was behind everyone else,” said Coach Williams, who has seen so much improvement as to how Ky’Juan approaches the game and his performance on the field. “His work ethic has improved every single year. I was happy with him. He is one of the best kids I’ve ever been around, I couldn’t be more proud of him just seeing him grow as a football player, student, as a man, and now as a father.”

His father, Roderick Fentress, shared that “Ky’Juan found a new love when he started playing football”. At BCHS, Ky’Juan played defensive end and running back. At Bethel, it is expected he will play either defensive end or defensive tackle. As far a Ky’Juan is concerned, he is just ready to play, and the position does not matter.

“It is just wherever they want to put me. I just want to play. I want to do business,” said Ky’Juan.

Ky’Juan’s other sport was baseball, but something changed when he started playing football in middle school. Football just became the preferred sport and he leaves his current team members ending his high school career finishing with the best year yet.

“I used to play baseball but quit to focus on football. Football just came naturally, because I was always bigger than other kids and I just love the sport,” said Ky’Juan, who shared about his last season as a BCHS Tiger. “It [playing senior year] was amazing. We finished with a 6 to 4 regular, better than my last three years here, and it was just an amazing, good win season. Everybody did good. Everybody achieved something this year.”

The support for Ky’Juan not only comes from his teammates and coaches, but also his family members who are proud of his success on the football field and the opportunities he will have in college.

“I am very, very proud of my grandson. I was overwhelmed and happy for him to go to college. I just want him to go and enjoy life, get all that he can get, have fun, and get his education. I thank God for all of this and ask God to continue to help us and bless us, so he will be able to continue on his journey,” said Janet Brownlee, Ky’Juan’s grandmother, who shared how she supported him, so he could reach his goal. “I was the babysitter [for her great grandchild], so my daughter could just support him 100 percent. I wanted to make sure he would continue going to school.”

His mother, Dominique Lockett, shared she “loves watching her son play”.

His father has enjoyed watching his son play and mature.

“Watching him excel and become a better young man, a better leader, something you need to learn how to do, and football has given that to him,” said Mr. Fentress.

“He is a goal-oriented person and sets goals for himself. I just want him to get the best education he can get and athletically, I just want him to be able to accomplish his goals,” said Coach Williams who plans to be in the stands cheering him on at some of the football games.

Ky’Juan will be joined at Bethel University by fellow BCHS football Tiger Carson Howell whom he has played alongside in baseball and football.

“We [Carson Howell] have been talking about this since we have been little since we started playing baseball. We always wanted to play on the same team together our whole life, and now we are in college and are going to play on the same team,” said Ky’Juan, who is looking forward to playing with Howell but will also miss his other teammates. “[I am going to miss] the football team and the impact they made on me. I love them boys and hope they do better than we did this year.”

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