Heights sophomore K’Vonte Baker takes City League by storm

Heights has had a strong football program for a while now with eight straight playoff appearances, a state championship in 2010 and state-championship losses in 2009 and 2011.

But even against that backdrop, what the Falcons are doing this season has caught us off guard.

In wins over Olathe North and Wichita Northwest, Heights rolled up 737 rushing yards on 63 carries. Sophomore quarterback K’Vonte Baker went wild in the opener against Olathe North, which Heights won 41-21, by rushing for 251 yards on 16 carries. Then everyone got into the act against Northwest, as Heights rushed for 531 yards in a 53-33 win.

And here’s a secret: Heights coach Terry Harrison says the Falcons are going to be dangerous in the passing game, too. They just haven’t had to be so far.

“Quite honestly, K’Vonte can do anything you ask him to do,” Harrison said of his 5-foot-9, 165-pound quarterback. “Ultimately, people are going to challenge us to throw the ball, which is something we do every day at practice. And K’Vonte is more than capable. He has a live arm — he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air — and he’s accurate, to boot.”

Baker, who plays basketball and is a sprinter and long jumper on the track team, is described by Harrison as humble and, after talking to him this week, I’m going with that.

Baker was friendly, polite and also nervous about doing an interview, something he’s new to.

“But it’s different on the football field,” he said. “Doing an interview isn’t my comfort zone. It makes me happy to do it, but I’m just nervous. I don’t know why.”

Baker doesn’t mince words when it comes to his football performance. He just turned 16 and looks like one of those rare athletes who don’t come along too often.

He is teaming with senior Jalani Williams, sophomore Ontario Russell and junior fullback Dujuan Scott to give the Falcons’ option offense a variety of weapons. In the win over Northwest last week, Williams led the way with 148 yards on eight carries. Russell had 127 yards on 12 carries; Baker 117 on 15 and Scott 94 on 18.

Heights is averaging 11.7 yards per carry.

Harrison said he knew there was something special about the Falcons’ backfield during offseason workouts, but he was careful not to expect too much.

“I think every coach is optimistic in the offseason and I would venture to say 100 percent of the coaches see the best in their kids when hopes are so high,” Harrison said. “At the same time, when you have young guys you’re not quite sure because they are unproven at the varsity level. They might have had successful years as freshmen or on JV teams, but that doesn’t always come to fruition as a varsity player.”

Harrison is working just as hard on not letting his players get caught up in their fast start as he is making sure there’s no let-up going forward.

“We recognize that the two teams we’ve beaten so far are very good programs and well-respected,” he said. “But we also realize we have a long way to go.”

Option offenses have complexity, and Harrison said Heights’ option is no different. That makes what Baker has been able to do so far that much more impressive.

“I think people lose sight of how difficult this offense can be to run well because what’s trending now is the spread (offense),” Harrison said. “The stuff that we’re putting on K’Vonte’s shoulders is as complex as any offense you can run. He has to put us in the right play, make multiple reads and make decisions quickly. It’s unbelievable how smart and athletic he is. As athletic as he is, he’s just as intelligent.”

Baker said he realized Heights had something special in the backfield when the Falcons attended a Pittsburg State camp in June.

“I just knew we were going to have a good team,” he said. “The biggest thing is the team chemistry we have. Without that, I don’t think it would be like this.”

Baker eventually ran out of things to say, which is when his grandmother, Linda Johnson, took the phone.

“He’s a quiet person,” she explained. “Actually, a really humble kid who is having trouble with all the attention he’s getting. I tell him to just sit back, thank God and give praise. We are joyous. We’re not boastful, but we are definitely joyous right now.”

That quiet kid, though, disappears underneath a helmet and pads. That’s when Baker makes more noise than a toddler who finds pots and pans.

“He’s different on the field,” Johnson said. “When he’s around the house, he’s everybody’s normal child. Laid back, on his telephone, on the YouTube and just doing kid things. When he gets on the field, it’s like all of the kid goes away. He’s straight to business.”

Baker has played quarterback since he was in the first grade. He has innate talent. He was made for these moments.

“When I’m on the football field, everything else goes away,” Baker said. “It’s where I’m the most comfortable.”

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Heights sophomore K’Vonte Baker takes City League by storm."