The Westbury Huskies made it back to the promised land in 2021, punching their first ticket to the playoffs since 2012.
Westbury Head Football Coach Jarvis Kelley said that accomplishment was an especially meaningful one for the Huskies football program. He now hopes it can be a building block for the years to come.
That victory feeling!!! Hope you enjoyed the ice bath @CoachColbert11.. program changing win. Playoff bound Huskies!!!! 🏈🏈 #HardWorkPaysOff. pic.twitter.com/YT30FNRFwX
— Westbury Football (@WestburyFB) October 30, 2021
“For the community and for the school itself, [making the playoffs] was very special,” Kelley said. “The kids really deserved it. It’s just a great feeling knowing the work paid off in the end, and we’re looking to build on that success this year.”
This season will be Kelley’s first leading the Huskies after Darrell Colbert, Sr. departed to take the head job at Beaumont United in his hometown.
However, Kelley will need no introduction after serving as the defensive coordinator last season. Kelley knows the area well (he graduated from Lamar High School) and said he can’t wait to lead at a school he grew up playing against.
“A school like Westbury provides tradition,” Kelley said. “Being a head coach now, it’s pretty much a dream come true. These kids put the work in every day, and I know we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
Looking at the talent on the field for the Huskies this season, their backfield will be a strength. Both quarterback Rickey Golightly Jr. (494 passing yards; 226 rushing yards) and running back Anthony Bravo Jr. (625 rushing yards) return after earning all-district honors a year ago.
In addition to those two playmakers offensively, Kelley also noted defensive end Terry Warren Jr. as another player he expects to be a team leader for the Huskies this season.
#newbury @1CoachKelley u have us flying to the ball like that🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/YvU8Ezd5K5
— Terry Warren Jr. (@33chaanel) August 13, 2022
“These guys are the standard,” Kelley said. “They put in the work every single day. They grind all day and night. They’re always doing the right thing. Those three guys, they’re going to lead us.”
In addition to those three, safety Kahmar Pratt is regarded as one of the top players at his position in the Houston area after earning first team all-district honors last season. And on the other side of the ball, offensive linemen Ricardo Burris is another returning first team all-district selection for the Huskies.
The presence of Burris up front blocking for Golightly and Bravo will be key as Kelley looks for the Huskies to assert their will offensively.
“Husky football is built on pounding the rock,” Kelley said. “When you’re looking at a Husky football player, you’re looking at a kid that’s going to run through a brick wall if he has to. We’re a brand of brothers. We coach and play together.”
What a beautiful sight…🍽#ManTheShip🚢#PoundTheRock😤#TheBury🔵⚪️#GoHuskies🏈 pic.twitter.com/mQUUuMQaJ2
— Westbury Football (@WestburyFB) August 7, 2022
Westbury will be in for a challenge in the always competitive District 18-6A. But after earning that elusive playoff berth last season, the Huskies are out to prove that 2021 wasn’t just a fluke occurrence.
“We finished in fourth place, and a lot of people don’t believe that we belong,” Kelley said. “We have a major chip on our shoulder. And for us, we just want to climb from the fourth spot to the top spot. The challenges? We’re here for it.”
2022 Westbury Huskies Football Schedule
(Bold Designates District 18-6A Matchup)
8/26 at Houston Madison
9/2 vs. Fort Bend Austin
9/8 at Lamar Consolidated
9/16 vs. Brazoswood
9/24 vs. Houston Sam Houston
9/30 at Houston Chavez
10/6 vs. Houston Lamar
10/13 at Houston Bellaire
10/22 vs. Houston Heights
10/28 at Houston Westside
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